Buddy Weaver Podcast

In 1970 the direction and tone of Modern Western Square Dancing was set by the "Square Dancing - Sets In Order" magazine operation.  Under the direction of Bob Osgood, this organization brought together leadership from across North American and developed educational resources, institutes for dancers and callers, and a monthly publication that reached thousands of readers.

The tiers or levels of square dancing was developed by Sets In Order for the interests of the hobby dancer as well as the dance enthusiast.  To promote these levels of dancing, SIO produced two long-play recordings featuring the "big names" of square dancing.  Here now is the gold album for the hobby dancer.

Callers on the album are:

Bruce Johnson

Joe Lewis

Ed Gilmore

Frank Lane

Arnie Kronenberger

Bob Van Antwerp

Lee Helsel

Jerry Helt

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In 1970 the direction and tone of Modern Western Square Dancing was set by the "Square Dancing - Sets In Order" magazine operation.  Under the direction of Bob Osgood, this organization brought together leadership from across North American and developed educational resources, institutes for dancers and callers, and a monthly publication that reached thousands of readers.

The tiers or levels of square dancing was developed by Sets In Order for the interests of the hobby dancer as well as the dance enthusiast.  To promote these levels of dancing, SIO produced two long-play recordings featuring the "big names" of square dancing.  Here now is the red album for the dancing enthusiast (more calls to remember).

Callers on the album are:

Earl Johnston

Bill Ball

Johnny LeClair

Dave Taylor

Bob Page

Marshall Flippo

Wally Shultz

Al Brundage

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This episode we feature a vintage MacGregor Records long-play album recorded by Jerry Helt. Released in February 1961.  Jerry has been featured in this podcast series on a number of Blue Star albums (he joined the Blue Star label subsequent to his MacGregor days).

This album is a compilation of his singles released on MacGregor.  A nice feature of a very young Jerry Helt, his calling talent and humor.

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One of the most recognized names in Modern Western Square Dancing today is that of Wade Driver.  Wade has been calling since the early sixties and by the seventies was a full-time traveling caller featured at festivals around the world.

Wade started Rhythm Records in the seventies, a major square dance record label which changed the musical style of square dancing in a big way.  His musical influences left an indelible impression on square dancing and square dance calling, for which Wade was recognized with a CALLERLAB Milestone Award.

Read more about Wade Driver - https://callerlab.org/download/wade-driver-milestone-award/?wpdmdl=3694&refresh=65e5d178d00601709560184

Here is a Rhythm Records long-play album featuring Wade Driver.

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This episode we feature a vintage Blue Star Records long-play album recorded by Dave Taylor.  Released in May 1976 as Blue Star 1033.  Dave had recorded a total of three albums for the Blue Star label; this was his last.

Dave was an incredible caller who brought square dancing to the international stage, through his many calling tours and the creation of the World Square Dance Convention.  He was one of the founding fathers of CALLERLAB.

Read more about Dave Taylor here

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This podcast advocates for the - SSD or Social Square Dancing program.  A great way to join in square dancing where classes take about 24 hours or 12-14 weeks.

Today's episode features Buddy Weaver calling an SSD dance in Los Angeles, California in January 2024.  This is excellent for home use, when you don't have a caller, or for callers to use as a learning resource.

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The Sets In Order organization, started in 1948 as a monthly square dance magazine along with a record label producing music with and without calls for square dancing.   Under the direction of Bob Osgood, Sets In Order would branch out into educational resources, printed and recorded along with institutes for dancers and callers.  Many point to Sets In Order and Bob Osgood as the major force behind the evolution of Modern Western Square Dancing.

This is the fourth album produced for subscribers and features the callers who were staff of the Asilomar Square Dance Vacations (also sponored by Sets In Order)

Caller featured are:

Marshall Flippo

Lee Helsel

Bruce Johnson

Earl Johnston

Arnie Kronenberger

Frank Lane

Bob Page

Bob Van Antwerp 

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ENCORE

Part four in the series covering the Santa Monica Diamond Jubilee square dance.  The largest square dance ever, held on July 13, 1950 with 15,000 dancers, 35,000 spectators.

A true audio snapshot of history.

In this episode you will hear the following callers and dances:

Bill Moony - "You Call Everybody Darling"

Roy Close - "Arkansas Star"

Ralph Maxhimer - "Texas Star" (rare recording)

Joel and Ray Orme - "Pistol Packin' Mama"

Mildred Blakey - "Cowboy Loop"

Bruce Johnson - "Insides Arch, Outsides Under"

Cal Golden - "Make An Arch"

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Produced by Merl Olds, owner of Hi Hat Records for use by CBS  to promote square dancing, here is an album of easy dances.  Although one or two calls are no longer used in beginner dances, the overall recording is ideal for beginners and an excellent resource for SSD dancers/callers.

Music is by Hi Hat Records.  Calling is by Lee Schmidt, who has been featured in the BWM podcast before.  He was an excellent caller and singer who limited his travels to the western states, where he was greatly sought after.  

From the Gloria Schmidt collection.

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Ken Bower has been featured in other BWM podcast episodes.  As popular today as ever, this dance was recorded live in Michigan in 1972.  It is an incomplete dance but captures the energy of one of the most iconic callers in Modern Western Square Dancing.

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