Robert Darden, M.A.
Professor, Journalism, Public Relations and New Media | Baylor University
Waco, TX, UNITED STATES
Darden is a professor in the department of journalism, PR & new media. He directs Baylor's Black Gospel Music Restoration Project.
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Biography
Darden is the author of two dozen books, most recently: Nothing But Love in God’s Water, Volume II: Black Sacred Music from Sit-In to Resurrection City (Penn State University Press, 2016); Nothing But Love in God’s Water, Volume I: Black Sacred Music from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement (Penn State University Press, 2014); Jesus Laughed: The Redemptive Power of Humor (Abingdon Press, 2008); Reluctant Prophets and Clueless Disciples: Understanding the Bible by Telling Its Stories (Abingdon Press, 2006); and People Get Ready! A New History of Black Gospel Music (Continuum/Bloomsbury, 2004).
He founded the Black Gospel Music Restoration Project, the world’s largest initiative to identify, acquire, digitize, categorize and make accessible gospel music from gospel’s Golden Age (1945-1970). The BGMRP provides the gospel music for the Smithsonian’s new National Museum of African American History & Culture.
At Baylor, he has won numerous teaching and research awards, including The Cornelia Marschall Smith Award as Outstanding Professor; the Baylor University Diversity Award; Outstanding Research Professor, College of Arts & Sciences Award; and Baylor Centennial Award.
He is a popular speaker for seminars, conferences and events. His writings have appeared in publications ranging from The New York Times to the Oxford American. He has been featured in hundreds of radio and television programs, including Fresh Air with Terri Gross (NPR), 1A with Joshua Johnson, All Things Considered (NPR), CSPAN, BBC World Service, BBC Outlook, Austrian Public Broadcasting, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. He has also been published in The New Grove Dictionary of American Music, The Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity, the World Book Encyclopedia, the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress and is a frequent contributor to Huffington Post and Christianity Today Online.
Darden spent 20 years as the Senior Editor for The Wittenburg Door and another 15 years as Gospel Music Editor for Billboard Magazine. In 2016, he created the radio insert “Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments” for KWBU-FM Waco. Darden researches, writes, and records the weekly show, which now appears on eight NPR stations, including KERA-FM Dallas.
Areas of Expertise (7)
African-American Gospel Music
Civil Rights Movement Music on B Sides of Gospel Recordings
African American Museum in D.C.
Black Gospel Music Restoration Project
Journalism
Music
New Media
Education (2)
University of North Texas: M.A., Journalism
Baylor University: B.A., Bachelor of Science in Education (Journalism/Art)
Media Appearances (54)
How can we say thanks? Reflections on the influence of Andrae Crouch
Baptist News Global online
2023-03-20
This reflection on Baylor’s annual Pruit Symposium on the influence of Andrae Crouch also acknowledges the work of Baylor journalism professor Robert Darden, M.A., who foundedthe Black Gospel Music Preservation Project to preserve and digitize the music of black gospel groups and choirs.
Baylor symposium, concerts honor gospel great Andráe Crouch
Waco Tribune-Herald online
2023-03-15
Baylor journalism professor Robert Darden, M.A., who has written about Black gospel music for much of his career and who founded the Black Gospel Music Preservation Project at Baylor, is quoted in this article about Baylor’s Pruit Memorial Symposium that focuses this year on the music and impact of the late gospel musician Andráe Crouch.
'Mad Man in Waco': How David Koresh went from aspiring rock star to religious sect leader
KWTX-TV online
2023-02-21
VIDEO: Robert Darden, author of "Mad Man in Waco" and professor of journalism at Baylor, described Branch Davidian sect leader David Koresh as a fiercely influential and manipulative leader who used scripture to prey on confused followers.
#MusicMonday: Preserving the Vanishing Legacy of Black Gospel Music
Texas Lifestyle Magazine online
2023-02-20
This article about the history of Black gospel music includes the preservation work of Baylor journalism professor Robert Darden, founder of The Black Gospel Music Preservation Program at Baylor, which identifies old recordings of black gospel, digitizes them, scans the album covers and catalogs their findings. Around 17,000 items have been digitized and preserved so far.
The simplicity of Nativity spirituals: ‘Let’s Start With a Child’
The Dallas Morning News online
2022-12-24
Robert Darden, professor of journalism and founder of Baylor’s Black Gospel Music Preservation Project, writes about how the narratives of the shepherds - as sung in spirituals - continue to stir us so profoundly at Christmas.
Gospel trailblazers the Staples Jr Singers: ‘We were singing about all the hardship and hurt’
The Guardian online
2022-11-11
This article about growing secular interest in gospel music mentions Baylor’s Robert Darden, who oversees the Black Gospel Music Preservation Project, which preserves, records and catalogues the most at-risk music from the Black gospel music tradition.
Imagine if all of our churches began to truly welcome strangers
The Dallas Morning News online
2022-04-10
In this Living Our Faith column, journalism professor Robert Darden writes about the importance of welcoming visitors in churches citing one of his favorite spirituals, “Welcome Table,” one of the earliest known songs of the unknown and unnamed poets of slavery and one of the many protest spirituals adapted by the marching heroes of the modern civil rights movement.
“When Will You Make an End?”
Talkhouse online
2022-04-01
Journalism professor Robert Darden, founder of Baylor’s Black Gospel Music Restoration Project, is featured in David Licata’s documentary called “A Life’s Work” about people engaged with projects or research they may not see completed in their lifetime.
Focusing on the kingdom of God instead of empire can free white people from being so defensive, Meeks says at Baylor seminar on race and the white church
Baptist News Global
2022-02-21
A symposium hosted by Greg Garrett, Ph.D., professor of English, at Truett Seminary also featured conversations with Beth Allison Barr, Ph.D., professor of history and associate dean in the Graduate School, bout white evangelical Christianity, and Robert Darden, professor of journalism, about how gospel music has been a root for change.
Robert Darden
Baylor Connections radio
2022-02-04
Baylor’s Black Gospel Music Restoration Project preserves classic Black Gospel music—pieces that were at risk of being lost forever—in digital form for future generations. In this Baylor Connections, journalism professor Robert Darden, founder of the Black Gospel Music Restoration Project, updates listeners on ways that the project’s reach has expanded in recent months, from a new listening center on the Baylor campus to involvement with a PBS documentary and more.
Waco Family & Faith Film Festival celebrates third year in new home
Waco Tribune-Herald online
2022-02-02
Tyrha Lindsey-Warren, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor of marketing and founder of the Waco Family & Faith Film Festival, explains why she started the festival. Robert Darden, professor in the department of journalism, public relations and new media, is featured in the documentary “A Life’s Work,” which was shown at the festival.
The Source: Gospel Music In The Civil Rights Movement 'From Sit-Ins To Resurrection City'
Texas Public Radio radio
2022-01-17
AUDIO: Robert Darden, professor of journalism, author and founder of the Black Gospel Music Restoration Project at Baylor, is a guest on The Source for a discussion of Black gospel music and how its various forms helped unite people, forge identities and create art.
Sidney Poitier rarely spoke of that dark night in Mississippi
The Dallas Morning News online
2022-01-08
Robert F. Darden, professor of journalism, public relations and new media, author and founder of Baylor’s Black Gospel Music Restoration Project, writes about Sidney Poitier and Harry Belafonte, two of the unsung heroes of the civil rights movement.
What gospel singers can teach the church about unity
The Dallas Morning News online
2021-12-05
As denominations split over politics, Robert Darden, professor of journalism and founder and director of the Black Gospel Music Restoration Project, suggests in this column that the American church should turn to the gospel traditions in African American churches.
Baylor's Black Gospel Archive and Listening Center now open to the public
Baptist News Global
2021-11-18
Robert Darden, professor in the department of journalism, public relations and new media, explains his inspiration for establishing the Black Gospel Archive and Listening Center in Moody Memorial Library.
Black Gospel Archive & Listening Center housed on Baylor’s campus
Fox 44 News online
2021-11-12
A new state-of-the art listening center and Gospel music archive now has a permanent collection on Baylor’s campus. Robert Darden, M.A., professor of journalism, public relations and new media, is quoted in this article regarding his work over the last 15 years on this project.
Baylor's Moody Memorial Library opens new Gospel Archive & Listening Center
KXXV-TV online
2021-11-12
Baylor opened a new state-of-the-art Gospel Archive and Listening Center at Moody Memorial Library. Baylor hosted an unveiling ceremony Friday morning to show off the new facility and the large collection of black gospel music now on display. Robert Darden, M.A., professor of journalism, public relations and new media, is quoted in this article regarding this new space.
How Mahalia Jackson’s legacy lives on through Gospel music and the fight for Civil Rights
The Philadelphia Sun online
2021-04-02
Robert F. Darden, professor of journalism, public relations and new media at Baylor and director of Black Gospel Music Restoration Project, said that the late legendary singer Mahalia Jackson believed her vocal gift came from God, and “that unshakable belief provided the moral foundation that enabled her to resist calls to sing in nightclubs, or even arenas, and record overtly pop music, jazz or the blues.”
Black Gospel Greatness Is Being AUDIO: Saved In A Baylor University Archive
KERA Art&Seek online
2021-02-15
The Black Gospel Music Restoration Project, the largest digital archive of gospel recordings, is founded and directed by Robert Darden, professor of journalism, and the project is featured in a two-part PBS documentary.
America’s nurses could use some mercy now
The Dallas Morning News online
2020-12-06
Hospital nurses need some mercy as hospitals operate at maximum capacity during COVID-19. Despite the demands on them, they manage a willing, pleasant spirit — and plead with people to wear masks, writes Robert Darden, professor of journalism, public relations and new media, in this essay.
‘Freedom songs’ make a reprise during this year of protests
Baptist News Global online
2020-11-12
Journalism professor Robert Darden, founder and director of Baylor's Black Gospel Music Restoration Project, is quoted in this article about “freedom songs” or “protest spirituals” as part of demonstrations over the murder of George Floyd and previously in the #MeToo, Civil Rights and labor movements.
Mitch with Robert Darden, Baylor University
KRLD-AM "Minute with Mitch" online
2020-06-24
AUDIO: Baylor journalism professor Robert F. Darden, founder and director of the Black Gospel Music Restoration Project, is interviewed about the project and how music can define a movement.
The George Floyd demonstrations turned into a movement when the protesters began to sing
The Dallas Morning News online
2020-06-14
Baylor journalism professor Robert F. Darden, founder and director of the Black Gospel Music Restoration Project, penned this column about the use of music in protests around the world over the killing of George Floyd and how each culture's musical traditions suddenly focused the grief and rage about the police brutality into transformational singing and desire to bring about real change.
The Songs and Scriptures of George Floyd’s Houston Funeral
Christianity Today online
2020-06-09
Baylor gospel music scholar Bob Darden, professor of journalism and founder of Baylor's Black Gospel Music Restoration Project, is quoted about the liturgy of Tuesday’s homegoing service for George Floyd, which reflected the Christian landscape of his hometown and the rich legacy of gospel music in the Black church.
Now is the time to sing songs of hope, in defiance of our fear and frustration
DallasNews.com online
2020-04-05
Baylor journalism professor Robert F. Darden, founder and director of Baylor’s Black Gospel Music Restoration Project, writes about the great spirituals that gave hope to slaves and freedom riders, and how this time of isolation is the best time for all to sing these spirituals loudly.
Three Baylor Professors Designated Master Teachers
Baylor Media and Public Relations online
2020-03-31
Professor Robert Darden, Dr. Anne-Marie Schultz and Dr. Charles Weaver granted Baylor University’s highest honor for teaching excellence with the designation as Master Teachers.
Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments – “God Is Love” and “Walkin’ and Talkin’ With Jesus”
KWBU-FM (Waco/NPR) radio
2020-03-29
AUDIO: On this episode of Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments, Baylor journalism professor Robert Darden features Gospel Unlimited’s “God Is Love” and “Walkin’ and Talkin’ With Jesus,” an under-appreciated gem from the Say Amen, Somebody soundtrack.
Event highlights history of black gospel music
Killeen Daily Herald print
2020-02-24
Baylor journalism professor Robert Darden, founder of the Black Gospel Music Restoration Project at Baylor, was the guest speaker at “Rejoice! The Evolution of Black Gospel Music,” an event at the Bell County Museum.
Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments – “Let God Abide”
KWBU-FM (Waco/NPR) radio
2020-02-23
On this episode of Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments, Baylor journalism professor Robert Darden features the smooth-voiced baritone Robert Anderson, a gospel singer who could croon with the best.
Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments – “What He's Done for Me”
KWBU-FM (Waco/NPR) radio
2020-02-23
On this episode of Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments, Baylor journalism professor Robert Darden features the otherwise unknown Capitol City Star Singers, who channel the O’Jays on the up-tempo gospel song, “What He’s Done for Me.”
Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments – “Joy, Joy, Joy”
KWBU-FM (Waco/NPR) radio
2020-02-23
On this episode of Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments, Baylor journalism professor Robert Darden features Little Richard, who pours as much gleeful energy into the children’s spiritual “Joy, Joy, Joy” as he does into any of his better-known pop hits.
Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments – “I’ve Been Born Again”
KWBU-FM (Waco/NPR) radio
2020-02-16
On this episode of Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments, Baylor journalism professor Robert Darden features “I’ve Been Born Again,” a hard gospel song from the golden age of the Blind Boys of Alabama, featuring Clarence Fountain.
Baylor Connections: Robert Darden, Professor and Founder of the Black Gospel Music Restoration Project
KWBU-FM (Waco/NPR) radio
2020-02-14
On Baylor Connections, Baylor journalism professor Robert Darden, founder of Baylor’s Black Gospel Music Restoration Project, joins host Derek Smith for a conversation about the project that houses more than 14,000 digital copies of classic black gospel music songs and albums, as well as black gospel music’s underappreciated role in the Civil Rights movement.
Celebrating Black History: Saving Sacred Music
KXXV-TV (Waco, Temple, Killeen/ABC) tv
2020-02-03
Baylor professors Horace Maxile, Ph.D., and Robert Darden are interviewed for this story about Baylor’s Black Gospel Music Restoration Project to preserve sacred music – and its message – from gospel’s Golden Age (1945-1970).
Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments – “Freedom’s Highway”
KWBU-FM (Waco/NPR) radio
2020-02-02
On this episode of Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments, Baylor journalism professor Robert Darden features The Staple Singers, who wrote and recorded “Freedom Highway” during the legendary Selma to Montgomery March in 1965.
Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments – “Oh Freedom”
KWBU-FM (Waco/NPR) radio
2020-02-02
On this episode of Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments, Baylor journalism professor Robert Darden features Harry Belafonte’s “Oh Freedom,” an early recording of what would become one of the most popular Freedom Songs.
Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments – “We Are On Our Way”
KWBU-FM (Waco/NPR) radio
2020-01-26
On this episode of Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments, Baylor journalism professor Robert Darden features The Gospel Emeralds, who are best known today for the martial beat and cadences of “We’re On Our Way,” one of Rev. James Cleveland’s favorite songs.
Slaves felt kinship with the shepherds, the first to hear the news of Christ’s birth
The Dallas Morning News print
2019-12-24
Baylor journalism professor and black gospel music expert Robert F. Darden is among the community and faith leaders asked by The Dallas Morning News to answer the question: When life feels dark, what gives you hope? Darden writes about the Christmas spirituals of the enslaved people of the American South, who recognized their own plight in the journey of the Holy Family and felt a deep kinship with the shepherds.
Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments – “I Found God”
KWBU-FM (Waco/NPR) radio
2019-12-08
On this episode of Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments, journalism professor Robert Darden features a 45 by The Howard University Gospel Choir titled “I Found God,” which features an early - but still scintillating - performance by the legendary Richard Smallwood.
Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments – “Yes, Jesus Loves Me”
KWBU-FM (Waco/NPR) radio
2019-12-01
On this episode of Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments, journalism professor Robert Darden features the 32nd Annual International Youth Congress of the Church of God in Christ, who produced a marvelous mass choir LP by the same name in 1967, featuring the immortal gospel singer Kitty Parham.
Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments – “Wonderful”
KWBU-FM (Waco/NPR) radio
2019-11-24
On this episode of Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments, journalism professor Robert Darden features Sam Cooke and The Soul Stirrers, who released dozens of superb, irreplaceable gospel songs, including the sweet and sentimental “Wonderful.”
Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments – “Keep on Going”
KWBU-FM (Waco/NPR) radio
2019-11-03
On this episode of Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments, journalism professor Robert Darden features Irene Jones and the Original Joy Harmonizers, one of many wonderful gospel groups that should be better known today. Their song “Keep on Going” is a good example why.
Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments – “When I’m Gone”
KWBU-FM (Waco/NPR) radio
2019-10-27
On this episode of Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments, journalism professor Robert Darden features the Sunrise Gospel Singers of Chicago Heights, who deliver an affecting, emotional rendition of the gospel song, “When I’m Gone.”
Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments – “God Is Still on the Throne”
KWBU-FM (Waco/NPR) radio
2019-10-20
On this episode of Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments, journalism professor Robert Darden features the piano stylings and arrangements of Roberta Martin, which influenced everybody from the Rev. James Cleveland to Little Lucy Smith and are on full display in her hit, “God Is Still on the Throne.”
Honest, soulful expression: New black-gospel album is ‘as raw as it gets’
World Magazine print
2019-10-10
Journalism Professor Robert Darden, founder of Baylor’s Black Gospel Music Restoration Project, contributed to the liner notes for “The Time for Peace Is Now: Gospel Music About Us,” a new compilation on the Luaka Bop label showcasing obscure ’70s singles by various and equally obscure artists.
'Gospel was transforming the world of the music:' Well-known Baylor professor preserves largest gospel collection in the world
KCEN-TV (Waco, Temple, Killeen/NBC) tv
2019-10-07
Baylor journalism professor Robert Darden is considered the go-to-guy for restoring and saving black gospel music from the golden era. His project now is preserving sermons of African American preachers. Also interviewed was Baylor Digital Collections digitization specialist Travis Taylor.
Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments – “Steal Away”
KWBU-FM (Waco/NPR) radio
2019-10-06
On this episode of Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments, journalism professor Robert Darden features the Banks Brothers and the Greater Harvest Back Home Choir of Newark, N.J., two great choirs singing old time gospel before a massive and appreciative audience.
Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments – “Steal Away”
KWBU-FM (Waco/NPR) radio
2019-10-06
On this episode of Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments, journalism professor Robert Darden features the Banks Brothers and the Greater Harvest Back Home Choir of Newark, N.J., two great choirs singing old time gospel before a massive and appreciative audience.
Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments – “Search Me Lord”
KWBU-FM (Waco/NPR) radio
2019-09-29
On this episode of Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments, Baylor journalism professor Robert Darden features “The Thunderbolt of the Midwest,” Brother Joe May, who was an incredibly versatile vocalist who never recorded secular music, despite tremendous pressure from his record label. Darden is founder of Baylor’s Black Gospel Music Restoration Project, which provides the sounds and stories for this weekly program.
Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments – “Stay on the Battlefield”
KWBU-FM (Waco/NPR) radio
2019-09-22
On this episode of Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments, Baylor journalism professor Robert Darden highlights the Mighty Sons of Glory, who are still going strong after 30 years and continue the proud “hard gospel” tradition of their heroes, the Mighty Clouds of Joy. Darden is founder of Baylor’s Black Gospel Music Restoration Project, which provides the sounds and stories for this weekly program.
Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments – “Home Going”
KWBU-FM (Waco/NPR) radio
2019-09-15
On this episode of Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments, Baylor journalism professor Robert Darden highlights “Home Going,” just one of a number of superb, high-energy gospel songs by Detroit native Victoria Hawkins on Houston’s funky Peacock label. Darden is founder of Baylor’s Black Gospel Music Restoration Project, which provides the sounds and stories for this weekly program.
Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments – “Lord, I'm Done Done”
KWBU-FM (Waco/NPR) radio
2019-09-01
On this episode of Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments, Baylor journalism professor Robert Darden highlights the beloved Gotham Records label, which – since 1946 – released a host of quality 45s through 1958, including a happy, up-tempo gospel romp, “Lord, I’m Done Done” by Rudolph Lewis. Darden is founder of Baylor’s Black Gospel Music Restoration Project, which provides the sounds and stories for this weekly program.
Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments – “Through It All”
KWBU-FM (Waco/NPR) radio
2019-09-01
On this episode of Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments, Baylor journalism professor Robert Darden features the masterful “Soulfully” album by the legendary Andrae Crouch and the Disciples, one of their best, in part because of the memorable anthem, “Through It All.” Darden is founder of Baylor’s Black Gospel Music Restoration Project, which provides the sounds and stories for this weekly program.
Aretha Franklin’s One Faith
Christianity Today online
2018-08-16
In this column, Robert Darden, professor of journalism, public relations and new media in Baylor’s College of Arts & Sciences, wrote about the life, music and faith of Aretha Franklin, who died Thursday. Darden, who founded Baylor’s Black Gospel Music Restoration Project, wrote that the Queen of Soul’s 2015 performance during the 38th Kennedy Center Honors represented not only her gospel talents, but her emotional transparency and faith. “Standing before the frenzied Kennedy Center audience, singing from somewhere deep inside the pain, Franklin tapped into the gospel music of Jackson and Ward, into the sanctified sermons of her father, into a lifelong belief in one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and came out triumphant and redeemed on the other side,” Darden wrote.
