Joe Lewis was one of the true pioneers of modern square dancing.  He transformed the caller into a showman setting the tone for generations of callers that followed.  His records spread square dancing around the world and in fact, were the foundation of his being brought to Australia in 1950 to show square dancing in department stores.  His trip was sponsored by a group of businessmen who had heard his album.  A second tour in 1951 introduced thousands to square dancing. From the start of his career in the 1940s to his retirement in the 1990s, he was a proponent for the use of a limited number of square dance calls.  He believed that a caller with personality, good timing, and imagination could do a great deal with a limited vocabulary of calls.  This album was released in 1962 and places a spotlight on the way Joe entertained dancers without overwhelming them. PLEASE HELP THIS PODCAST - Give us a 5-star rating on the service you are using to listen to us and make a contribution to keep this podcast coming your way. SUPPORT THIS PODCAST

A name that many will not be familiar with - Jim York was one of the most influential callers in modern square dancing.  Jim started calling in 1947 at a time when square dancing was done by routines and it was Jim York who created variety of movement through new routines.  Many of the movements within his routines would evolve into a separate call unto itself.   In the ten years that he was active, he wrote more new material and routines than anyone before or since.  He passed away in 1957 at the age of 43.  This dance is part two of a recording from 1956.  There are very few known recordings of Jim York but here is a good one that spotlights his enthusiasm and creativity.  . From a baked reel-to-reel tape recording for your enjoyment. Keep this podcast going by making a contribution using the button below. SUPPORT THIS PODCAST

A name that many will not be familiar with - Jim York was one of the most influential callers in modern square dancing.  Jim started calling in 1947 at a time when square dancing was done by routines and it was Jim York who created variety of movement through new routines.  Many of the movements within his routines would evolve into a separate call unto itself.  An example is his first hit routine - Suzy Q - which became a fundamental call in square dancing. In the ten years that he was active, he wrote more new material and routines than anyone before or since.  He passed away in 1957 at the age of 43.  This dance was recorded live in the San Francisco Bay-area in 1956.  There are very few known recordings of Jim York but here is a good one that spotlights his enthusiasm and creativity.  . From a baked reel-to-reel tape recording for your enjoyment. Keep this podcast going by making a contribution using the button below. SUPPORT THIS PODCAST

BONUS EPISODE  Here is a bonus episode four new singing calls featuring the modern sound of today's square dancing. Called by Buddy Weaver - "Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)", "Back To Galveston", "Honky Tonk Down A Country Road" and "Close Enough To Perfect".  On the last cut, Buddy is joined by Curt Braffet and Dan Sahlstrom.  Good for listening, great for use at demos when  a caller is not available. Keep this podcast going by making a contribution using the button below. SUPPORT THIS PODCAST

One of the most memorable voices from a classic square dance era was Bob Fisk.  A traveling full-time caller since 1961 who settled into a California-based program in 1965.  Here is PART TWO of a live dance recorded in Stockton, California- NOTE: the narration says 1971 but it is 1969. From a baked reel-to-reel tape recording for your enjoyment. Keep this podcast going by making a contribution using the button below. SUPPORT THIS PODCAST

One of the most memorable voices from a classic square dance era was Bob Fisk.  A traveling full-time caller since 1961 who settled into a California-based program in 1965.  Here is a live dance recorded in Stockton, California - NOTE: the narration says 1971 but it is 1969. From a baked reel-to-reel tape recording for your enjoyment. Keep this podcast going by making a contribution using the button below. SUPPORT THIS PODCAST

Here is part two of the live dance called by one of the most significant names in modern square dance history - Marshall Flippo. Recorded around 1963 in New England. Part one is featured in the previous episode. Keep this podcast going by making a contribution using the button below. SUPPORT THIS PODCAST

By the early 1960's, Marshall Flippo was the most recognized name in Modern Western Square Dancing.  As a traveling caller who toured from coast-to-coast and as a popular recording artist, Marshall was on his way to being the #1 caller in the world. This is a live dance from reel-to-reel tape.  The dance was held in New England around 1963. Keep this podcast going by making a contribution using the button below. SUPPORT THIS PODCAST

Melton Luttrell began calling in 1950 and over the past seventy-five years created a lasting legacy in the square dance activity.  In his home area of Ft. Worth, Texas, Melton has taught thousands of people to dance, mentored dozens of callers, and was instrumental in the construction of Swingtime Dance Center - the premier square dance hall in the U.S.  He produced Square L Records for many years and was a founding father of CALLERLAB.  He is the recipient of the Milestone Award, Gold Card, and Lifetime Achievement Award.  He passed away in March 2026 at the age of 97   He called for 75 years   This album was released in 1963 on Square L Records. Please take a moment to make a gift to offset our production costs.  Every contribution helps and is appreciated. MAKE A DONATION

The year is 1950 and two new albums are out - the first is the only known studio recording of Lloyd "Pappy" Shaw.  Considered by many to the father of Modern Square Dancing, Dr. Shaw gained an impressive reputation through the publication of his book - "Cowboy Dances" and the touring performances of his Cheyenne Mountain School students. This recording features three dances from the "Duel In The Sun" motion picture.   Also in 1950 came the release of a series of albums for both the new and experienced dancer from the newly formed Windsor Records label.  At the helm of Windsor Records was Doc Alumbaugh, a retired medical doctor who was full-time in teaching and calling in Southern California.  Doc was considered not only a pioneer in the early modern square dance movement, but also an avid promoter.    This recording features two dances from his Dances For Experienced Dancers on Windsor. THIS ENTIRE PROJECT TOOK HOURS TO PRODUCE.  The source material was 78 RPM records with seventy-five years of wear on them.  So please remember to help us with the costs of production. SUPPORT THIS PODCAST