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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 May 1995, plus a little more!

Sixteen bumper pages with the Editor pointing out that no sooner does one Country Goss' hit the streets and they are already busy sorting through information for the next issue. Nowadays the same applies to the Line Dance History Australia team as we sift through the mountains of photos and videos of days gone by.

But first. Last issue the Editor spoke of the disquiet amongst judges and dancers at the 1995 Tamworth Line Dancing Championships regarding the competition rules, protocol and teacher accreditation. Three interesting letters landed on the Editor's desk, one from Mark Smith WA, one from Tony Burns NSW and the other from David Dickson in Queensland. Two were published, one was not. All suggesting however, alternate plans for committees to oversee the championships along with compulsory teacher accreditation.

Tony outlined an idea around the formation of a revised state line dance championship, a state line dance committee, dance standardisation and instructor accreditation. David Dickson on behalf of the Texan Rebel Bootscooters, Queensland, outlines a vision for a national accreditation system citing an aerobic instructor’s fitness course and practical workshop as being the main criteria for accreditation.

"one of the Paddington pioneers comments"

Mark Smith, Principal of Mustangs Line Dance Club in WA and one of the original pioneers of the 1986 Paddington Green Hotel days, commented that unless some type of control is exercised over teaching styles and accreditation standards, things will get out of hand. It would appear we haven't heard the last of this yet.

With the huge growth in line dance venues, the Editor poses the question "How many people would be aware of their legal standing in the event of an accident on the dance floor?"

Lance Pritchard, dance teacher and insurance expert with nearly 30 years' experience in the industry, guides teachers and dancers through the murky area of INSURANCE with the Myths, the Mysteries & the Truths. Lance provides an insight to instructors and dancers on where they would stand legally should they find themselves in a situation where a fall or accident has occurred in a venue where they were teaching or dancing. It is 'must view" reading and starts on Page 6.

Lots more stories ahead and as the mag is getting bigger, this is the first issue to be stapled at the spine. Here are several great pics of the Australian Line Dancers (ALD) taking part in the VB Street Parade in Sydney back in March 1995 as a promo for the Royal Easter Show.

And this small article from The Times Newspaper, South Australia, advertising the spread of line dancing to Victor Harbour in June 1995.

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.

In Wollongong recently, a young Josh Talbot (3rd from right) took to the dance floor of the Shearers Shed with his entire family.

The Phantom returns in a state of denial as the Billy Joe Shaver and Junior Brown tours look very shaky indeed. Could the Phantom be predicting something DIFFIErent for Gympie this year? Phantom also hints of a possible legal dispute over a compilation CD of overseas independent artists pressed locally and seemingly without the permission of many of those on it! Check out the Phantom on Page 2.

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.

Robyn Ward from Holiday Coast Bootscooters NSW lets readers know that there will be line dancing at the Coffs Harbour Show on the 12th May 1995 with backing by the band Dingo Creek. Following the line dancing display, the Show will stage its very first rodeo.

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.

David Flint presents the results of the Hunter Valley Line Dancing Championships held in Cessnock, NSW in conjunction with Rosalyn and Reg Lindsay's Full Pro Rodeo 18th March 1995. Judges for the event were Gordon Elliott, Tina Salvestro & Rhonda Smith.

Under 16 (Duo/Trio):

Natasha Bennett, Samantha Beasley & Rebecca Beasley

Under 16 (Group):

Natasha Bennett, Samantha Beasley, Rebecca Beasley, Mitchell Hartman, Nikolai Rebrik, Candy Rebrik & Keisha Crowfoot

Open (Group):

Tiffany Hill, Jenny Hill, Simon Ward & David Flint

Judges: Gordon Elliott, Tina Salvestro & Rhonda Smith

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.

Country Goss' received a letter from Bob Carr, the NSW Premier and Minister of the Arts, thanking all dance groups for their support in preparation for Dance Week 1995 with line dance events taking place along the entire eastern seaboard. Read the letter on Page 12.

Platypus Shoes - All RM Williams Clothing and Accessories - RM Williams Boots $169.00 to $185.00, Akubra Hats $79.95. Blundstones $49.95. Call in at 385 Oxford St in Sydney or Mail Orders Delivered Anywhere. Open 7 days. Phone 02 360 1218.

Line Dancing arrived at the Muswellbrook Workers Club in March 1995 introduced to Muswellbrook by Pam Newton, a self-confessed addict who herself was introduced to line dancing at the recent Mattara Festival in Newcastle. Instructor Noelene Richardson (above) takes dancers through the routines. For class details contact Pam on 43 1471.

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

Steve Reid from Yesterday and Today Records gives us his spin on some of the "worst" country albums of all time. But who is he referring to from those artists below with this rant "Having all your teeth extracted without anaesthetic would be less painful than listening to this paean of yuppiedom". Now I know what you are thinking, what is paean? Well, we had to scramble for the Oxford dictionary ourselves, and yep, it's there! Read the full article in Country Goss'.

PERSONAL: Peter Adams (ex-Port Vila) please contact Tom Coleman on 043 322 098.

Some great music has hit the shelves in Australia just recently. Sony Music have just released a disc of special club mixes lifted from the Old Enough To Know Better CD by Wade Hayes. Three danceable tracks including Old Enough To Know Better, Don't Stop, & Don't Make Me Come To Tulsa along with the ballad Still Dancin' With You. Born and raised in Bethel Acres, Wade played the honky tonks of Oklahoma before receiving his big break in Nashville with his song "Still Dancin' With You". You will love this album!

Sony have also slipped me Junior Brown's "Guit With It" CD (yes apparently Guit is a word!). Junior's unique voice and guitar wizardry make him an exceptional performer, a talent that is certainly not lost on this Texan's latest CD. Also out from Sony is James House with "Days Gone By". I just love track 2 called "A real good way to wind up lonesome". The remainder of the album offers some good cruisin' vibes.

WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN

We're giving readers the chance to win all three discs. Full details in the mag.

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.

EMI have released a new compilation disc titled "Line Dance - The Ultimate Collection". Fifteen high energy tracks including Chris Ledoux, Garth Brooks, Charlie Daniels, Highway 101 and John Anderson. The inside sleeve also contains dance suggestions to each track.

BMG have released their "Young Country Sampler" jam packed with many of your favourite American artists including Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn plus many more.

WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN

We've got two copies of EMI's Line Dance - The Ultimate Collection along with one copy of BMG's Young Country sampler. Full details in the mag.

CD winners from our last issue:

BMG Cotton Eye Joe Promotion: Donna Chevell, Irene Heggen, Jan Kneath, Marie Quinlan, Barrie Radford, Julie Briggs, Julie Smedley, Fred Robbards, Francis Woosford & Connie Peters.

DINO More Country Line Dancing: L&I Lee

Grant Luhrs CD: JL Raspe

Massive CD: Fred Robberds

Australia's Favourite LD: Patricia Goodlet

Shanley Del CD: V Johnstone and Joanne Thomas

Willie Nelson CD (Member Winner): Elsie Smith

Blue Ribbon Saddlery - Country style Boots, Hats & Clothing - Akubra, RM Williams, Thomas Cook, Wrangler. Your complete country outfitter, Phone 02 623 467.

Several readers apparently took the ridiculous column Believe It or Not way too serious, so it has now been replaced with the slightly less ridiculous “You’ve Gotta Be Joking”. Huh?

And whilst we're in the "joking" mood have a look at this 1995 video from Dustin the Turkey on Irish TV's "The Den" presenting his case to ban line dancing!

COUNTRYTIME Genuine Wester Gear - Designed in Nashville Tennessee - Western Leather Belts - Embossed Leather Brands - Western Buckles - Boot Straps - Head Bands - Button Covers and More! Find us at Waneroo Markets in Perth , WA or phone 09 322 3475

In April 1995, Cindy Truelove and the Texan Rebel Bootscooters WA organised the "Line For Life" World Record Attempt at MacCallum Park in Perth. According to the scribbled note at the top of the flyer, over 1,700 dancers joined in!

Country Dance Clothing - Individually designed Mens & Ladies Western Apparel. Contact Tina 02 744 0742, Barry 02 327 5868 or Ken 02 398 3106.

The Country Goss' Dancing Around Australia listings continue to grow with 4 huge pages of classes now covering NSW, ACT, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Queensland Northern Territory, Western Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii. If you are on holidays looking for a dance class then you need look no further than Dancing Around Australia!

We get lots of interesting Letters to the Editor so thought we'd finish with a little snippet from Margaret Chapman's letter in the latest Bushwire. It was this 'barb' below directed squarely at the Editor that piqued our attention:

"...... now what has happened? Country Goss' started out as an informative newsletter with great potential, but the March/April edition had it exhibiting scurrilous rag tendencies. How about lifting the standard...... allow letters to stand unaccompanied by your comments however much you might enjoy it...... and how about putting water with your liquid refreshments when editing or stick with sarsaparilla, non-alcoholic....... my letter had 2 spelling errors...... and on...... and on...... and....".

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 May & June 1995? It was probably Billboard's #1 country song at the time "Any Man of Mine" by Shania Twain and the dance was Go Go Stomp.

Choreographed by Gloria and Emmitt Nelson of the USA, the Go Go Stomp was a relatively easy beginner dance performed in just one direction! Courtesy of Div's Line Dancing Directory, we have the step for you below.

And just on Step Sheets, within the FOUR HUGE pages of ramblings in Letters to the Editor, Ann Mathews has put together a short story using the names of many of the popular dances of the time. One particular dance mentioned, Roll Back The Rug, was a big fun favourite in the late 80's and compliments of Lisa Harper (QLD) we have that dance for you below. According to Div's Directory, the dance can also be done to Honky Tonk Rock by Keith Urban. Try It!

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.