Doc Alumbaugh, At the presentation of Callerlab's prestigious Milestone Award, it was said that Doc Alumbaugh was one of the first callers to travel and call in States outside his own home area. He founded one of the first Square Dance Record Companies, Windsor Records. In 1952 at the First National Square Dance Convention in California, Doc presented a workshop of styling suggestions, which are presented here for callers and dancers to read and learn.
Ed Gilmore, An early pioneer in caller education, Ed Gilmore probably conducted more caller classes than anyone, in the two decades prior to his death in 1971. Although much of his time was spent on the road, calling at festivals and conducting, he always maintained a strong, home club program. Ed Gilmore is a Callerlab Milestone recipient. Ed Gilmore's Callers Institute on June 8, 1952 was recorded and transcribed, here is a must read article.
Les Gotcher, Les was one of the first to visualize the challenges of Square Dancing, he surprised the Square Dance world by combining the basics, a forerunner of much of the sight calling and position dancing of today. As an author of many texts on calling, Les became a model for countless young callers coming into the activity. His manual "Les Gotcher On Sight Calling" captures the fundamentals that every caller should know.
In 1992, Les wrote "Choreography, Body Flow and Timing" for what would be his last caller college
Lee Helsel, was a most respected teacher of callers, who over fifty years ago developed an outstanding plan of instruction and encouragement for new callers. A founding member of Callerlab, a milestone recipient and member of the Square Dance Hall of Fame. From Sets In Order Magazine's Asilomar Institute comes timeless information for the caller from Lee Helsel
Ralph Maxhimer, a caller/cuer who along with his wife, Eve, were founding members of the National Square Dance Convention and the Southern California Caller's Association, which from the start was the largest caller association in the world; Ralph was elected it's first president. This article is great reading for dancer and caller alike. Written over fifty years ago, the message is as important as ever
Jay and Helen Orem, Founding staff members of Sets In Order magazine, Asilomar institutes, and producer of Sets In Order Records. Their article on Square Dance organization is priceless; a must read for anyone involved in clubs or associations.
Bob Ruff, built an outstanding reputation as a teacher of new dancers; his recordings for Sets In Order Records - "the fundamentals of square dancing" are legendary. Bob was a teacher in Los Angeles schools and a recipient of Callerlab's Milestone Award. In 1956, Bob Ruff wrote "Teaching Can Be Fun" for Sets In Order Magazine's, Summer Asilomar institute. His words are presented here
Ernie Kinney,
a living legend in square
dancing today. He has appeared in movies ("Son In Law")
and on dozens of recordings, including the largest selling square dance
record of all time, "El Paso City". Ernie is a former
chairman of Callerlab and his manual on how to teach the Basics Program is a treasure for every caller seeking success in teaching
MWSD.
Buddy
Weaver, owner of the largest square dance music company in the
world and third generation caller, has been around the activity most all
his life. His
presentation to the OCCA about the future of square dance music and
showmanship through music, is a well researched report.