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Each 2 months and exactly 30 years ago to the day, we re-publish the original Country Goss' magazine and supplement it here with additional photos, videos and stories that may not have been readily available at the time. A veritable "time capsule" of line dancing! There's lots more to read in the original magazine, in the meantime, here is a brief look at what the Editor had to say back in July 1995, plus a little more!

As line dancing growth continues to explode across Australia, Country Goss' follows up on the concerns raised as far back as January regarding teacher accreditation, dance standardisation, judging criteria, etc. Interestingly, New South Wales took one step closer to ‘regulation’ with the formation of an interim State Line Dance Committee elected at a recent meeting between various line dance groups.

Outspoken critics Tony Burns (NSW), David Dickson (QLD) and Mark Smith (WA)

From this Main Committee, regional committees were nominated to represent Sydney, Illawarra, Riverina, Canberra, Central Coast, Hunter Valley, New England, Far North Coast and Western New South Wales. It was proposed the function of these groups look at a committee structure, membership, regions, proportional representation, timeline, teaching, dance, terminology, music, competitions and finance. It is envisaged this concept could be picked up nationally. Your feedback will be important.

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.

Many interesting points raised about regulation and accreditation from teachers across Australia. Cindy Truelove, Kristine Lowe-Volkman and Terry Hogan, three high profile instructors, have penned extensive letters to Country Goss' on the matter. These are certainly hot button issues. Be sure to read their comments in Bushwire.

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.

On a lighter note, if you happened to be in the Southgate precinct of Melbourne on a sunny Sunday in August 1995, you would have come across John Bishop's Cowboy Culture having a fabulous time dancing. Recognise anyone? Thank you to Tom McCullough for this historical piece of Melbourne footage.

Now do you remember the first time you saw line dancing? Were you one of those people who thought ‘nah, no way’ but kept one ear open because you sort of liked the music, then after a while when no one was looking you tried a couple of quick brush-ups? Well, Sharon Hammond was one such person and she shares her story of line dancing’s slow seduction in this issue of Country Goss'.

The buzz and excitement of Peel St

We also get to hear from a Tamworth first timer. The experience and buzz of Peel St, the heat, the crowds, the socials, the busking, the concerts in the park, the nerve-racking line dance competitions, the longest line, the cavalcade of stars you would normally only hear on your CD's - Lee Kernaghan, Gina Jeffries, Beccy Cole, Troy Cassar-Daley and Adam Brand. Live this excitement through the eyes of festival newbie "Just Lee". Both Sharon and Just Lee's stories are on Page 7.

Phantom - The Ghost Who Squawks - Forever lurking and listening from dark shadowy corners returns, and drops some possible Australian tour dates for Dwight Yoakam and The Bellamy Brothers.

However, Phan reckons a proposed promo trip for Alan Jackson to visit the Tamworth Festival could already be on the back burner with "rumour" that the CMAA feel this would detract from, rather than enhance the Festival! Beware the Tamworth thought police! Read more of Phantom's grumblings on Page 3.

Due to popular demand “What’s Been Happening” has been resurrected with more tantalising tales and some damn good reading such as the tip off that Arista have just released a 22-minute dance mix of all your favourite dance tracks.

The extended mixes include Brooks & Dunn's Bootscootin' Boogie, Alan Jackson's Chattahoochee, The Tractors Baby Likes To Rock It, and heaps more! A must have for every DJ that struggles for that well-earned rest break!

Newcastle hosted what they hope to become a yearly line dancing event at the Phoenix Club in Mayfield recently, with all proceeds raised going to Stewart House, a charity that cares for children with Cerebral Palsy. Judging proved very difficult with many original choreographies and competition fierce between all competitors.

The Tractors are coming! Or so say the postcards and faxes from BMG say. Gospel or Gossip?

Wireless Mic Systems for Line Dance Instructors. High quality, sweat resistant, naturally sounding and locally made head worn mic. Belt strap transmitter pack (as used by aerobic instructors). Phone JP at JP's Hifivision 018 230 787.

Some great albums to review along with several giveaways this issue including Linda Davis Shoot for the Moon, Shania Twain's The Woman In Me, Sawyer Brown's Greatest Hits and a re-release of Tammy Wynette's first ever album Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad.

Shania Twain (Mercury) The Woman In Me: Shania's The Woman In Me exudes passion and energy. Her background in rhythm and blues and classic soft rock are the ingredients that bind together leaving no doubt that this is one hot country blues performer.

Linda Davis (Arista) Shoot for the Moon: 2 of her biggest hits feature on this CD - Company Time and Love Didn't Do It. Shades of Reba McEntire throughout the 10 tracks so it is no surprise to learn that Reba is one of her greatest Influences.

Sawyer Brown (Sony) Greatest Hits 1990 - 1995: A much more up-tempo release unfortunately it doesn't contain my fave The Race Is On, it does however feature such classics as Dirt Road, The Walk & Cafe on the Corner. Fans wont be too disappointed.

Tammy Wynette (Epic) Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad: This is Tammy's first ever album, initially released around 1967. Featuring such classics as There Goes My Everthing, Apartment No. 9 and Send Me No Roses. Originally going to Nashville to become a songwriter, Tammy quickly became much more than she ever intended.

WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN

We're giving away a copy each of The Woman In Me, Shoot for the Moon, Sawyers Greatest Hits and Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad. Details in the magazine.

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.

Cindy Truelove has released her line dance instructional video Let's Bootscoot. Cindy is a superb instructor and with Let's Bootscoot you can learn some fun dances such as Cowboy Boogie, Tush Push, The Frieze, Achy Breaky, Cowboy Hustle, Waltz Across Texas and many more.

WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN

If you are a Member of Country Goss', you have the opportunity to win Cindy Truelove's Lets Bootscoot video. Details in the magazine.

Winners from our competitions last issue as follows:

Wade Hayes CD: P.Finney

EMI Ultimate Collection: B.Normay

James House CD: Edna Ryan

BMG Young Country CD: Nancy Jones

Junior Brown CD: Beverley Mackie

Joe Diffie CD (Member Winner): Carmel Joy McKenzie

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, NSW or try their mail order service to anywhere in Australia. Ph: 02 361 5785 or Fax: 02 361 6812.

Country Goss' puts a big shout out for dancers to take part in the half time, line dance entertainment of an American Super Bowl Grid Iron Exhibition Match at Brookvale Oval on Sydney's north shore on the 22nd July 1995 - California vs Hawaii. Contact 02 560 0584 or 02 982 7558 to register your interest.

The Annual Bootscooters' Ball will take place on the 29th July 1995 at the historic Blackheath Community Hall in the Blue Mountains, with entertainment by Rob Breese and the Southern Express Band - great supporters of line dancing. There will be a full bar service and plenty of food. Accommodation can also be arranged. Check it out.

Central Coast Line Dancing Championships 30th July 1995 at the Ourimbah RSL Club, NSW. This event is open to all Clubs and will host the following Categories:

12 Years & Under, 18 Years & Under, Open Age, 50 Years & Over, Duo's/Trio's/Groups.

Entry Forms & Enquiries Contact Ken Hetherington on 018 023 018 or 02 477 7776.

Dungog Line Dancing Championships 23rd - 24th September 1995. To be held as an annual event in the middle of the Dungog Spring Festival. Further details to follow however, interim enquiries can be made to Jeff Whitford on 049 922 112.

Rotary Club of Tenterfield in conjunction with Channel 10 present the Australian National Line Dancing Exhibition and Titles over the weekend of 29th/30th September & 1st October 1995. All interested persons, dance groups and bands contact Bob Johnson on 067 361 480 or 067 362 502.

Hawkesbury Wine, Food & Music Affair Sunday 14th October 1995 at the Heritage Park North Richmond. Includes line dancing record attempt. Details or register on 045 604 444.

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.

Line Dancing every Friday night at Darkes Forest Woolshed. $8 includes supper. Great country music, all new country music releases, fully licensed. Phone 042 943 424.

Dancing Around Australia is now a massive 5 pages to keep you energised on holidays or if you are just looking for that local dance class. Listings cover NSW, ACT, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Queensland Northern Territory, Western Australia, New Zealand, Vanuatu and Hawaii.

Which Brings Us To

Now, Golden Oldie Time. It may be 2025 now, but do you remember what song you were singing and dancing to 30 years ago in July 1995? It could have been Billboard's #1 Hot Country Song at the time "Sold" by John Michael Montgomery and the dance was "2001 BC Coaster".

Choreographed by Bill Bader from Canada and courtesy of Div's Line Dancing Directory, we have provided the Step Sheet for you below.

The Contemporary Country Music Club presents line dancing every friday night at the Harmonie German Club in Narrabundah, ACT. Adults $5 Kids $3. Phone 06 290 1025.

Before we go, this will be the last issue of Country Goss' in its A4 coloured layout as it moves into a more compact format next issue. Below is a little sneak peak of the new cover. We also leave you with an interesting Phantom-Phact from this issue!

Apparently, the Phantom's spell checker on the Skull Cave IBM retro computer, kept changing the word BOOTSCOOTING to OBFUSCATING which the Thesaurus says means BEWILDERING of which the synonyms for, are CONFUSING, MUDDLING, PERPLEXING and STUPEFYING! Two left feet, now you know why!

We hope you have enjoyed this edition of Country Goss'. If you have any fun stories or old photos that you would like included in past or upcoming editions, then drop us a line at linedancehistoryaustralia@gmail.com or click here for the next issue!

Bye!