Buddy Weaver Podcast

A star that burned bright but brief was that of Jerry Schatzer.  In the seventies, Jerry began a national travel calling career that saw him quickly become one of the most popular callers in the country.  Featured at festivals, weeks and weekends, recordings, Jerry Schatzer was well-known up to his passing in in 1986. Here is a live dance recording from the George Knox collection.  From 1982 in No...

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 behin...

Ken Bower is one of the most iconic callers in modern western square dancing.  As popular and sought after today as he was fifty-five years ago.  This was a studio recorded collection of singing calls, some originally done by him and some by his friends. Keep this podcast going by making a contribution using the button below. SUPPORT THIS PODCAST

Here is part two of the dance covered in the previous episode of this podcast. Lots of hours went into re-mastering this tape from 1957.  If you are enjoying it, please make a contribution using the button below. SUPPORT THIS PODCAST

Texas caller, Joe Lewis was one of the true pioneers of MWSD.  Among the first to record, his recordings introduced thousands of people to square dancing and brought him to the attention of promoters in Australia.  Those promoters brought Joe Lewis to Australia for a series of lessons.  From this came the start of square dancing in an entire country. Joe Lewis preferred the simpler dances througho...

This episode we feature a vintage Blue Star Records long-play album recorded by Jerry Helt. Released in December 1974 as Blue Star 1029.  Here is an album recorded for dancers wanting to try Contra Dancing. Buddy Weaver provides instructions prior to each of the five Contra dances. Please take a moment to make a gift to offset our production costs.  Every contribution helps and is appreciated. SUP...

ENCORE PRESENTATION This episode takes another look back on vintage square dancing. Seventy years ago, the Santa Monica Diamond Jubilee was the largest square dance ever, a record held to this day.  Present for this huge event were 15,000 dancers and 35,000 spectators.  Also in attendance was California Governor Earl Warren and Hollywood Star, Leo Carrillo.  Hear them welcome the folks.  A true pi...

For dancers who don't have a caller for their SSD dances and for callers learning more about SSD, here is a live Social Square Dance called in San Diego, California in 2023. This episode features the current sound of modern western square dancing with most of the musical accompaniment used, available from buddyweavermusic.com SUPPORT THIS PODCAST

In the 1960's there was a flood of new square dance calls being introduced to the dance enthusiast.  This album includes a large quantity of these new calls, some written by the caller Gordon Blaum.  Both he and Jim Brower are featured on this album, a one of a kind record which was recorded live at the Blue Ridge Square Dance Camp. Please support this podcast by clicking on the link SUPPORT THIS...

Few people in the modern western square dance activity have sustained the popularity that Ken Bower has.  Starting as a traveling professional caller in 1967, he is just as sought after today (2023) and finds himself busy on the festival circuit in the Western United States. This was remastered from a cassette album recorded live in Hemet, California where Ken was the resident caller at Golden Vil...

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 behin...

This podcast advocates for the newest Modern Western Square Dance program - SSD or Social Square Dancing.  A great way to join in square dancing where classes take 25 hours to learn the complete program. Today's episode features the recording stars of Hi Hat Music.  All of the accompaniment was created by Mr. Hiroshi Yaoko from Tokyo, Japan.  This is excellent for home use, when you don't have a c...

Here is the second half of the live dance recording of the great Frank Lane.  Recorded at a dance in the Bay Area of California in 1978.  Be sure to listen to part one in last weeks podcast. From the George Knox collection of tapes. Keep this podcast going by making a contribution using the button below. MAKE A DONATION

In the history of popular callers in modern western square dancing, Frank Lane was tops on the travel calling circuit.  A full-time traveling caller since 1948, he would drive coast-to-coast, year after year.  One of the most sought after callers in the history of our activity. Here is a live dance called in the Bay Area in 1978.  From a cassette tape part of the George Knox collection.  Today's d...

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 behin...

ENCORE PRESENTATION This episode is the first in a series on the largest square dance ever.  Santa Monica, California celebrated it's seventy-fifth anniversary with a big outdoor square dance.  An estimated 15,000 folks danced under a clear sky on the Pacific Ocean with 35,000 spectators to cheer them on. The event was recorded.  That reel-to-reel tape has been digitally remastered and is presente...

For dancers who don't have a caller for their SSD dances and for callers learning more about SSD, here is a live Social Square Dance called in San Diego, California in 2023. This episode features the current sound of modern western square dancing. Keep this podcast going by making a contribution using the button below. MAKE A DONATION

The Recording Artist for Hi Hat Records were featured at a Trail-In Dance to the Anaheim National Square Dance Convention in 1976.  This album is the highlights from that dance. Featured callers are Bob Wickers, Bill Stone, Lee Schmidt, Dave Hoffman, Dick Waibel, and Ernie Kinney. Keep this podcast going by making a contribution using the button below. MAKE A DONATION

The second part of a featuring the calling of Singing Sam Mitchell.  Be sure to listen to part one in episode 439 to take in a dance. Keep this podcast going by making a contribution using the button below. MAKE A DONATION

One of the prominent names in National Traveling Square Dance Calling circuit of yesterday is Singing Sam Mitchell.  His presentation skills set him apart from other callers of the time and here he is in a live dance recording around 1962. Keep this podcast going by making a contribution using the button below. MAKE A DONATION

Buddy Weaver, host of this podcast is producer of Blue Star, Hi Hat, and Rawhide Music labels.  Some of the most popular music in modern western square dancing.  This feature has eight of Buddy's favorites, each cut using calls from the SSD - Social Square Dance program.   This is an excellent resource for dancers without a caller and for callers researching material for smooth SSD dancing. The si...

Here is Plus level (intermediate level) square dancing patter calls.  Our featured caller is Vic Ceder, one of the most creative MWSD callers today.  This is great for practice dancing in your home. The following accompaniment is used: "Forked Tail Deer" on Hi Hat Music 1029 "Coffee Rumba" on Hi Hat Music 1019 "Money Maker" on Hi Hat Music 1023 "Pride Of The Province" on Hi Hat Music 1028 "Pipelin...

This episode we feature a vintage Blue Star Records long-play album recorded by Lee Kopman. Released in October 1974 as Blue Star 1028.  Here is an album recorded for the high-level or challenge square dancer.  One of the first of its kind.   Please take a moment to make a gift to offset our production costs.  Every contribution helps and is appreciated. MAKE A DONATION

This podcast advocates for the newest Modern Western Square Dance program - SSD or Social Square Dancing.  A great way to join in square dancing where classes take 25 hours to learn the complete program. Today's episode features Staff Recording Artists calling singing calls using the SSD program.  This is excellent for home use, when you don't have a caller, or for callers to use as a learning res...

Previously featured in this podcast series, Johnnie Wykoff, from the early sixties until his passing in 2000, was a popular caller and recording artist.  Johnnie Wykoff recorded 169 singles, mostly on Blue Star, with today's episode highlighting one of his cassette albums. Learn more about Johnnie Wykoff here Keep this podcast going by making a contribution using the button below. MAKE A DONATION