'S
2009 
NEWS FROM ME 



And These are also Christmas Trees
These are NOT Holiday Trees
They are not Hanukkah bushes
They are not Allah plants
They are Christmas trees.
Say it...
Christmas , Christmas , CHRISTmas
Yes CHRISTmas -not Holiday
We are not celebrating the birth of a Holiday!!!
We are
Celebrating the Birth of
Jesus Christ!!!
So I would like to say to each and everyone of you
Have a Very Merry CHRISTMAS
and may GOD BLESS each and every one of you!!!


CANADIAN LINE DANCE CLASSIC - Early Bird Registration EXTENDED - Save $20.00!!!
DIANE IS LOOKING FOR ROOMATE FOR "CANADIAN CLASSIC"
CHRISTMAS POT LUCK DANCE PARTY WITH MICHELE - SUNDAY, DEC. 6, 2009, GUELPH, ON.
NEWS AND UPDATES FROM VIVIENNE SCOTT Hi everyone: Our "Good Times Christmas Party" planned for Dec. 12th has been cancelled. Fred will have his Christmas Party on Tues. Dec. 15th.
LEANNE NOW HAS A WEBSITE FOR "BELIEVE IN A CURE" CANCER FUNDRAISER
Listen Up! Check out another great set of free tunes at countryweekly.com/freemusic.
WEEKLY LESSONS AT THE DRY GULCH - WITH PAULA
Hey All,
{ALWAYS CALL FIRST TO CONFIRM}
Mon & Wed... Unique Training Club, 7780 Woodbine Ave, Markham, Ont. , Linda Francey 905-898-6071
Mon & Wed… Al Palladini Co, Centre – 9201 Islington Ave., Woodbridge – 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. – Jaci Gecelter – 647-283-3676
Mon, Tues & Wed...Sherwood Centre; Fennell & Upper Ottawa Sts. Hamilton - with Carol Murray - call first 905-575-5895
Tues....Loretto Inn, Loretto, ON. Lessons with Deanna Allan deannaandernie@bell.net
Tues.....Club 300 Dance Studio, 146 Kennedy Rd. Markham with Carman Mah - 416- 297-6455
Tues & Thur...The Herbert H. Carnegie Centennial Centre, 580 Finch Ave. West with Danny Ray - 416- 398-3534
Tues & Fri... Unique Training Club, 7780 Woodbine Ave, Markham, Ont. – with Michele Carver - 519-823-1368
Tuesdays… 6:00 - 9:30 p.m. - Royal Canadian Legion, 9 Dawes Road (Sth. of Danforth) with Fred & Eddie Buckley 416-461-0256
Wed...…7 - 8pm (begginer) 8 - 10pm (beginner/intermediate) Victoria Park United Church, 1Stamford Square North $7.00 per person - Instructors - Sue Frach & Dan Deveaux
Thurs....Loretto Inn, Loretto, ON. Lessons with Deanna Allen deannaandernie@bell.net
Thur.... Oro, ON. Couples Partner Dance Lessons with Shirley Robinson & Larry Metcalfe . We teach Partner Pattern dances, Couples Free Flow dances, 2 Step, Waltz & East Coast Swing. Register through Oro Medonte Township Office 705-487-2171, ask for Justin Hodgkinson. For more information contact Shirley shirleyrobinson@sympatico.ca
FRIDAYS [DANCE]...German Village, 6854 Garner Rd., Niagara Falls, ON – 7:30-11:30 - Lorraine Young lor.young@sympatico.ca
UPCOMING EVENTS, WORKSHOPS, DANCES ETC.
LET'S DANCE - FOR UP TO DATE INFO ON ALL THE DANCES & EVENTS -
http://www.coolcountrynights.com
Please forward new listings, changes, and requests to: Robert Fielder 12 Harmsworth Ave., Brampton, Ontario, Canada N6X 2N3
Buffalo NY Dancing
at http://rsmith102006.tripod.com/index.html
There is a lot of great dancing information.
2010 |

Quality Hotel Parkway Convention Centre
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
Just 15 minutes from Niagara Falls!
Reservations: 1-877-688-2324 (Dance Line Room Block)
♦ over 12,000 sq ft of side-by-side ballroom space ♦ room rate includes up to 4 people in a room ♦
plenty of food choices nearby ♦ JJ Kapps Backyard BBQ Steak & Grill onsite ♦ Timothy’s World
Coffee Lounge onsite ♦indoor pool, whirlpool & sauna ♦Jacuzzi suites available ♦in-room coffee
makers ♦FREE parking! ♦vendors ♦designated “beginner” level workshop room evening dance
ballrooms…country/oldies and anything goes ♦a short 15 minute drive to the Falls!
♦
Confirmed InstructorsPeter Metelnick, England
¨ Jamie Marshall, Nashville, TN ¨Alison Biggs, England
¨ Mark Cosenza, Chicago, IL ¨ Dancin' Dean, St. Albans Bay, VT ¨Jennie Johns, Windsor, ON
¨ Laura Koetje, Oshawa, ON ¨Judy McDonald, Oakville, ON
DJs
Jill Babinec, Youngstown, OH
¨ Lynn Warden, Niagara Falls, ONFor further information contact
judymcdonald@cogeco.ca
or (416) 220-5688Online Registration Forms - www.judymcdonald.ca
UCWDC fully sanctioned event.
1.8.09(line dance only – check website for registration deadline)
BUS COMING FROM THE MARITIMES TO THE "CANADIAN LINE DANCE CLASSIC" -
Mar. 19-21, 2010
Hello everyone, (especially the Maritimers)
I have contacted a bus tour company to plan a bus trip to Judy McDonald's Line Dance Classic to be held March 19-21/ 2010 in St. Catherines, Ontario. The bus tour company is now preparing a package for me. Plans are just in the preliminary stages but before I go any further with this I would like to know if anyone would be interested in participating. If I see that the interest is there, I will pursue with planning.
The information I have so far is this: There would be at least 2 pick-ups; one in the Moncton region and another in the Campbellton area, departure would be either Thursday or Friday. If the departure is Thursday, we would probably sleep one night in Quebec. The bus can sit 52 people but we would need at least 35 to make it affordable. The price would include: transportation, accommodation, all workshops and more. Meals would be extra. This is the information I have so far, more to come if we move ahead.
Please give me your feedback on this as soon as possible.
Awaiting you responses.
Nicole LeBrun
Campbellton, NB





~ MAY 14 & 15, 2010 ~
registration forms now available
email shirley to send you a copy
ARMY NAVY AIRFORCE CLUB, 7 GEORGE STREET, BARRIE, ONTARIO
YOUR INSTRUCTORS:
WE WELCOME BACK The Fabulous and Funny

JOANNE BRADY
AND
FOR THE FIRST TIME Mr. Showcase Himself
JOHN ROBINSON
$65.00 if you register before March 1st, 2010
$75.00 after March 1st, 2010
no refunds
Friday Dance 8:00 p.m. – midnight
Saturday workshop
including lunch & Instruction booklet
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday dance 8:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
D.J. Lynn Warden
HOSTED BY SHIRLEY ROBINSON
email –

BELIEVE IN THE CURE 
BRAND NEW Linedancing workshop June 4 & 5, 2010
Net proceeds to the Canadian Cancer Society for Breast Cancer Research
Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #6
1450 2nd Ave. East, Owen Sound, Ont.
-Guest Instructors-
Anita McNab, Fred Buckley, Michele Carver,
-Event DJ-
Lynn Warden
-Event Director-
-Event Co-ordinators-
Shelley Blake –519-378-0274 or sb_djrlvr@hotmail.com
-Penny Auction, 50/50, raffle and much more-
Cut along line and submit bottom portion
-REGISTRATION-
Refunds on cancellation of event only. RSVP by April 30, 2010
City & Province/State ________________________________________ Postal Code/Zip ___________________
Phone # _____________________________ Email ______________________________________________
__Weekend Package - $55.00 ($65.00 after April 30, 2010)
__ Friday Night Dance only - $15.00
__ Saturday Workshop only - $40.00
__ Saturday Workshop & Dance - $55.00
__ Saturday Night Dance only - $15.00
Make cheques payable to: Wendy Ainsworth, 550 6th Ave. East, Owen Sound, Ont. N4K 2V2
-RELEASE INFORMATION-
I (we) the undersigned, agree to hold the organizers of this event and all their agents harmless from all suits, claims or demands of every kind arising out of, and in conjunction with this event. I (we) certify that we are 19 years of age or older. Signature (of workshop participants, spectators and anyone else’s name on this form) is required.
Signature: __________________________________ Date: ___________ Printed Name: ________________________
OWEN SOUND INN
519-371-3011 $79.99 rm
Travelodge workshop price
880 10th St. East 519-371-9297 $89.99 rm
Comfort Inn no special
955 9th Ave East 519-371-5500
Days Inn workshop price
950 6th St. East
519-376-1551 $149.99rm
-Places to Eat-
(near the hotels)
East Side Mario’s Swiss Chalet
Kelsey’s Wendy’s
Montana’s A & W
Boston Pizza Pizza Hut
DIRECTIONS TO OWEN SOUND
FROM TORONTO AREA:
STRAIGHT UP HIGHWAY 10 . (OWEN SOUND INN ON RIGHT)
TURN LEFT AT 9TH AVE EAST(TRAVELODGE ON LEFT)
DOWN HILL, ACROSS TOWN TO 2ND AVE WEST (UPI ON RIGHT)
TURN RIGHT, DRIVE 3 BLOCKS TO STOPLIGHTS.
LEGION ON THE LEFT JUST THRU THE INTERSECTION
PARKING ON THE LEFT JUST PAST THE BUILDING
FROM ORILLIA AREA:
TAKE HORSESHOE VALLEY ROAD TO HIGHWAY 26, PAST MALL
TURN LEFT AT 9TH AVE EAST AND 16TH ST. (PETRO CAN. ON LEFT)
NEXT STOP LIGHT TURN RIGHT (TRAVELODGE ON THE RIGHT)
DOWN HILL, ACROSS TOWN TO 2ND AVE WEST (UPI ON RIGHT)
TURN RIGHT, DRIVE 3 BLOCKS TO STOPLIGHTS.
LEGION ON THE LEFT JUST THRU THE INTERSECTION
PARKING ON THE LEFT JUST PAST THE BUILDING
FROM NIAGARA FALLS AREA:
TAKE QEW TO HIGHWAY 403 TO HIGHWAY 6 TO OWEN SOUND
TURN LEFT AT 9TH AVE EAST(TRAVELODGE ON LEFT)
DOWN HILL, ACROSS TOWN TO 2ND AVE WEST (UPI ON RIGHT)
TURN RIGHT, DRIVE 3 BLOCKS TO STOPLIGHTS.
LEGION ON THE LEFT JUST THRU THE INTERSECTION
PARKING ON THE LEFT JUST PAST THE BUILDING
FOURTEENTH ANNUAL
& BBQ STEAK/CHICKEN DINNER
DANCE (two floors)
(LINE, COUPLE/PARTNER AND BUCKLE-POLISHING)
Boarding at Orillia Dock (behind the Legion)
Saturday, June 19TH, 2010
Boarding Time: 6:15 P.M.
Return Time: 10:30 P.M. (approx.)
Price: $55.00 per person (includes dinner and dance)
Cash Bar on Board
No refunds
Tickets: Call Shirley at 705-327-1629 or
e-mail: shirleyrobinson@sympatico.ca
32 Shannon Street
Orillia, Ontario
L3V 7K4

DANCIN' FOR MIRACLES - SEPT. 10 - 12, 2010, WASAGA BEACH, ON, CANADA
"FALL IN STEP" LINEDANCE WORKSHOP 
"Special Guests" include Joanne Brady, John Robinson, Junior Willis, some of our bestest local instructors and YOU!
Please contact Pat at 716-635-0556 or Lorraine at 716-471-8925 for more info or email me lorrainehapeman@yahoo.com
Fall In Step Line Dance Workshop Weekend
featuring
JOANNE BRADY
JOHN ROBINSONand
JUNIOR WILLIS
along with Lorraine Hapeman and other area instructors
with
DJ - Lynn Warden (Niagara Falls, Ontario)
September 17-19, 2010
The Leonard Post - VFW Post 6251
2450 Walden Avenue at Nagel Drive
Cheektowaga, New York
(5 minutes from the Buffalo Airport)


Country Western
Partner Dance
Newsletter
For Week Commencing 30 11 09
From The Editors:
To all instructors, it would be greatly appreciated if you could please submit the title and the choreographers name(s) of the Partner Dances that you have either taught or reviewed to enable an A to Z schedule to be created.
This schedule will beneficial in promoting Country Western Partner Dancing and keep all newsletter members across the globe informed: -
To assist you with the clarification of the categories we would suggest the following: -
Partner Dances – Current:
Is a new dance for your class and which could be up to 4 to 5 years of age since publication.
Partner Dances – Reviewed:
Is a dance which you have previously taught your class and re-capped.
Partner Dances - Golden Oldie:
Is a Golden Oldie / Classic dance which is older than 5 years of age since publication.
Hope this helps.
--------------------------------------------
A – Z Partner Dance Teaching Schedules
Partner Dances: September 2009
Partner Dances - Current:
Brand New – Karen & Nigel Poll.
Cabo Crazy- Carol & George Stayle
Don't Tell Me - Ann Williams
Double Action - Chris and Trev
Foolish - Al & Sandy Ord
King Of Your Heart - Chris & Trev x 2
Let Your Momma Go - Carol & George Stayte
Loved By You - Ann Williams x 2
Make Me A Dancer - Chris & Trev
Maybe Next Time - Diane Jackson x 2
Moonlight Bliss - Carol & George Stayte
Quickdraw Swing - Chris & Trevor (Lonestar)
Strawberries & Cream - Jim & Nen Godsall
Spirit of the Angel – Jeff & Thelma Mills x 6
This Train - Al & SAndy Ord x 2
Toes Together – Adapted by Carol & George Stayte
Trust Us - Ann Williams x 3
You Belong To Me - John & Kate Corbett
Partner Dances – Reviewed:
Dancing On ice – Terry & Caroline French
In Love With Me - Gilles Labrecque
Rumba Stroll - Diane Jackson
Simply Traditional - Robert Jackson
Tricky Kicks - Ann Williams
Partner Dances - Golden Oldies:
Friendship Cha Cha – Brian Bambury
Jackson Stroll – Dianne Jackson
Wildwood Rose - DJ Dan & Wynette Miller
Wishes - Sonny Klemm & Jeff & Lindy
New Town Cha Cha - Diane Jackson
Can’t Let Go – Jeff & Thelma Mills
The above partner dance schedules have been submitted by: -
Al & Sandy Ord - Diamond Country and Boots and Buckles
Carol & George Stayte - Stayteside CW Dancers
Chris & Trev - Lonestar Western Partner Dance Club
David & Carol Dabbs – The Dance Ranch
David & Lesley Mather – Silver Wings Western Dance Club
Jeff & Thelma Mills –
Jim & Nen Godsall –
Keith & Debbie Meadows – Tuesday Night Stompers
Partner Dances: October 2009
Partner Dances - Current:
City Lights Swing - DJ Dan & Wynette Miller
Don't Tell Me - Ann Williams x 2
Double
Foolish - Al and Sandy Ord
Good To Be Here - Carol & George Stayte
I Told You - Dave & Lesley Mather
I will always - Ann Williams
I'm Gonna Love You Tonight - Diane Girard & Jacques Godin.
King Of Your Heart - Chris & Trev
Raspberry Ripple – Jim & Nen Godsall
Spirit of An Angel - Jeff & Thelma Mills
This Train - Al & SAndy Ord x 2
Trust Us - Ann Williams x 2
Partner Dances – Reviewed:
Dancin'Time - Carol & George Stayte
Don't Look Away - Diane Jackson
Country DJ - Diane Jackson
Kickin' Around - Carol & George Stayte
Lets Bosa Nova - Pim Humphrey
Don't Tell Me - Ann Williams
Laid Back N' Low Key - Allen Matthias
So Many Things To Do - Hazel Pace
Flow Together - Jeff & Thelma Mills
Wishes - Sonny Klemm, Jeff and Lindy Wilson.
Step In Line - Diane Jackson
This Is Us Too - Pat & Ray Cartwright
Partner Dances - Golden Oldies:
Normansland 2000 - John Sandham
Walking Cha Cha – Unknown Choreographer
The above partner dance schedules have been submitted by: -
Andy & Chris Malpass – Country Choice Partner Dancers
Chris & Trev - Lonestar Western Partner Dance Club
David & Carol Dabbs – The Dance Ranch
David & Lesley Mather – Silver Wings Western Dance Club
Jeff & Thelma Mills –
Carol & George Stayte - Stayteside CW Dancers
Partner Dances: November 2009
Partner Dances - Current:
Angel of No Mercy – Pat & Ray Cartwright
Buy Me A Rose – Mabel Thompson
Cabo Crazy – Carol & George Stsyte
Don’t Tell Me – Ann Williams
King of Your Heart – Chris & Trev
Make Me A Dancer – Chris & Trev
My True Love – Allen Matthias
No More Cloudy Days – Alan Birchall
On Your Marks Partners - Adapted by Pim Humphrey
Our World – Hazel Pace
Ribbons & Roses - Hazel Pace
Rooster! – Jim & Nen Godsall
Spirit of the Angel – Jeff & Thelma Mills
Toes Together – Rachel McEnaney
We Can Dream – Pim Humphrey
This Train - Al & Sandy Ord
Partner Dances – Reviewed:
Aprils Fool – Diane Jackson
Aztec Shuffle – Terry & Caroline French
Bob's Friendship - Terry & Caroline French
Burning Desire – Ann Williams
Dancing Hearts – Ann Williams
Heaven's Above - Lynn & Barry Gannon
I Told You - Dave & Lesley Mather
Strawberries & Cream - Jim & Nen Godsall
You must be joking - Hazel Pace
J & J W – Jeff & Thelma Mills
Jubilee Stroll – Diane Jackson
Moonlight Rumba – Larry & Cowley & Sue White
Oh
She Believes In us – Ann Williams
Partner Dances - Golden Oldies:
North Star - Stan & Anita Reynolds
Touring around - Diane Jackson
ChaMaica Mambo - Diane Jackson
The above partner dance schedules have been submitted by: -
Cassey Rowe - Culpepper Western partner Dance Class
David & Lesley Mather – Silver Wings Western Dance Club
Jeff & Thelma Mills –
Jim & Nen Godsall –
Sue & Martin Watts - CWNN WDC
--------------------------------------------
Partner Dance Sheets
The following New Partner Dance Sheets have been posted on Pim’s web site: www.bannersandboots.com
A Little Xmas Dance – David & Lesley Mather / Jeff & Thelma Mills
Why Don’t We Just Dance (4) (2) – Fred & Heather Staddon
(Also attached as a PDF file)
--------------------------------------------
Alan & Sonia’s Web Site
Hi there, here is this weeks additions to our Video Web pages,
Partner Dance Videos A-Z: -
5 New Partner Dances: -
Big Big Love - Diane Girard & Jacques Godin
The Houston Shuffle - Diane Girard & Jacques Godin
Just Like Her - Josie Copley
Raspberry Ripple - Jim & Nen Godsall
Rooster! - Jim & Nen Godsall
1 Oldie Partner Dance: -
Dance With You - Sandy Nelson & Mike Rachwal
Holiday & Home Videos: -
Fremont Street " Born to be Wild " Video Light Show, Las Vegas
Circus, Circus Hotel & Fremont Street Area, Las Vegas
The Las Vegas Strip Near our Hotel (clip1 )
The Las Vegas Strip Near our Hotel ( clip 2 )
The Country Connections Show at Dollywood
The Dollywood Pine Theatre, Graham T Brown Show
Gatlinburg, The Smoky Mountains & Cherokee Village
All of the above Videos have been also put into our Recently Added Video Webpage.
Happy Dancing & Viewing
besy wishes
Alan & Sonia
http://alan-and-sonia.webs.com
Hi there, at long last we are now able to publish the full itinary of all the Tours that we are running from Great Britain to USA, these are country music based tours and hope that some of you can join Myself and Sonia on some of them during 2010, you can have a look at all the Tours that we have on offer by following the link below.
Brochures are now available for the tours containing all the information that you need plus a booking form for you, if you require a copy mailing out to you, you can contact me by phone, e.mail or by post, all the contact details are on our contact page on the Country Music Tours USA website.
http://country-music-tours-usa.webs.com/
Following enquiries from people we are now able to offer the Country Music Tours to People who are from ouside the United Kingdom, there are various ways open to us to get you to the United States and after consultation with George Pick Travel, George has siad that If you want to contact George initialy by e.mail then he will contact you and follow this up for you, Georges e.mail address is as follows :- george@gptravel.co.uk Many thanks for your enquiries and we look forward to seeing some of you on our Tours.
Best Wishes
Alan & Sonia
--------------------------------------------
Alternative Partner Dance Music
Partner Dance Alternative Music
Promised - J.Starmar & E. Sheward Good Year For The Roses - Elvis Costello
So Easy – Andy & Chris Malpass Mama - Miko Marks
In My Dreams – Jim & Nen Godsall Buenas Noches from a Lonely Room
(She Wore Red Dresses) Dwight Yoakam
Cornish Hustle - John & Jeanette Sandham Today I Started Loving You Again
Kalibre
Touring Around - Diane Jackson It's Hard To Kiss The Lips At Night
Cherry Bombs
Sunset Mambo - Pete Burdack High Cotton -
East Coast Switch Singing the Blues
- Fred Rappaport & Debbie Small The
Harmony Stroll - Diane Jackson I'll Take These - Dwight Yoakam
This Is Us Too - Pat & Ray Cartwright Don't Make Me Beg -Steve Holy
I Don't Mind - Jon S and Sylvia Angel Of No Mercy - Colin Raye
I Fall To Pieces – I Fall To Pieces - LeAnn Rimes
Diane Girard & Jacques Godin
On Your Marks Partners High Class Lady – The Lennerockers
Touring Around - Diane Jackson You Can't give up on Love
- Alan Jackson
This Train - Al & Sandy Ord High Time For Gettin' Down
- Travis Tritt
Nothin' For A Broken Heart by Vince Gill
The above alternative dance music has been submitted by: -
Andy & Chris Malpass – Country Choice Partner Dancers
Brian & Julie Minns - JB Country Western Dancing
David & Lesley Mather – Silver Wings Western Dance Club
Jeff & Thelma Mills –
Stuart McGlary & Ann Helmore - Lazy Boots Western Dancers
Sue & Martin Watts - CWNN WDC
Awaiting further Suggestions, Please
--------------------------------------------
Reports
Awaiting further Reorts, Please
--------------------------------------------
Partner Dance Reviews
Awaiting further Reviews, Please
--------------------------------------------
News from
Miranda Lambert Stays True to Her Musical Vision on Revolution
Miranda Lambert is discussing her latest album, Revolution, when the conversation turns to her guiding principle in the studio.
"Hire great musicians and then let them do what they do," she says. "I don't really like going in there with demos and have them copy the demo or tell them what to play."
Clearly it's working. Her previous project, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, won an ACM award for best country album in 2008. While she established herself as a regular gal on "Famous in a Small Town" (that would be
"You really have to go into this business knowing exactly what you want to do and what you have to say and surround yourself with people that uplift that," she says. "Otherwise, you'll get lost. I think it's hard to stay true when somebody else may be more successful than you because they compromise a little bit, but you just have to decide if it's worth it."
In this interview, the 25-year-old singer-songwriter talks about setting the mood, making music with boyfriend Blake Shelton and discovering the new song that made her cry.
Q: "White Liar" has 30 seconds of buildup before your voice comes in. When you were in the studio listening to that intro, what was going through your mind?
Lambert: Long intros are cool because there's a little bit of anticipation, you know? And this song really has a story to tell, so I wanted to make sure people are listening good before I actually start telling the story. I was standing there the whole time when they started, and the way it happened was, they were just kind of noodling around for a while and I started singing and that's how we left it, just naturally where I came in.
When I heard "Only Prettier," I tried to imagine you as the cute all-American girl.
Yeah, I don't think that would really work for me. I'm all-American in some ways, and in some ways, I definitely like to push the limits a little bit because it keeps it interesting. I'd rather have people who love me and hate me than just be vanilla and everybody being like, "Ehh, she's OK."
You rarely hear songs as poetic as "The House That Built Me." How did you find it?
"The House That Built Me" is a life-changing song for me. I love it. I found it on a CD for Blake. We were listening to songs for him to cut. That song came on, and my reaction to it was, I just cried. I don't really cry when I listen to music, but that song definitely hit me really hard. I asked Blake if I could have it, and he was like, "Yeah." So we called the producers that night at midnight, and we were like, "Can we switch this? It's on hold for Blake. Can we put it on hold for Miranda?"
I feel so blessed I got to have that song and got to cut it because I know if other artists would have gotten it first, it would have been snatched up. It's the first time I've ever found a song like the way you're "supposed to," on a pitch CD from a songwriter in
Do your parents still live in the same house you grew up in?
My parents live right down the street from the house I grew up in. I grew up in one house until I was 14, and they live in the house where I lived from 14 on. Our friends live in the old house, actually. My mom went and took pictures of it for me and e-mailed them to me when I was cutting the song. I didn't tell her why. I just told her I needed pictures of the old house. I had them on the music stand in front of me when I was recording that song.
What does your mom think of the song?
Oh, gosh, she still cries every time she hears it, and she's already heard it like 30 times. (laughs)
Which of the songs is Blake singing on?
He sang on "Maintain the Pain." He's screaming in the background in the very end. ... He did the work tape for me. He was playing guitar for me on my computer. He started singing in the background, humming, and I thought it sounded really cool, so I was like, "Will you do that on the record?" ... We like to collaborate in an unconventional way because we're so different and we really want to keep our careers separate, but since we worked together on this record, I thought it'd be cool to have him somewhere.
Do you schedule time in advance to write?
No, we've tried that before, and it didn't work. If we schedule it, we normally don't end up doing it. But if it happens organically, it usually ends up good. ... He'll just be sitting there playing the guitar, or I will, and it will lead into a songwriting session. He has a bunch of guitars and I have one at my house, so there's always one leaning in a corner somewhere.
Does every song you write end up on a record?
There are some songs that other people wrote that took the place of mine on this record. There were a few songs that I wrote by myself but just weren't as good as "The House That Built Me" or "Time to Get a Gun." I'd love to write for other people. I have a lot of songs that I don't necessarily want to cut myself that just aren't for my records but that I really want other artists to cut.
How does that happen?
I don't know. It hasn't happened for me yet. (laughs) When it does, I'll let you know.
The Music Moments of the Decade
It seems odd to reflect, on this Thanksgiving 2009, that we are about to embark on the second decade of a new century. But it's also a good time to look back on the music of the past decade and think about the songs that have meant the most during those years.
Not necessarily the most popular songs, but the songs that captured an era, the ones that arrived in a lightning flash and a thunderbolt, the songs that signaled a shift in the audience or in the music or in both. These are songs that -- for better or for worse -- had a profound impact on the country music world. In a word, they mattered. And they still do matter. Here are 10 significant songs:
• "I Hope You Dance," Lee Ann Womack (2000) -- A bit of a greeting card song, a trifle mawkish and sappy? So what, if it makes millions of people feel good and uplifted, if only for a little while. And if it leaves a warm afterglow, so much the better. In the end, it's genuine.
• "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)," Alan Jackson (2001) -- When Alan debuted this at the 2001 CMA Awards show at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry House, people all around me were standing and openly weeping. The next day, I had friends around the country calling and asking me if I could get them a copy. "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)" is without a doubt the most healing song in country music's -- and maybe all of popular music's -- history.
• "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)," Toby Keith (2002) -- One of the music's most polarizing moments. Are we loud braggarts who think we can defeat insurgent, guerilla enemies with massive shock-and-awe shows of bombing-'em-back-to-the-stone-age? And verbal bombast? Or are we realists who intuit that it's not that simple? Me, I'm all for speaking softly and carrying a big stick and not being afraid to use it, in the right way. That goes for music as well as warfare.
• "Travelin' Soldier," Dixie Chicks (2002) -- For me, this Bruce Robison-penned song is the Chicks' best single ever. It was also their last No. 1 song, as the radio firestorm over their George Bush comments effectively began to torpedo their career. And a certain era in country music ended -- one of an adventuresome spirit in new, but tradition-based, music. Who knows what they could have accomplished if Natalie Maines had only had a little common sense. But the song remains a gem.
• "Three Wooden Crosses," Randy Travis (2003) -- This is a great song on its own, and it also proved that there is always room in country music for a traditional song that also expresses overt spirituality and faith. And it showed that such a song can still become a No. 1 hit. Thankfully, there's plenty of room in country for beer and babes and bongs, and there's also room for matters of greater import.
• "Redneck Woman," Gretchen Wilson (2004) -- Gretchen Wilson tapped into a vein of country music that no one else sensed was there. That vein was a growing sense of identity by an ignored and overlooked group of women country listeners. Redneck pride soared as a result, for women and then for men, as well. And gradually the term "redneck" itself began to shed the stigma that many people liked to attach to country fans -- and to Southerners, in particular.
• "Kerosene," Miranda Lambert (2005) -- Women kept rising up, now with a much stronger and more militant stance. After this flamethrower of a song, Miranda threatened to use gunpowder and lead and maybe even worse. The little sissies at online music sites were in awe of Miranda as "the most dangerous woman in country music." May she make subversive music forever.
• "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk," Trace Adkins (2005) -- I know Jamey Johnson was a co-writer, but I don't hold it against him. I respect Trace as an artist, and I don't hold it against him, either. It's a tough business climate in country music these days. But "Badonkadonk" and especially its accompanying video represent the absolute bottom for country music. And this opened the floodgates for even more vulgar songs and trashy videos and even gave skin a bad name. Everyone involved is capable of much better.
• "Tim McGraw," Taylor Swift (2006) -- The true beginning of an era. "Tim McGraw" was both Swift's calling card and her first chart entry (rising to No. 6 on the Billboard country chart). It also served as a call to arms for all her fellow teen sisters who had never before been noticed or taken seriously by country music. The notion of a teenager writing for other teenagers was then an alien idea. No more. This was the first salvo of a coming revolution, coming from a willowy 16-year-old guerilla fighter.
• "In Color," Jamey Johnson (2008) -- For me, and I think for a lot of other people, "In Color" marked the return and validation of serious, thoughtful, mature and lasting country music. I could sense the spirits of Jimmie Rodgers and Woody Guthrie and Hank Williams and Waylon Jennings listening and nodding in affirmation. Jamey carries a lot of country with him.
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Diary of Country Western Dance Festivals
2010
Saturday 13th March 2010
Starts 11.00am - Finishes 11.30 pm
Partner workshops
Dance the night away with ‘
All Day & Evening Ticket £17.50 - Evening £5.50
Social dancing caters for all forms of Country Western Dance - Line - Partner - Couple
Jeff & Thelma Mills - 01886 821772
Email: temevalleywd@btinternet.com
Diamond Country Easter Dance Festival
2nd - 5th April 2010
Barnwell Village Hall, Barnwell
Nr Peterborough PE8 5RB
Live Music Saturday and Sunday Evening
Dance Instruction Saturday and Sunday Daytime
Weekend on site camping available
Full Weekend £33pp £12 for camping
Day/Evening visitors only if booked in advanced. No Bar - BYO
Al and Sandy Ord - 01480 351742 or al.ord@btinternet.com
Absolute Country ‘Couples’ Western Dance Festival
18th – 19th – 20th June 2010
Starts 7.30pm Friday - Finishes 3.30pm Sunday.
Martley Village Hall, Martley, Worcestershire
Workshops Saturday & Sunday covering: 2 Step - Night Club 2 Step and other ‘Couples’ dances with instruction for beginners to intermediates.
Live music.
Weekend ticket £42.50 - Camping on site £10.00
Social dancing caters for all forms of Country Western Dance:
Line - Partner – Couple - Slot
Jeff & Thelma Mills - 01886 821772
Email: temevalleywd@btinternet.com
17th - 18th - 19th September 2010
Starts 7.30pm Friday - Finishes 4.00pm Sunday
Partner workshops Saturday & Sunday
3 Bands booked – Friday and Saturday evenings + Sunday afternoon
Weekend Ticket £40.50 per person. Camping on site £8.00
Social dancing caters for all forms of Country Western Dance - Line - Partner - Couple
Jeff & Thelma Mills - 01886 821772
Email: temevalleywd@btinternet.com
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Directory of Country Western Dance Clubs & Venues
This directory of clubs and venues are recommended by fellow newsletter members that cater for all forms of Country Western Dance: Line / Partner / Couples / Slot, which will hopefully be useful to members when planning a holiday or weekends away.
Please forward your recommendations to build the directory.
Westcott Country
Westcott Sports & Social Club,
Buckinghamshire. HP18 0NZ (
Contact: Brian & Julie Minns
Telephone: 01869 327705.
Email: jbwesterndance@aol.com
Web Site: www.jbwesterndance.co.uk
The Golden Eagle Country Music Club
Victoria Hall,
Telephone: 01442 824512
Blazin Saddles Country & Western Club
Brooklands School Hall,
Telephone: 01525 375544
Whitbourne, Worcestershire. WR6 5SP (
Bromyard, Herefordshire. HR7 4QS (
Contact: Jeff & Thelma Mills
Telephone: 01886 821772
Email: temevalleywd@btinternet.com
Diamond Country Western Dance Club
Little Paxton Village Hall,
Contact: Al & Sandy Ord
Telephone: 01480 351742
Email: al.ord@btinternet.com
Boots & Buckles
Medway Centre,
Contact: Al & Sandy Ord
Telephone: 01480 351742
Email: al.ord@btinternet.com
Triple C Western Dance Club
Corsham Centre,
Contact: Ann or Stuart
Telephone: 01249 712257.
Email: stuart@triplec-wdc.co.uk
Web Site: www.triplec-wdc.co.uk
Culpepper Club
Contact: Cassey Rowe
telephone: 01268 285996
Email: rowe.rowe@btconnect.com
Website: www.culpepper-club.com
Fancy Feet
Contact: Jean & Andy Webb
Telephone: 07984 188972
Email:
Website: www.fancyfeetblackpool.com
Silver
St.
Warrington. WA5 4PS
Contact: David & Lesley Mather
Email: davemather@excite.com
Email: thomas.ruffley@ntlworld.com
Website: http://www.silverwingswdc.co.uk
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Editor’s Notes
Spread the Word:
If you know of a fellow instructor or dancer who may wish to receive a copy of this weekly newsletter, please ask them to email us and they can be added to the mailing list.
Many thanks.
New Partner Dance Scripts:
Please submit your new Partner Dance Scripts to me for distribution to all newsletter members; I will also forward a copy to Pim for publication on her web site @ www.bannersandboots.com
You’re Editors:
Jeff & Thelma Mills
Email: temevalleywd@btinternet.com
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Useful Web Links
Alan & Sonia’s web site: www.freewebs.com/alan-and-sonia
Arjjaze Western Dancers web site: www.arjjazedance.free-online.co.uk
Banners and Boots web site: www.bannersandboots.com
Bear Essentials: www.bearessential.co.uk
Culpepper Club: www.culpepper-club.com
Dance One: www.danceone.org.uk
Dollar & Dime: www.dollaranddime.me.uk
Fancy Feet
JB Country Western Dancing: www.jbwesterndance.co.uk
Lazy Boots Western Dancers: www.lazyboots.co.uk
National Teacher’s Association for Country Western Dance: www.ntadance.com
Silver Wings Western Dance Club: www.silverwingswdc.co.uk
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