BLUE STAR MUSIC HISTORY

Blue Star Square Dance Music

By Buddy Weaver (4/07) (updated 2012)

It was in April, 1956 that Norm and Nadine Merrbach released BS 1501, "Blue Star Hoedown" and "New Broom", a two sided hoedown on 78 RPM vinyl. Over the next fifty years and three producers, Blue Star Records would release over 1000 records becoming the largest and longest running square & round dance music company in the world.

Norman and Nadine Merrbach, founders of Blue Star Records

Take a look back to see how Blue Star and the square dance world evolved:

1956-1966

1. Earl Caruthers, a "Texas Playboy" with Bob Wills is the lead musician for Blue Star music. Playing as "Earl and his hoedowners", the strong fiddle and bass sound sets the square dance world on fire.

"The Texans" band for Blue Star, 1964

2. The first caller to record on Blue Star is Andy Andrus, a big name caller in Texas; in 1958 a little known caller makes his recording debut with "the Auctioneer" and Marshall Flippo records the first of what will be over a hundred Blue Star Records.

3. Bogan Records, a subsidiary of Blue Star, begins in 1956; through 1997 Bogan releases a total of 198 records.

4. Lore Records, another subsidiary label is formed in 1958 and through 1986 produces 236 releases.

5. Swinging Square Records started in 1959.

6. Bob Fisk makes his recording debut in 1962 on Blue Star with "True Love". Recordings by Bob of "Once A Day", "Early Morning Rain", and "Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree" are today's square dance classics. Bob recorded a "live" dance in North Hollywood, released as a 33 1/3 album - now made available on CD as "Bob Fisk Tribute Album".

Recording artist, Bob Fisk

7. Rockin' A Records, yet another subsidiary label, begins in 1963.

1967-1976

1. In the mid-sixties, the signature sound is provided by Dick Shannon, a dance band leader from Houston. Playing as the "Shannoniers" and "Rhythmaires", they record square dance gold.

2. Ken Bower makes his recording debut in 1967 with "Happy". The singing call "First Thing Every Morning" written by both Dee and Ken Bower was so popular, it was released twice, twenty years apart. Ken returned to Blue Star in 2003 with "Summertime".

3. In 1971, the biggest name in calling is Frank Lane and to get him to join the Blue Star family, a special record label is created, named for the Lane's famous square dance get-away in Estes Park. Dance Ranch Records is started and today, thirty six years later, Dance Ranch is the leading producer of square dance CDs.

4. Johnnie Wykoff makes his solo recording debut in 1973 with "I Believe In Music". Johnnie and Star Wykoff later become owners and producers of Blue Star Records

Jerry Helt & Johnnie Wykoff, 1974

5. Making their recording debut in 1974 is, Wade Driver with "Glory On My Mind" and Lee Kopman with "Challenge Square Dance" Albums

6. Also in 1974, Mike Sikorsky makes his debut with "When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold". Mike returned in 2004 with "Swanee".

7. Bee Sharp started in 1976 as a series of workshop records called by the one and only, Dave Taylor.

1977-1986

1. Petticoat Patter, a subsidiary label is formed in 1982 as the first and to this day, only, record label produced for women callers, recording only women callers.

2. Blue Star's musical sound changes, incorporating popular regional bands like the Fontana Ramblers, who played regularly at Fontana Dam in the Carolinas and Lee Mace's Ozark Opry Band from Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri.

3. A Houston band named Stellar Unit becomes Blue Star's new signature sound; the band records "I Found A New Baby", Blue Star's biggest selling record in the past two decades.

4. By the late eighties, Johnnie Wykoff takes over production of the Blue Star family of labels, as the Merrbachs begin to retire.

1987-1996

1. Under the guidance of Johnnie Wykoff, bands change again and Blue Star music takes on a very modern and distinctly "up-beat" sound.

2. Blue Star is one of the first record labels to offer it's existing catalog of music on digital format - MP3s.

3. Bob Cat Records becomes part of the Blue Star family

1997-Present

1. In 2002, Buddy Weaver becomes owner/producer of the Blue Star family of labels. New music and new vocals start coming from Blue Star and Dance Ranch every month.

2. In 2004, Hi Hat, Blue Ribbon and DJ become part of the Blue Star family of labels, making it the largest square dance record company in the world. With a new band and staff of callers, "New Hi Hat Records" debuts in late 2004 and has been a consistent top selling record label since then.

3. A historic moment in square dance music happens in 2005, when Blue Star Records becomes the first and only label to release it's 1,000th record. Appropriately Marshall Flippo recorded the vocal for BS 2501, "Blue Blue Day"; the initial limited release collectable record pressing is sold out, but the release is available on CD and MP3.

4. In 2006, Blue Star records turned fifty years old - it is the only square dance label that has been in business for fifty years.

5. 1 World Music becomes the newest member of Blue Star's family of square dance labels. Begun in 2007, offering CDs and MP3, all releases feature "modern music for square dancing" as arranged and performed by Mr. Yaoko; included is a called track featuring today's top talent.

6. In 2010, Bob Cat Music is re-activated to feature digitally re-mastered studio tapes of Classic Hi Hat Records music with new vocals by the top name traveling callers

7. Returning to the beginnings of Square Dance recording - DANCES WITH CALLS are available as MP3 downloads. The first of it's kind, now dancers without a caller can enjoy dancing and even spread the activity to their friends. It is 2012 and a new generation discovers Square Dancing through www.buddyweaver.com/music.htm

Famous Blue Star recording artists, Jim Brower, Al "Tex" Brownlee, and Marshall Flippo

Pictured in 1960's and being inducted into Texas Callers Hall Of Fame in 2007

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