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

In preparing for this project, Line Dance History Australia has come across many interesting articles and pics from different sources. However, it is the publication Country Goss' that has been our main source of information for this historical website.

Each 2 months and exactly 30 years ago to the day, we will 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 will be lots more to read in each original magazine as time goes on, in the meantime we take a look at the story behind Country Goss' and give you a glimpse at what the Editor had to say way back in September 1994, plus a little more!

The size of Country Goss' fluctuated throughout its 6-year print run. Issue #1 was just four small A5 pages and issues 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 were a larger A4 format with around 8 to 20 pages. In mid 1995 Country Goss' took on a more a professionally styled and compact look (above) having generated huge interest from advertisers eager to tap into the burgeoning "bootscoot" market. This new look served readers well for 2 more years, however by November 1997 having outgrown itself, Country Goss' moved to a tabloid (newspaper) format with a glossy, full coloured cover.

Moving to this new 60-page tabloid format in early 1998 with a print run of 8,000 copies and published quarterly, Country Goss' was now available on newsagent shelves and distributed more widely. Dance teachers from around the globe - Indiana, Ireland, Oregan, South Africa, California, Alaska, Japan, France, New Jersey and the UK were keen to contribute and be a part of the publication and the readers loved it. Subscriptions soared.

The story behind Issue #1

September / October 1994

Thirty years ago, the idea behind Country Goss' was to gauge industry's reaction to a publication that focused on both the booming line dance scene and its strong association with country music.

Courtesy: Linedance Memories Australia

Coming off the back of Tamworth's inaugural Line Dance Championships in January 1993 at the Oxley Bowling Club where Gordon Elliott, Tina Salvestro and Ken Wheatley (above) scooped the major categories, there was very little information out and about. Country Goss' sought to fill that gap.

Gordon and Ken would also dance on stage with Jean Stafford at a 1993 performance.

Hot Kickin' Country Line Dance Parties. We provide the music, DJ's, Dancers, Line Dance Instruction. Costs: $250 without PA, $300 with PA. Contact Robyn Skinner 02 226 3882.

Central to the success of the National Line Dancing Championships were Joe and Kath McManamon and Tamworth's Coraperena Dancers. Courtesy of Australia's Linedance Memories, we have these 2 fabulous pictures from 1993 to share with you below.

Whether a mistake or not, the apostrophe in Goss' which we know is short for Gossip, ended up in the wrong spot - G'oss! (this was rectified in the following issue). But with money tight, line dancing growing at a phenomenal pace and the 1994 dance championships in Tamworth fast approaching, it was distributed nonetheless to instructors, record companies, record shops, country clothing outlets, radio stations, clubs, pubs, charities, travel agencies, hifi shops, DJ's and dancers.

Festival goers were always keen to be seen in Country Goss'

Along with minor chit-chat, there was a small piece on the upcoming Tamworth Country Music Festival and a fun article on two Sydney dancers - Andrew and Nicole (below) catching up with Garth Brooks at his Sydney concert and presenting him with a white Aussie Akubra, courtesy of John Wright the famous Strand Hatter. Miraculously, after 30 years we tracked down this historic photo for publication. John Wright (below) would become a regular advertiser with Country Goss’, outfitting dancers Australia wide with his cowboy hats. He was also a passionate line dancer!

Tucked away in the back corner of the publication, was a relatively obscure column titled "What's On" featuring local dance classes. The idea being dancers could seek out teachers and classes close to where they lived in Sydney. It wasn't envisaged to attract much attention outside of the local area, however by the time the January/February 1995 issue came around, "What's On" had exploded with dance class listings across every state. "What's On" would eventually be renamed "Dancing Around Australia".

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.

Noel Bradey, Michael Vera Lobos & Julie Talbot at the Harold Park Hotel 1994

Riding the surge of popularity was the iconic Harold Park Hotel in Glebe, NSW, which would be at the forefront of line dancing in Sydney with free 'Bootscooting' every Sunday afternoon. The hotel's front-page adverts bought in patrons, dancers and characters from across the country. A Channel 10 news story would soon follow.

C-Bon Screen Printing for all your line dance shirts and T-shirts. Professional design and screen printing. Ph: 02 555 1124.

Everyone loved bootscootin' at the Harold Park Hotel on Sunday afternoons!

Whilst Dancing Around Australia was the "go to" for classes at home and on holidays, it was the ‘Bushwire’ that would become one of the publication's more popular columns. With dancers always on the lookout for a place to dance, they were also quick to put pen to paper with gripes, letters of thanks, complaints, poems, songs, jokes, choreographies, life stories and fun holiday adventures. They would also send their photos.

Mobile Country Collection: Weddings, Parties, Hotels, Clubs, Fundraisers and MC. Phone Greg and Dawn on 02 634 3129.

October 1994 and Joan Smart and the Kiama Bootscooters were entertaining kids and their families with some fun dance routines at Hindmarsh Park as part of the Year of the Family weekend. And who are some of the faces behind the Kiama Bootscooters? Well, check out this fabulous black and white pic (above): Back Row L - R there's Julie Hallam, Joan Smart, Karen Mines & Wendy Jeffrey and Front Row (kids) L - R there's April Jeffrey (6), Shannon Jeffrey (5) & Sarah Jeffrey (4).

Hot Kickin' Country Line Dance Parties. We provide the music, DJ's, Dancers, Line Dance Instruction. Costs: $250 without PA, $300 with PA. Contact Robyn Skinner 02 226 3882.

The 1994 National Line Dancing Championships at Oxley Bowling Club would exceed all expectations with a record number of entrants from throughout Australia and The Australian Line Dancers (ALD) would host the inaugural Longest Line Dance down the centre of Peel St in Tamworth to the tune of Brooks & Dunn's Bootscootin' Boogie.

Pictured above are three of the ALD dancers and organisers, Tony Coggan, John Taverner and Tony Burns.

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.

Line Dance History Australia has put together some fabulous old footage from both of these events for your enjoyment. Click on the link below.

In 1995 with the Australian Line Dancing Championships outgrowing the Oxley Bowling Club, the event would transfer to the luxurious, air conditioned Calrossy School Auditorium. The school also offered on-site accommodation over the summer festival period.

Event organisers' Joe and Kath McManamon would also become regular contributors to Country Goss' with their informative Spirit of Tamworth column. Over the years their tireless commitment to country music, line dancing and philanthropic endeavors embodied the true spirit of selflessness.

Under the expert stewardship of Country Goss' National Executive Editor Marcia Ferris and Production Manager Vanessa Napier, contributions and giveaways from across industry would begin to grace the pages including a very unusual "Line Dancing by the Stars" astrology page prepared by Bruce Joseph. We will bring you all of this history as time goes by. Be sure to subscribe to receive all the update alerts. It's FREE!

Now, Golden Oldie Time. It may be 2024 now, but do you remember what song you were singing and dancing to 30 years ago in September 1994? It was probably "Children" by the Mavericks and the dance Midnight Waltz.

Choreographed by Jo Thompson (USA) below, Midnight Waltz still remains an internationally acclaimed 48 count Waltz to this day.

Courtesy of Div's Line Dancing Directory we have the Step Sheet for you below.

Historical Footnote: Country Goss' would evolve from a humble newsletter into a majestic, action packed, 76-page newspaper before signing off with its FINAL full colour, glossy magazine in the year of 2000. It was around this time that the internet had begun to impact our lives, and our reading habits would never be the same again.

Year 2000, the end of an era for Country Goss'

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

Bye.