Welcome to Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments. I’m Robert Darden.
Along with the Rev. C.L. Franklin and the Rev. Jasper Williams, there were no better – nor more popular – gospel preachers than the Rev. Cleophus Robinson. Beginning in 1949, Robinson released dozens of album-length sermons, primarily for Peacock Records out of Houston. In the 1960s, he began to record and release albums of original songs as well.
One of his most famous sermons is The Back-Sliding Heifer, recorded live during a weeklong revival at Burnette Baptist Church in Detroit. Here’s a few minutes that will give you just a taste of Robinson’s preaching style – sometimes funny, usually folksy and -- occasionally -- fiery!
I’m Robert Darden … “Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments” is produced by KWBU and the Black Gospel Music Preservation Program at Baylor University Libraries.