Final answer:
Mid 20th century gospel music became a vital part of popular culture through the influence of various music genres and the unique contributions of African Americans.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement is true. Mid 20th century gospel music did become a vital part of popular culture. Gospel music, which originated in African American churches, gained wider recognition and popularity during this time period.
The combination of various music influences including gospel, blues, country, jazz, and R&B gave birth to the new sound of rock and roll, which became an instant success and captivated teenagers across the country.
Furthermore, African Americans also put their unique cultural and musical stamp on a style of hymn singing called lined-out hymnody, which laid the foundation for future forms of American music including the blues, soul, jazz, and even rock 'n' roll and hip-hop.