photo #954650

"The Hi-Fi Club" was one of the first national dance clubs in the country. Getting it's start in 1958, it was sponsored and promoted by the Coca-Cola company to promote positive activities among the youth.By June 1959, Coca-Cola bottlers in 47 states were sponsoring The Hi-Fi Club, bringing it's membership to an estimated 2 Million teenagers. Membership was open to all teenagers with no fees or dues required. Each member was given a membership card, and only members could attend the events. Contests would be held and prizes would be given on both local and national levels. A Hi-Fi Club King and Queen would also be elected at each dance. Some of the prizes included red dance socks with "The Hi-Fi Club" knitted in white on each side, a Bolo necktie made of braided leather with a gold-finished metal emblem slide, a red and white plastic holder for 90 45-RPM records, and a transistor radio with a leather case sporting the club logo.One of the most important factors was the proper DJ. Coca-Cola would supply the DJ with promotional material, and the DJ was to learn about the product and its history. The DJ's name or image would appear on advertising and point-of-sales materials.Besides the dances, members would play games such as, "Name That Tune", "Guess The Sound Effect" or other games to win prizes. There are sound effects on the flip side of this record.In 1960, Coca-Cola added a nationwide talent contest to the Hi-Fi Club promotion. "Talentsville, USA", a search to locate top amateur musical talent from across the country, began on January 4th at local Clubs everywhere. The top winner in each local contest won an official Hi-Fi Club engraved trophy.Winners of the area finals were transported to five different locations for the division finals. Division winners received gifts including a $500 wardrobe, a trip to New York and an audition with a recognized recording company. DJs and chaperones accompanied the contestants to New York for the radio broadcast finals. The grand prize was a $5,000 scholarship.This transcription, given to the dance club DJs, features Christmas greetings directed to members of The Hi-Fi Club. These include: Marv Johnson, Rod Lauren, Jeannie Thomas, The Brothers Four, Jimmy Clanton, Johnny Burnette, Sam Cooke, Annette Funichello, Clyde McPhatter, Neil Sedaka, Andy Williams, Adam Wade, Dante & The Evergreens, Joann Campbell, Johnny O'Keif, Mitch Miller, Conway Twitty, Al Brown, Sue Singleton, Richard Hayes, Myrna March, Johnny Tilotson, Gary Stites, Keilly Smith, Johnny O'Stevo, Teddy Randazzo, Vaughn Monroe, Tommy Zang, and Dick Caruso.