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The Birth of Christmas Gospel

By Juan Williams
Published December 24, 2002 at 12:00 AM EST

African-American gospel music has been around since the 1870s, but it hasn't been associated with the Christmas season nearly as long. It began in the late 1930s, when black singers began to use their own soaring style on Christmas carols. NPR's Juan Williams speaks with music historian Horace Clarence Boyer.

Copyright 2002 NPR
Juan Williams
Juan Williams, one of America's leading journalists, is a news analyst, appearing regularly on NPR's Morning Edition. Knowledgeable and charismatic, Williams brings insight and depth — hallmarks of NPR programs — to a wide spectrum of issues and ideas.