The Vernacular Music Center
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Johnnie "J.D." Darnell Tribute

The staff, students, alumni, and family of the TTU Vernacular Music Center join the Family in mourning the loss of Johnnie “J.D.” Darnell, father of TTU/Celtic Ensemble alumna Heather Darnell and a great friend to the Vernacular Music Center. We are honored that the family wishes to commemorate J.D. via donations to the VMC in his name.

Tax-deductible donations may be made to the Vernacular Music Center at Texas Tech University. Checks can be made payable to Texas Tech Foundation, Inc. and mailed to Box 45025, Lubbock, TX 79409-5025 or on-line at www.give2tech.com. Please note that the donation is designated for the Vernacular Music Center.
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Statement from the Darnell Family:

Johnnie “J.D.” Darnell
October 30, 1948—November 23, 2020

Johnnie “J.D.” Darnell was a deeply joyous musician who embodied the Texas Tech Vernacular Music Center’s spirit of building community through vernacular tradition. As a child, J.D. learned fiddle by ear from an old Tennessean fiddler. He went on to perform with the popular dance band Sandy’s Six Pack, a staple of the South Texas dance hall scene. Just as happy playing on the stage as for family and friends, J.D. was famous for spontaneous concerts wherever he traveled and loved making new friends through music. In his later years, he formed a vibrant music community on the docks of the Corpus Christi Marina, where there is hardly a sailor who hasn’t heard his honest, weathered tenor and breezy guitar-picking style.

J.D. supported his daughter, Heather, as she attended the VMC. He was a huge fan of the Celtic Ensemble, traveling 650 miles every year to attend their concerts while Heather was in school. He deeply valued music education, and the Darnell family and friends are proud to donate in his memory to the VMC.

-The Darnell Family


​"I want to live in the whole world of music." - Henry Cowell

research, teaching, & advocacy in the world's music

  • Home
  • About
    • Mission
    • History
    • Staff
  • Activities
    • For Students >
      • Ensembles >
        • Current
        • Former
      • Courses
      • Certificates >
        • World Music
        • Early Music
        • Community Arts Entrepreneurship
      • Scholarships >
        • The VMC Scholarship
        • Outreach Scholars
      • Study Abroad >
        • Ireland seminar
    • For Educators
    • Professional training
  • Podcast
    • VVMC Series 1
    • VVMC Series 2
    • VVMC Series 3
  • Arts Practice Research
    • Research: The Crossroads Project
  • Events
    • Past >
      • The Celtic Christmas
      • Balfolk
      • Dancing with Mr Darcy
      • Pirates & Cowboys
      • Gypsy Ceilis
    • Summer Dance Workshops
    • House concerts & soirees
    • Guest artists & teachers
  • Press/Gallery
    • Testimonials
    • Gallery
    • Poster Gallery
  • Partners
  • Support/Contact