Washington ( CNN ) -- Civil rights songs were the soundtrack of the movement that helped bring President Obama to the White House . On Tuesday , Obama welcomed an array of artists to celebrate those songs . An all-star lineup including Bob Dylan , Joan Baez , Natalie Cole , Smokey Robinson , the Blind Boys of Alabama , John Mellencamp , gospel singer Yolanda Adams and others performed some of the best-known numbers from what Obama called the `` soundtrack '' of the civil rights movement . The concert , `` In Performance at the White House : A Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement , '' was originally scheduled for Wednesday night but was moved to Tuesday as another snow storm moved into the Washington area . According to the White House Web site , the concert marked the beginning of the 2010 White House music series and celebrated Black History month . Black leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. decided on communities to organize when they saw the people were `` disciplined and serious enough to be singing freedom songs , '' Obama said . `` It 's hard to sing when times are rough , '' the president said . The hymns of the civil rights movement `` helped carry the cause of the people , '' Obama said . Actor Morgan Freeman served as master of ceremonies for the program at the White House , which will be broadcast on the Public Broadcasting Service . Highlight performances included Mellencamp on a rocking version of `` Keep Your Eyes on the Prize , '' and Joan Baez with a spiritual `` We Shall Overcome . '' Robinson sang an emotional version of `` Abraham , Martin and John , '' and Dylan played an acoustic guitar on a raspy voiced `` Times They Are a-Changin ' . '' The Blind Boys of Alabama led the room of dignitaries including first lady Michelle Obama and presidential daughters Malia and Sasha , Vice President Joe Biden and his wife , Jill , White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and others in a rousing version of `` Free at Last , '' eventually joined on stage by the other performers and Obama .
All - star lineup includes Bob Dylan , Joan Baez , Natalie Cole , Smokey Robinson . Others include the Blind Boys of Alabama , John Mellencamp , gospel singer Yolanda Adams . Concert was moved up to Tuesday because of a second round of snow in the area . Actor Morgan Freeman served as master of ceremonies .