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Gospel Saxophonist Vernard Johnson

Johnson tells us about his experiences playing in churches, where some people think of the saxophone as the devil's instrument.

16:06
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Other segments from the episode on December 25, 1998

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, December 25, 1998: Interview with Marian Williams; Interview with Vernard Johnson; Interview with Al Green.

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Gospel Saxophonist Vernard Johnson.

Alto Saxophonist Vernard Johnson. He's best known for his Gospel playing, performing with preachers like, E.V. Hill, Billy Graham, and Bishop L. H. Ford. His saxophone was considered too raucous for the Gospel circuit when he began playing there in the mid-60's, but eventually he became a favorite on the evangelical circuit.

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Gospel Singer Cissy Houston.

Gospel singer Cissy Houston has released her biography titled "Cissy Houston, How Sweet The Sound: My Life with God and Gospel." (Doubleday) Cissy Houston won the 1997 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Soul Gospel album for "Face to Face." She is the minister of music at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey and lives in Fort Lee, NJ. Her daughter is the singer Whitney Houston.

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