Program Description:
Bernice Reagon and the Freedom Singers: We Shall Overcome
In Albany Georgia in 1962, the civil rights movement brought singing to its followers using gospel and traditional folk tunes. Throughout U.S. history from the Revolutionary War onwards, leaders have turned to song to make their point. Labor, environmental, and many other movements have used this approach. But never more so than at the dawn of the mass civil rights movement in the South, when the Freedom Singers led large groups in adaptations of traditional hymns—turning them into the anthems of civil rights as songs like “We Shall Overcome.” These songs spread across the country, sung not only in marches but on campuses and in churches.
This award-winning documentary tells the history of the civil rights movement through music and oral histories, produced by one of America’s senior oral historians, David Dunaway.
The formation of the Freedom Singers, field organizers for the Student Non Violent Co-ordinating Committee, is where our story begins.
Timing and Cues
Part 1: 00:00-28;08
:60 break (Fats Waller instrumental) 28:08-29:08
Part II 29:08-58:00
Intro and Outro
INTRO:
In the 1960s, the late musician Bernice Reagon formed a group of civil rights musicians, the Freedom Singers. Here is the story of the Civil Rights movement, told through their music.
OUTRO:
You’ve been listening to Bernice Reagon and the Freedom Singers, musicians from the civil rights movement, produced by David Dunaway of KUNM-Albuquerque
Musical Works
TitleArtistAlbumLabelYearLength
Traditional & Gospel Tunes
Various, Freedom Singers
Voices of the Civil Rights Movement.
Folkways Records
1962
:00
Related Website
Program Time Length: 58:00
Day and Time Available to Stations: Any Day or Time
Program Frequency: One off
Program Contains Explicit Language/Content: No
Program is Doing Music Reporting for Syndication: Yes
Program Has Underwriting Announcements: No
Program Contains Sponsorship/Donation Information or Request: No
Program Website Has Products/Services for Sale or Accepts Donations: No
Program Has Pledge Drive Editions or Pitches Available: No
Program Has Pledge Drive Premiums Available: No
RSS Feed for Stations:
Web download for stations:
PRX/PRSS Link for Stations: https://exchange.prx.org/pieces/538068-bernice-reagon-the-freedom-singers#description
Program Contact if Stations Have Questions: dunaway@unm.edu
