Click on the publication above to view the full original format.

Here is a brief look at what the Editor had to say back in January 1996, plus a little more!

Well, what a terrific issue this month as we welcome Dwight Yoakam and the "Gone Tour" to our shores. In a 10-year career Dwight has sold more than 9 million albums worldwide, released 5 albums that achieved platinum plus sales and has had 16 Top Ten singles.

Dwight's most recent studio album "This Time" has remained in the Top 20 Country Albums for 75 weeks. The album produced a raft of hits including A Thousand Miles From Nowhere, Fast As You, and Ain't That Lonely Yet. Dwight visits Australia on the back of 2 massive USA tours and an extensive European tour.

The 8th track from "This Time" features the song Fast As You which is often used on the dance floor as a sassy little mover for the beginner dance Electric Slide. Check out the video below and get into the groove for this month's Country Goss'!!

THE HIDE OUT - QUEENSLAND. Distributors of Wild Skin Leathers and BAD COMPANY Clothing. New Catalogue Out Now. Phone 07 3857 2917.

So much fabulous reading ahead, both in this supplement and the original magazine (top of page) but in case you didn't know, it’s Tamworth time again and the Editor points out that we are about to see an explosion of dancers in Australia's northwest, the likes never seen before. Event organisers Joe and Kath McManamon say this year's 1996 Australian Country Line Dancing Championships look to be the biggest and best ever with hundreds of dancers, their instructors and their friends already gearing up for the competitions and workshops. See video below.

Sydney Line Dance Promotions. The very best in line dancing in Sydney's west including West Ryde, Baulkham Hills, Wentworthville, Northmead, St Mary's, Pitt Town, Dharruk, Richmond and Penrith. Phone Lance Pritchard on 02 896 8662.

The 1996 Championships will be held at the Calrossy Auditorium 24th - 26th January 1996

The 19 dance sections will be as follows:

Section 1: 10 Years and Under - Duo

Section 2: 10 Years and Under - Trio

Section 3: 12 Years and Under - Duo

Section 4: 12 Years and Under - Trio

Section 5: 16 Years and Under - Duo

Section 6: 16 Years and Under - Trio

Above: Last year's 1995 Under 16's Trio Winners - Rebecca Schneller, Kate Maddvell and Chusie King from Westlakes LD. Click on the pic to view video.

Section 7: 16 Years and Under - Small Group;

Section 8: Open - Duo

Section 9: Open - Trio

Section 10: Open - Small Group

Section 11: Open - Large Group

Section 12: Open - Large Group

Section 13: 55 Years and Over - Duo

Above: 10 years & Under 1995 Duo Winners - Simone Brewster & Luke Corney along with 1995 Open Duo Winners - Michelle Hansen & Matt Price of Pacific Coast Linedancers.

Section 14: 55 Years and Over - Trio

Section 15: 55 Years and Over - Small Group

Section 16: 70 Years and Over - Duo

Section 17: 70 Years and Over - Trio

Section 18: 70 Years and Over - Small Group

Section 19: Comedy - Open to any age or group size 20 and under.

Above: One of last year's 1995 comedy groups - Lyndon Satchell, Tracie Lee and Simon Ward of Southern Cross. Click on the pic to view video.

The Coraperena Dancers from Tamworth were recent guests of Robert and Regina Padden of County Mayo in Ireland. Robert and Regina, choreographers of well known favourites such as Shamrock Shake, Electric Reel and Dublin City Waltz will be in Australia for this year's Championships as special guests of Joe & Kath McManamon.

And there will be one extra baby visiting Tamworth this year. Congratulations to Leanne and Clive McKenzie of Coastal Bootscooters on the birth of their daughter Briarna, born 14th November 1995.

The Longest Line Record attempt will take place in Peel St on the 27th January at 9.15am where Tamworth will be looking to smash the 1995 record of 1,202 dancers (check out the 1995 video above). Joe McManamon tells us that this year's marshalling will be undertaken by APEX. Further details 067 664 107.

"Step In Style" Bootscootin' Boots - Ladies and Mens - All Leather. Plus, a variety of accessories, bootstraps, belts etc. See ya' all in Tamworth. Phone/Fax 066 832 457.

Other 1996 dates for your Tamworth Diary:

Friday 19th January: Official Opening Bicentennial Park;

Saturday 20th January: New Talent Golden Guitar Showcase - Town Hall;

Sunday 21st January: Starmaker Quest (Final & Grand Final) - Town Hall;

Did you know that the 1982 Starmaker Winner was Lee Kernaghan. He is pictured (above) with Max Ellis and Gary Robertson.

Tuesday 23rd - 25th January: Pro Rodeo Chute Out - Tamworth Showground;

Wednesday 24th January: Buttercup Open House - Town Hall;

Wednesday 24th January: Line Dance Heats - Calrossy Auditorium;

Thursday 25th January: Line Dance Heats - Calrossy Auditorium;

Friday 26th January: Line Dancing Championships - Calrossy Auditorium;

Friday 26th January: Australia Day Concert - Bicentennial Park;

This year's 1996 Australia Day Concert at Bicentennial Park features The Slim Dusty Travelling Country Band Reunion Show along with Anne Kirkpatrick and Tommy Emmanuel.

Cactus Cowboy Queensland - Line Dancing Fashions and Western Wear all made in Australia. Specialising in Team and Demonstration Shirts. For further information contact Brian and John on 07 3209 6502 or Patrice 07 5597 2007 / 015 407 222.

Saturday 27th January: Country Music Awards - Rodeo Arena, Showground;

Sunday 28th January: Finish.

American singer-songwriter and line dance entertainer Scooter Lee arrived in Sydney this month for a promotional visit to the Tamworth Country Music Festival in preparation for her upcoming Australian tour in August 1996. Whilst In Sydney, Scooter was a special guest along with many familiar line dance instructors on the Kerrie-Anne Kennerly (KAK) Midday Show performing one of her big hits The Honky Tonk Twist. How many faces do you recognise in the video? Dates and locations for Scooter's tour to follow next issue.

Prairie Dancer Productions. Line dance classes, demonstrations and promotions. Contact Jan Wise 02 713 6478 or 015 890 860.

And with Aussies embracing both their Australian and American country music superstars, another three Nashville artists are set to tour or visit Australia this year along with Dwight Yoakam including Tim McGraw, Trisha Yearwood and Stacey Dean Campbell.

So, we thought we'd kick off this edition of Country Goss' with the official video release from Dwight's latest album Gone as a prelude to his Australian "Gone Tour" in February 1996. You will find all major city dates for Dwight's Gone Tour in the magazine.

As mentioned earlier, we have a terrific issue in store this month. Country Goss' is jam packed with holidays, cruises, festivals, line dance balls, letters, goss', clothing, boots, hats, music, giveaways and interesting articles.

Belts, Buckles, Bolos & Western Accessories - Bill & Denise Brown - Phone 019 459 431.

If you're heading to Tamworth, Cindy Truelove, NTA accredited line dance instructor from Perth will be conducting Workshops at the West Tamworth Leagues Club on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th January 1996. Cindy will be giving tips on subjects such as Styling, Balance, Variations, Competitions and Co-Ordination. Cindy has also just released her second instructional video "Let's Bootscoot 2" through Roadshow Music. "Lets Bootscoot 2" is available as a limited-edition Video/CD Box Set, a Video/Cassette Box Set or sold separately. Country Goss' however, is giving you the chance to win one of these great box sets. Details in the mag.

Also in Tamworth will be those 2 intrepid travellers "The Hootenanny Grannies" Yvette Flynn and June Johns, regular contributors to Country Goss'. Having clocked up a staggering 34,000kms in just 10 months line dancing across Australia, Yvette and June are well known wherever they go. They are looking forward to catching up with their many friends at this year's Festival so keep an eye out and say hullo! You can also read about their many travels on page 37 in this issue of Country Goss'.

FREE Bootscootin' every Sunday 1pm - 5pm. Harold Park Hotel, 115 Wigram Road, Glebe. Why not eat at Harold's Bar & Grill while you're there! Ph: 02 692 0564.

Country Goss' received many enquiries regarding the previous two articles on Licencing (for playing music in public) and on Copyright (for reproducing music to a disk or cassette for classes). Speaking to Mark Beckhaus, licencing representative for APRA, Mark informed the Editor that since the first article appeared in Country Goss' in September, APRA has received a huge surge in licence applications. Both articles and contact phone numbers have been re-printed in this issue.

Gordon Elliott's, Sony Music Country Line Dance Choreography Competition was held at the Woolaway Woolshed in Picton, NSW in November 1995. Overall winner was Katherine Webster (below) of the ACT with her 64-beat advanced dance Fast Lane Dreamer to Doug Stone's You Won't Outlive Me.

Full results from Woolaway:

Beginners: 1st Place to Michelle Palmer

Dance - Heartbreak Express to Heartbreak Express by Dolly Parton.

Intermediate: 1st Place to Rebecca Hutchinson

Dance - Lucky Boots to You Have The Right To Remain Silent by Perfect Stranger.

Advanced: 1st Place (and overall winner) to Katherine Webster

Dance - Fast Lane Dreamer to You Won't Outlive Me by Doug Stone from the first track of the album "Faith in Me, Faith in You". Check out the track below:

Paul's Leather - Boots and matching boot straps, buckles, bolos, collar tips and other leather accroutments made to suit your line dance needs, Club Names on belts & bootstraps in Club Colours. Mail order through Australia Post. Phone 02 773 7879.

Meanwhile on the NSW Central Coast...

The December 1995 edition of the Central Coast Express Advocate in NSW (above) had dancers slapping leather and full of smiles. Maybe you were there? Let us know!

In South Australia, the January 1996 edition of the Port Lincoln Times reports on line dancing in Tumby Bay with more than 40 ladies dancing the night away in fancy dress Christmas attire. Anyone interested in participating in the popular activity at Tumby Bay is welcome to come along and join in. Classes are held every Monday at 7.30 pm and Wednesday mornings.

Pied Piper Music for all your latest line dance CD's tapes & videos at the cheapest prices. Stacks of CD's or tapes with seven line dances on each one. Compare our prices! Mail orders especially welcome. Phone Frank Drewes on 02 869 8740 or 018 234 486.

With line dancing popular in all corners of Australia, the demand for country music is on the march. One particular town in NSW gaining country music cult status is Broken Hill and with line dance classes happening nearly every night of the week it was inevitable that a posse would soon get together and hijack the local radio station. That posse was led by Chris South who now presents a 3 hour country show on 2DRYfm each Saturday from 9am - 12pm. John Kendall picks up the slack every Tuesday from 12pm - 3pm.

Grizzly Adams "Country's Hottest Mobile DJ" for the best in Country, Rock & 50's/60's Rock 'n' Roll. Ph: 018 405 543 Fax: 043 631 737

Now, are you looking for that extra special line dance holiday this year? Well, Country Goss' has a smorgasbord of travel treats on offer so get your diary out and pencil these in. Let's take a look!

The Norfolk Island Country Music Festival kicks the year off from 13th - 21st May 1996 with the Pacific Island Travel Centre offering a 7 night getaway to Norfolk including air fares, accommodation, festival souvenirs and 4 spectacular nights of country music featuring top Australian and New Zealand artists - The Dead Ringer Band, Darren Coggin, Marion Burns, Gina Jeffries, The Siverados, Jane Saunders and Troy Cassar-Daley. From only $969.00pp, further details in Country Goss'.

If it's a beachy line dance holiday you're after, Traveland are offering a 5-night escape to Long Island on the Great Barrier Reef from the 1st - 6th June 1996. With packages out of Melbourne at $1,159.00, Sydney at $1,059.00 or Brisbane at $919.00, the first 50 rooms booked will receive a free upgrade to a beach front suite. Contact Traveland for further details on 1800 654 899.

Fancy the USA and Fan Fair in Nashville 1996? Fan Fair this year includes USA country superstars Billy Ray Cyrus, Shania Twain, Vince Gill, Martina McBride, Aaron Tippin, Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, Pam Tillis and Joe Diffie. 

To get you there, we have two very different USA trips to choose from. First up, Noel Brady and Gentry Traveland are off to Nashville, departing 8th June 1996 for 8 nights. You will also be travelling with 6 of Australia's top country recording artists and staying at the luxurious Opryland Hotel. Prices start from just $3,479pp and includes a week of fabulous activities. The full details are in this issue of Country Goss'.

Both Noel and Julie are escorting 2 very different trips to the USA this year.

The second USA trip is with Julie Talbot. This holiday is for 14 nights from the 9th - 22nd June 1996 visiting Nashville, Fan Fair, Grand Ol' Opry, Opryland Park, Wildhorse Saloon, Memphis, Graceland's, Jack Daniels, Los Angeles and Disneyland. Prices start from $4,699pp twin share. Details and full itinerary from Harvey World Travel on 132 757.

Country Connection - The Australian Legend in Jeans Wear. Bootcut Jeans in Black Denim and Indigo Blue. Three Western or Stockman Style Shirts, Blue or Black Denim. Agents in NSW, ACT, VIC, NT, TAS, QLD and WA. Contact Lace on 015 281 927.

If it's a cruise you're after, Noel Bradey has another two South Pacific Line Dance Cruises to choose from this year - 25th June 1996 or 24th November 1996 and both starting at just $990 for 9 nights. Great value! Contact Noel on 02 9906 7000.

And what can you expect aboard your P&O line dance cruise? Here are some fun pictures from Noel's cruise aboard the Fairstar last year November 1995. Recognise anyone?

Pandarra Trading Company - Country Western World. Pandarra offer everything imaginable for the urban cowboy and cowgirl. Grab a taste of Texas at 96 Oxford St Darlinghurst or try their mail order service to anywhere in Australia. Ph: 02 361 5785 or Fax: 02 361 6812.

Twisters - The original Durango Western Collection is now available. Look out for Durango's new Twisters Line Dancing Boots coming direct from Nashville. Call 02 281 4611 for details of your local Durango stockist.

Sunset Music - Essential Line Dance albums for the Bootscooter's Collection including Australia's Favourite Line Dances Volume 1 & 2, Country Dance Super Hits plus all your favourite country music performers Joe Diffie, Sawyer Brown, Tim McGraw, Rodney Crowell. Mail order anywhere in Australia. Ph: 049 87 4300.

Closer to home, Riverina line dance groups will be hosting their first ever Riverina Line Dance Championships at the Deniliquin RSL on Saturday 13th January. The competition will be followed by a huge hoedown featuring Bendigo band Tumbleweed. Contact Jenny Walker on 058 852 266.

Your chance to meet Lee Kernaghan! Dubbo in NSW invites dancers to its first ever Line Dance Ball to be held at the Dubbo Sportsworld on Saturday 9th March 1996 from 7pm. All proceeds will go to the Westhaven Association for the Disabled in the Orana Region. There will also be a Sunday morning workshop commencing at 9am with Julie Talbot. Lots of door prizes with one lucky dancer having the opportunity to win a trip to Sydney to see Lee Kernaghan and meet him backstage after the show. For bookings contact Maryanne Knight on 068 824 111.

The Hunter Valley Line Dancing Championships to be held in conjunction with the Reg Lindsay and Friends Rodeo takes place at the Cessnock Showground on Saturday 16th March 1996. Always an exciting day out for the family whether you are dancing or watching the spectacular bull riding. Further details contact Roslyn on 049 911 585.

Bob's Mobile: Line dance shirts, jewellery, Bolo's, hat bands, collar tips, bandannas, key rings, belt buckles and heaps more. Would you like Bob to visit your Workshop or Social? Bankcard, Mastercard & Visa accepted. Call Bob now 018 412 298.

The National Heart Foundation (ACT Division) invites dancers to the National Convention Centre in Canberra on the 30th March 1996 to "Dance For Heart" and help raise much needed funds for the Heart Foundation. There will be special weekend accommodation rates for dancers at the Capital Parkroyal. For bookings contact the Heart Foundation.

Now, could this be R.I.P. for the Phantom? Last issue we left the Phantom alone and contemplating "the meaning of life". Meanwhile, his own life support system, the vinyl drip he has been on since the unfortunate pressing plant accident, recently went haywire causing a massive overload in the brain resulting in a rant of seemingly mindless jibber. What jibber you ask? And what secrets was the Phantom trying to unlock by attempting to play a Brooks & Dunn CD backwards? You'll find out in Country Goss'.

The Strand Hatters - FREE concho band, FREE hat customising, FREE after sales service, FRIENDLY assistance! Head straight for the Strand Hatters, Strand Arcade, 412 George St Sydney. Ph: 02 231 6884.

It was a hot night in late November 1995 when fans of line dancing and rock and roll came together at the multi-million-dollar Mt Pritchard Community Club in Sydney's west to celebrate the first major line dance show in Australia. Performing on stage was Lonnie Lee and The Starlight Band. Lonnie Lee is one of Australia's much-loved entertainers and Country Goss' has got two great Lonnie Lee CD's to giveaway. Full details on how to win are in the mag.

Are you over 45? Did you know that there is a newspaper that caters especially for your present lifestyle. Health, music, travel, classifieds and much, much more. The Australian Senior Citizen National Monthly Newspaper. Available by subscription $15 for Seniors Cardholders or $18 other. Send your cheque to PO Box 130, Wyong, NSW 2259 along with your full contact details.

In the September/October 1995 issue the Editor reported on Australia's first fully sanctioned CWDI International Championship event in Perth WA. Presented by Cindy Truelove and with special guests Charlotte Skeeters, Neil Hale and Hillbilly Rick of the USA.

Following that event, Hillbilly Rick wrote about the wonderful time he had spent with Cindy and the people of Western Australia in October 1995. This article re-printed courtesy of Step By Step Magazine.

And still in Perth......

Dancers were also kicking up their heels in late 1995 at Perth's Roleystone Family Centre. Thank you to Barbara Ellis from Perth for sending us this link. See anyone you know? Click on the pic to play video.

The Arizona Cowboy Bar - Sydney's HOTTEST Country Bar - great country music, two-stepping and line dancing. Wednesday night from 7pm, Pitt St (opposite Monorail Station).

Now, Golden Oldie Time. It may be 2026 now, but do you remember what song you were singing and dancing to 30 years ago in January/February 1996? It could have been Brother Phelps hot country song at the time "Any Way The Wind Blows" and the dance Bow Legged Boogaloo choreographed by Sydney's Lance Pritchard. Released in mid 1995, the song picked up solid country radio airplay following Lance's fun choreography. Do you remember the interesting 64 beat lead-in to the dance, what moves did you do while you were waiting patiently to start?

We have the video of Brother Phelps below along with a copy of the step sheet of Bow Legged Boogaloo courtesy of Div's Line Dancing Directory.

Next issue we are introducing a new section to Country Goss' titled WOT'S HOT AROUND 'OZ'. With the help of Instructors across Australia, we will be compiling a list of the month's most popular dances state by state to ensure you can jump on the dance floor wherever you may be.

Well, that's about it from us. There's plenty more to read in the original magazine as the Bushwire explodes with all your letters. What's Been Happening will have you twisting and squirming in your seat with some of the goings on. There's also 17 pages of Dancing Around Australia to maintain your dancing fix and some great social events!

We hope you enjoy this bumper issue of Country Goss' and by the way, the magazine just keeps getting BIGGER and BETTER. Eventually the magazine will move to a huge 76 page tabloid format like those above. We'd love to hear from you if you'd like to supplement any issue with your news, views and pictures from yesteryear. Contact us at linedancehistoryaustralia@gmail.com

Bye.