[78-L] V-DISC Requests.

[David Weiner]

Yes, the watchword seems to have been "variety" - each release would have
all types of music - swing, jazz, vocal, country, opera, classical.

Mike, I think I read somewhere that Sears tragically died from some tropical
malady before the book even came out - do you know if that's so?

Dave W.

-----Original Message-----
From: 78-l-bounces at klickitat.78online.com
[mailto:78-l-bounces at klickitat.78online.com] On Behalf Of Michael Biel
Sent: Friday, June 26, 2009 2:22 PM
To: 78-L Mail List
Subject: Re: [78-L] V-DISC Requests.

> Also, while we're at it, there seems such a lack of logic
> for how these V-Discs tracks were chosen. Does anyone know
> who chose which tracks to put out and how they were married
> up to one another. Thanking you in anticipation... Earl Okin.

Although I knew Dick Sears and actually I was instrumental in getting
him into the NBC archive which enabled him to find the details of the
broadcast recordings that were used, I don't have a copy of the primary
volume of his V-Disc discography, only the supplement.  So I don't have
access to his introduction which answers your question (and his ARSC
talk might also supply the answers.)  But in one word, "variety" would
probably be the best answer.  They wanted something for everyone.  Since
the discs were sent out in packages, this variety would ideally be
evident within each package.  G. Robert Vincent was in charge of the
V-disc program (and claimed that the V stood for Vincent, not
Victory!!!) so he and a staff were responsible for the programming of
the records.  

Mike Biel  mbiel at mbiel.com