World in Music

World in Music, produced by the Armed Forces Radio Service for distribution to American troops, began as a twice weekly 15-minute series featuring primarily instrumental music from different countries and cultures. The show was initially hosted by disc jockey Bob Ballard, who offered little in the way of context beyond the songs' titles and countries of origin.

Later, Vincent Price took over the hosting and the show was extended to half an hour. In Price's version, the show was referred to as "Songs from the United Nations" ("United Nations" was how the allies referred to themselves during World War II). Price offered more in the way of narrative and commentary. Sadly, very few of these shows survive; fortunately Vincent Price's "Christmas Music" episode is one of them.

I could find little about this show online and nothing about DJ Bob Willard (there are several Bob Willards of more recent fame who suck up all the clicks). It seems to have been recorded for most of the 1940s. According the Old Time Radio Catalog, Price's "Christmas Music" dates from 1949.

Series description provided by Frank Bell.