Inducted 2005

Born January 26, 1905 in Coleman, TX, Robert S. Arnold spent his entire life promoting the expansion of Southern Gospel Music.  

At the age of 16, he attended music normals sponsored by the Central Music Company of Little Rock AR, and studied under legendary figures like JH Carr, Will M Ramsey, and John A McClung.  He also studied with William W Combs, the noted music instructor for both the Vaughan Music Company and the Stamps-Baxter Music Company.  At the age of 18, Robert began singing tenor in various quartets.  Among his singing jobs in the late 1920s and early 1930s were stints with the Carr Quartet, the Central Quartet and the JC Penny-sponsored Overall Quartet, a group that sported overalls, complete with white shirt and black bow tie, in each of their concerts. 

Robert Arnold’s major contribution to gospel music was in perpetuating shape-note singing schools and publishing annual convention books.  He helped found the National Music Company of Coleman, TX in 1937 and continued until his death.  During the 1940s and 1950s, he managed and sang as a member of the National Quartet.  All the while, he continued to teach local singing schools as well.  Robert S. Arnold taught at least one singing school in each year since 1924 at the age of 19 until his death at the age of 98.  

He is also a noted songwriter of more than 400 songs, including the well-known song, "No Tears in Heaven."