Songs of Hope: White House Celebrates Gospel Music

President Barack Obama and the first lady invited top recording artists to the White House Tuesday for a celebration of gospel music.

Obama hailed gospel music as the "songs of hope" that helped shape America, starting with the slave era and continuing with the civil rights movement.

"Hope that we might rise above our failures and disappointments. Hope that we might receive His redemption. Hope that, in lifting our voices together, we, too, might one day reach the Promised Land," he added.

"It's what helps connect us to God, to that higher power," first lad Michelle Obama said. "And for so many, when times are dark and when you're struggling, gospel music is that ray of hope and it gives you that strength."

The president agreed, saying, "It still has an unmatched power to strike the deepest chord in all of us, touching people of all faiths and of no faith."

The event was the latest in the "Performance at the White House" series that is broadcast by PBS television stations nationwide. The program airs June 26.