Voices of Vista

Not a label. Series of transcription records produced by the US Government for public broadcast. Sponsored by the US Office Of Economic Opportunity. The shows were regularly played by radio stations as programs and filler segments, as well as public service. The first record was issued in late August 1965. VISTA, an acronym for "Volunteers in Service to America," was an anti-poverty campaign established in the 1960s, and is now known as "AmeriCorps." The people/artists on the recordings gave their time freely. Most records include a "Thank you to the American Federation of Musicians" (AFM), which would have given permission to record and replay without payment. These releases were usually shipped in generic white boxes containing four, sometimes five, and very rarely six records, all with a music clearance sheet crediting songwriters and publishing and performance rights companies.. Originally sent to 200 radio stations, distribution expanded to approximately 400 stations, plus overseas US radio stations and military bases.