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The absence of a physical connection between dancers is, however, a distinguishing feature of country western line dance. Line dances have accompanied many popular music styles since the early 1970s including pop, [[Swing (dance)|swing]], [[rock and roll]], [[disco]], [[Latin Dance|Latin]] ([[Salsa Suelta]]), and Jazz.<ref name=christy />
The absence of a physical connection between dancers is, however, a distinguishing feature of country western line dance. Line dances have accompanied many popular music styles since the early 1970s including pop, [[Swing (dance)|swing]], [[rock and roll]], [[disco]], [[Latin Dance|Latin]] ([[Salsa Suelta]]), and Jazz.<ref name=christy />


The [[Madison (dance)|Madison]] was a popular line dance in the late 1950s. The 1961 "San Francisco Stomp" meets the definition of a line dance.<ref>Teaching of Popular Dance. Virgil L. Morton. 1965. J Lowell Pratt & Company. pages 50-52. LoC# 66-29892</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.renez.com/Dancing/danceinfo.htm#Dance_History_ |title=retrieved 1.2011 |publisher=Renez.com |date= |accessdate=2011-05-31}}</ref> At least five line dances that are strongly associated with country-western music were written in the 1970s, two of which are dated to 1972: "Walkin' Wazi"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kickit.to/ld/List.html?json=1&PHPSESSID=33e1419079c18f1f104e32dba329c2ff&rt=0&t=1&n=41193 |title=step sheet at |publisher=Kickit.to |date= |accessdate=2011-05-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dorisvolz.com/3rdannualboots&bucklesworkshop.htm |title=more on "early history" on Walkin Wazi |publisher=Dorisvolz.com |date= |accessdate=2011-05-31}}</ref> and "Cowboy Boogie",<ref>http://www.dorisvolz.com/pdf/cowboyboogie.pdf</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dorisvolz.com/kenengelresume.pdf |title="Kentucky Ken" resume |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=2011-05-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dorisvolz.com/kennethengel.htm |title=Doris Volz presents a note from Kentucky Ken |publisher=Dorisvolz.com |date=1999-06-01 |accessdate=2011-05-31}}</ref> five years before the disco craze created by the release of ''[[Saturday Night Fever]]'' in 1977, the same (approximate) year the "Tush Push" was created.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dorisvolz.com/pdf/tushpush.pdf |title=original step sheet |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=2011-05-31}}</ref> The "L.A. Hustle" began in a small Los Angeles disco in the Summer of 1975, and hit the East Coast (with modified steps) in Spring of '76 as the "Bus Stop.<ref>The Complete Guide to Disco Dancing. Karen L. Lustgarten. 1978. Warner Books. page 86. ISBN 0-446-87943-6</ref><ref>"The Bus Stop is a new version of a group dance called the Madison" according to Ebony Jr. Nov 1978 page 27</ref> Another 70s line dance is the "NutBush".<ref name="roots-boots1">{{cite web|author=Marayong |url=http://www.roots-boots.net/ldance/history.html |title=History & definition of linedancing |publisher=Roots-boots.net |date= |accessdate=2011-05-31}}</ref>
The [[Madison (dance)|Madison]] was a popular line dance in the late 1950s. The 1961 "San Francisco Stomp" meets the definition of a line dance.<ref>Teaching of Popular Dance. Virgil L. Morton. 1965. J Lowell Pratt & Company. pages 50-52. LoC# 66-29892</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.renez.com/Dancing/danceinfo.htm#Dance_History_ |title=retrieved 1.2011 |publisher=Renez.com |date= |accessdate=2011-05-31}}</ref> At least five line dances that are strongly associated with country-western music were written in the 1970s, two of which are dated to 1972: "Walkin' Wazi"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kickit.to/ld/List.html?json=1&PHPSESSID=33e1419079c18f1f104e32dba329c2ff&rt=0&t=1&n=41193 |title=step sheet at |publisher=Kickit.to |date= |accessdate=2011-05-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dorisvolz.com/3rdannualboots&bucklesworkshop.htm |title=more on "early history" on Walkin Wazi |publisher=Dorisvolz.com |date= |accessdate=2011-05-31}}</ref> and "Cowboy Boogie",<ref>http://www.dorisvolz.com/pdf/cowboyboogie.pdf</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dorisvolz.com/kenengelresume.pdf |title="Kentucky Ken" resume |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=2011-05-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dorisvolz.com/kennethengel.htm |title=Doris Volz presents a note from Kentucky Ken |publisher=Dorisvolz.com |date=1999-06-01 |accessdate=2011-05-31}}</ref> five years before the disco craze created by the release of ''[[Saturday Night Fever]]'' in 1977, the same (approximate) year the "Tush Push" was created.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dorisvolz.com/pdf/tushpush.pdf |title=original step sheet |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=2011-05-31}}</ref> The "L.A. Hustle" began in a small Los Angeles disco in the Summer of 1975, and hit the East Coast (with modified steps) in Spring of '76 as the "Bus Stop.<ref>The Complete Guide to Disco Dancing. Karen L. Lustgarten. 1978. Warner Books. page 86. ISBN 0-446-87943-6</ref><ref>"The Bus Stop is a new version of a group dance called the Madison" according to Ebony Jr. Nov 1978 page 27</ref> Another 70s line dance is the [[The Nutbush]].<ref name="roots-boots1">{{cite web|author=Marayong |url=http://www.roots-boots.net/ldance/history.html |title=History & definition of linedancing |publisher=Roots-boots.net |date= |accessdate=2011-05-31}}</ref>


Over a dozen line dances were created during the 1980s for country songs.<ref name="roots-boots1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dorisvolz.com/ |title=Doris Volz line dance step sheets + free video dance clips |publisher=Dorisvolz.com |date= |accessdate=2011-05-31}}</ref> The 1980 film ''[[Urban Cowboy]]'' reflected the blurring of lines between country music and pop, and spurred renewed interest in country culture, and western fashion, music, and dance.<ref name=christy /> Many early line dances, though, were adaptations of disco line dances.<ref>Boot Scootin'. Joel Ruminer with Jimmie Ruth White. Rose Publishing Company. 1981. page 48.</ref>"Boot Scootin' Boogie" was choreographed by Bill Bader<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billbader.com/ |title=Bill Bader's Website for Linedancers |publisher=Billbader.com |date= |accessdate=2011-05-31}}</ref> in October 1990 for the original [[Asleep at the Wheel]] recording of the song of the same name.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billbader.com/billsteps/bootscootinboogie.htm |title=Boot Scootin' (Vancouver) Boogie - a line dance by Bill Bader |publisher=Billbader.com |date=2004-03-07 |accessdate=2011-05-31}}</ref> The Brooks and Dunn version of the song has resulted in there being at least 16 line dances with "Boot Scootin' Boogie" in the title,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kickit.to/ld/List.html?rt=1&t=1&pg=1&srchlg=English&ts=boot+scootin+boogie&cs=&ag=-1&ty=1&lv=0&ta=0&tb=0&wl=0&struc=1&ry=0&vid=1&lg=English&fl=Any+Letter&submitgo=Search+for+Dances&json=1 |title="Boot Scootin' Boogie" step sheets at Kickit |publisher=Kickit.to |date=2011-05-27 |accessdate=2011-05-31}}</ref> including one by Tom Maddox and [[Skippy Blair]] under contract to the recording company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wcs-dancer.com/SkippyBlairDanceDictionary.html |title=see Blair statement |publisher=Wcs-dancer.com |date=1988-10-01 |accessdate=2011-05-31}}</ref>
Over a dozen line dances were created during the 1980s for country songs.<ref name="roots-boots1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dorisvolz.com/ |title=Doris Volz line dance step sheets + free video dance clips |publisher=Dorisvolz.com |date= |accessdate=2011-05-31}}</ref> The 1980 film ''[[Urban Cowboy]]'' reflected the blurring of lines between country music and pop, and spurred renewed interest in country culture, and western fashion, music, and dance.<ref name=christy /> Many early line dances, though, were adaptations of disco line dances.<ref>Boot Scootin'. Joel Ruminer with Jimmie Ruth White. Rose Publishing Company. 1981. page 48.</ref>"Boot Scootin' Boogie" was choreographed by Bill Bader<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billbader.com/ |title=Bill Bader's Website for Linedancers |publisher=Billbader.com |date= |accessdate=2011-05-31}}</ref> in October 1990 for the original [[Asleep at the Wheel]] recording of the song of the same name.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billbader.com/billsteps/bootscootinboogie.htm |title=Boot Scootin' (Vancouver) Boogie - a line dance by Bill Bader |publisher=Billbader.com |date=2004-03-07 |accessdate=2011-05-31}}</ref> The Brooks and Dunn version of the song has resulted in there being at least 16 line dances with "Boot Scootin' Boogie" in the title,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kickit.to/ld/List.html?rt=1&t=1&pg=1&srchlg=English&ts=boot+scootin+boogie&cs=&ag=-1&ty=1&lv=0&ta=0&tb=0&wl=0&struc=1&ry=0&vid=1&lg=English&fl=Any+Letter&submitgo=Search+for+Dances&json=1 |title="Boot Scootin' Boogie" step sheets at Kickit |publisher=Kickit.to |date=2011-05-27 |accessdate=2011-05-31}}</ref> including one by Tom Maddox and [[Skippy Blair]] under contract to the recording company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wcs-dancer.com/SkippyBlairDanceDictionary.html |title=see Blair statement |publisher=Wcs-dancer.com |date=1988-10-01 |accessdate=2011-05-31}}</ref>

Revision as of 05:16, 17 June 2013

A line dance is a choreographed dance with a repeated sequence of steps in which a group of people dance in one or more lines or rows without regard for the gender of the individuals, all facing either each other or in the same direction, and executing the steps at the same time. Line dancers are not in physical contact with each other. Older "line dances" have lines in which the dancers face each other, or the "line" is a circle, or all dancers in the "line" follow a leader around the dance floor; while holding the hand of the dancers beside them.[1]

Line dancing at a Country Western Dance Hall and Saloon.

History and culture

Although line dancing is associated with country music and dance, it has similarities to folk dancing.[2] Many folk dances are danced in unison with dancers arranged in one or more rows and often connected with the dancers next to them; while these rows are described as "lines," they may curve, corner, or otherwise be nonlinear in the geometric sense. The Balkan countries, among others, have a rich tradition of line dance surviving to the present. These folk line dances are also performed in the international folk dance movement. Folk line dances have many forms: pairs of lines in which the dancers face each other, or a line formed into a circle, or the line follows around the dance floor. The dancers may hold hands with their neighbors, or use an arm-on-shoulder hold, or hold their neighbor's belts.[1]

The absence of a physical connection between dancers is, however, a distinguishing feature of country western line dance. Line dances have accompanied many popular music styles since the early 1970s including pop, swing, rock and roll, disco, Latin (Salsa Suelta), and Jazz.[2]

The Madison was a popular line dance in the late 1950s. The 1961 "San Francisco Stomp" meets the definition of a line dance.[3][4] At least five line dances that are strongly associated with country-western music were written in the 1970s, two of which are dated to 1972: "Walkin' Wazi"[5][6] and "Cowboy Boogie",[7][8][9] five years before the disco craze created by the release of Saturday Night Fever in 1977, the same (approximate) year the "Tush Push" was created.[10] The "L.A. Hustle" began in a small Los Angeles disco in the Summer of 1975, and hit the East Coast (with modified steps) in Spring of '76 as the "Bus Stop.[11][12] Another 70s line dance is the The Nutbush.[13]

Over a dozen line dances were created during the 1980s for country songs.[13][14] The 1980 film Urban Cowboy reflected the blurring of lines between country music and pop, and spurred renewed interest in country culture, and western fashion, music, and dance.[2] Many early line dances, though, were adaptations of disco line dances.[15]"Boot Scootin' Boogie" was choreographed by Bill Bader[16] in October 1990 for the original Asleep at the Wheel recording of the song of the same name.[17] The Brooks and Dunn version of the song has resulted in there being at least 16 line dances with "Boot Scootin' Boogie" in the title,[18] including one by Tom Maddox and Skippy Blair under contract to the recording company.[19]

Billy Ray Cyrus' 1992 hit "Achy Breaky Heart", helped catapult western line dancing into the mainstream public consciousness.[2] In 1994 choreographer Max Perry had a worldwide dance hit[citation needed] with "Swamp Thang" for the song "Swamp Thing" by The Grid. This was a techno song that fused banjo sounds in the melody line and helped to start a trend of dancing to forms of music other than country. In this mid 1990s period country western music was influenced by the popularity of line dancing. This influence was so great that Chet Atkins was quoted as saying "The music has gotten pretty bad, I think. It's all that damn line dancing."[20]

Max Perry, along with Jo Thompson, Scott Blevins and several others, began to use ballroom rhythms and technique to take line dancing to the next level. In 1998, the band Steps created further interest outside of the U.S. with the techno dance song "5,6,7,8". In 1999 the Gap retailer debuted the "Khaki Country" ad on the Academy Awards ceremony.[21] Line dancers performed to the 1999 version of "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" by Dwight Yoakam.

Line dancing now has very traditional dances to country music, and not so traditional dances to non country music. It now uses more than just the "stereotypical" country music, in fact line dancers dance to most styles of music: country as well as modern pop, Irish, Latin just to name a few.

Line dancing is practiced and learned in country-western dance bars, social clubs, dance clubs and ballrooms worldwide. It avoids the problem of imbalance of male/female partners that plagues ballroom/swing/salsa dancing clubs. It is sometimes combined on dance programs with other forms of country-western dance, such as two-step, and western promenade dances, as well as western-style variants of the waltz, polka and swing.

The Electric Slide was a Disco-based line dance created and popularized in the mid-1970s.

The Chicken Dance, which is danced in a circle, is an example of a line dance adopted by the Mod revival during the 1980s.

The Macarena was a hit based on a line dance in the mid-1990s.

Line dancing reached Europe, nourished by the arrival of Country Music Television,[22][23] and in 2008 gained the attention of the French government.[24]

Wall

Each dance is said to consist of a number of walls. A wall is the direction in which the dancers face at any given time: the front (the direction faced at the beginning of the dance), the back or one of the sides. Dancers may change direction many times during a sequence, and may even, at any given point, be facing in a direction half-way between two walls; but at the end of the sequence they will be facing the original wall or any of the other three. Whichever wall that is, the next iteration of the sequence uses that wall as the new frame of reference.

  • In a one-wall dance, the dancers face the same direction at the end of the sequence as at the beginning.
  • In a two-wall dance, repetitions of the sequence end alternately at the back and front walls. In other words, the dancers have effectively turned through 180 degrees during one set. The samba line dance is an example of a two-wall dance. While doing the "volte" step, the dancers turn 180 degrees to face a new wall.
  • In a four-wall dance, the direction faced at the end of the sequence is 90 degrees to the right or left from the direction in which they faced at the beginning. As a result, the dancers face each of the four walls in turn at the end of four consecutive repetitions of the sequence, before returning to the original wall. The hustle line dance is an example of a four-wall dance because in the final figure they turn 90 degrees to the left to face a new wall. In some dances, they turn 270 degrees, a "three-quarter turn," to face the new wall.

Dave Bush The Godfather of Soul Line Dancing started a dance craze in Philadelphia over 25 years ago, he started with the Dave Bush Dancers and 1 of his dancers was Bernadette Burnette who has choreographed and created over 400 line dances.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b International Folk Dance at a Glance. Second Edition. Cecile Gilbert. Burgess Publishing Company. 1974. SBN 8087-0727-2
  2. ^ a b c d Christy Lane's Complete Book of Line Dancing. Christy Lane. 2000, 1995. Human Kinetics. pages 3, 4. ISBN 0-7360-0067-4
  3. ^ Teaching of Popular Dance. Virgil L. Morton. 1965. J Lowell Pratt & Company. pages 50-52. LoC# 66-29892
  4. ^ "retrieved 1.2011". Renez.com. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
  5. ^ "step sheet at". Kickit.to. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
  6. ^ "more on "early history" on Walkin Wazi". Dorisvolz.com. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
  7. ^ http://www.dorisvolz.com/pdf/cowboyboogie.pdf
  8. ^ ""Kentucky Ken" resume" (PDF). Retrieved 2011-05-31.
  9. ^ "Doris Volz presents a note from Kentucky Ken". Dorisvolz.com. 1999-06-01. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
  10. ^ "original step sheet" (PDF). Retrieved 2011-05-31.
  11. ^ The Complete Guide to Disco Dancing. Karen L. Lustgarten. 1978. Warner Books. page 86. ISBN 0-446-87943-6
  12. ^ "The Bus Stop is a new version of a group dance called the Madison" according to Ebony Jr. Nov 1978 page 27
  13. ^ a b Marayong. "History & definition of linedancing". Roots-boots.net. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
  14. ^ "Doris Volz line dance step sheets + free video dance clips". Dorisvolz.com. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
  15. ^ Boot Scootin'. Joel Ruminer with Jimmie Ruth White. Rose Publishing Company. 1981. page 48.
  16. ^ "Bill Bader's Website for Linedancers". Billbader.com. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
  17. ^ "Boot Scootin' (Vancouver) Boogie - a line dance by Bill Bader". Billbader.com. 2004-03-07. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
  18. ^ ""Boot Scootin' Boogie" step sheets at Kickit". Kickit.to. 2011-05-27. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
  19. ^ "see Blair statement". Wcs-dancer.com. 1988-10-01. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
  20. ^ The Roots of Country Music Collectors Edition by Life September 1, 1994
  21. ^ "GAP a-Go-Go | Dance Magazine | Find Articles at BNET". Findarticles.com. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
  22. ^ Let's Dance. Paul Bottomer. 1998. Black Dog & Leventhal. page 65. ISBN 1-57912-049-0
  23. ^ "CMT Europe clips". .tv-ark.org.uk. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
  24. ^ [1] Oui Ha! France brings line dancing craze under state control

World records

Line dance resources

Major line dance events and competitions

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