PASS IT ON

If we said the name Kurt Kaiser, you will either have a clear recognition of him, or your mind will start churning to figure out why you are pretty sure you remember him!  Kurt made a significant difference to church music and more particularly the music accepted and loved by youth in the 60’s and 70’s!

Kurt Kaisers was born in Chicago in December, 1934.  His family were committed Plymouth Brethren.  Kurt, grew up performing throughout the city of Chicago.  As early as 12 years old, he was playing piano and organ on live radio.  He accompanied well known musicians and played for revivals and church events. 

Kurt spent a year travelling with basso, Bill Carle before entering the American Conservatory of Music at age 18.  He met his future bride, Patricia Anderson, and they were married in 1956.  For over 50 years, Kurt Kaiser influenced modern day church music and ushered in a new era of Christian music.  Here is the story our hymn for today, ‘PASS IT ON’, was inspired…in Kurt’s own words.

“In 1969, Ralph Carmichael and I collaborated on a musical called, ‘Tell It Like It Is’.  It was written to get young people involved in the church.  After reviewing what we had written, we decided there needed to be a closer…a modern ‘Just As I Am’. (a hymn written in 1835 by Charlotte Elliott and a favourite for use in evangelical altar calls). On a Sunday night, I was sitting in our den by the fireplace where there were remnants of a fire, and it occurred to me that it only takes a spark to get a fire going…and the rest came very quickly.  My wife suggested that I should say something about shouting it from mountain tops, and that ended up in the third verse.  It only took 20 minutes to write the lyrics.”  

The song then took on a life of its own.  Kaizer said he was always amazed at how the Lord can take a little song and use it to reach so many people!  No doubt, PASS IT ON, will bring back memories for you.