Kurt Frederic Kaiser

Kurt Frederic Kaiser was an American composer, arranger, pianist, producer, church musician, and music-industry executive born in Chicago in 1934. He studied at the American Conservatory of Music and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northwestern University. In 1959 he moved to Waco, Texas, to join Word, Inc., beginning as director of artists and repertoire and later serving as vice president and director of music. His work placed him at the center of the rapidly changing world of evangelical church music during the 1960s and 1970s.

Kaiser collaborated with Ralph Carmichael on Christian youth musicals, including Tell It Like It Is, and wrote both words and music for Pass It On in 1969 as the musical’s closing invitation song. He later explained that the text came to him one Sunday evening while he sat near the remains of a fireplace fire; the idea developed rapidly, and his wife, Pat, contributed a suggestion that influenced the final portion of the song. This account comes from Kaiser himself rather than from a later devotional legend.

Beyond songwriting, Kaiser arranged and produced recordings for numerous artists, accompanied George Beverly Shea, directed the Baylor Religious Hour Choir, and helped establish DaySpring Baptist Church in Waco. His other widely used song Oh How He Loves You and Me appeared in the 1970s. He received an ASCAP lifetime achievement award, a Dove Award, and induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.