J.R. Baxter

BAXTER, Jesse Randall, Jr. b. Lebanon, DeKalb County, Alabama, 8 December 1887; d. Dallas, Texas, USA, 21 January 1960. Prominent in the development of southern gospel music, Baxter, affectionately called ‘Pap’ or ‘Pa’, was best-known for his association with the Stamps-Baxter Music & Printing Company (see Stamps-Baxter Publications*).  That company flourished in great part because of Baxter’s business acumen, but he was respected too for his skills as an editor, lyricist, and teacher.  Baxter completed his general education in Alabama and began a literary-school teaching career. After one term, however, he decided to devote himself to gospel song work.  He studied music with and...