Phil Jamison - biography

Phil Jamison (Asheville, NC) is nationally-known as a dance caller, old-time musician, and flatfoot dancer. Since the mid-1970s, he has been active as a dance caller, musician, and performer at festivals and dance events throughout the US and overseas, including close to thirty years as a member of the Green Grass Cloggers. His flatfoot dancing was featured in the film Songcatcher for which he also served as Traditional Dance consultant. From 1982 through 2004, he toured and played guitar with Ralph Blizard and the New Southern Ramblers. He also plays old-time fiddle and banjo. Over the years he has done extensive research in the area of Appalachian dance, and he has published many articles on traditional dance in The Old-Time Herald. Phil teaches mathematics and Appalachian music at Warren Wilson College, where he also coordinates the Old-Time Music & Dance Week at the Swannanoa Gathering. A longtime advocate of old-time squares, Phil created and hosted “Dare to be Square!,” a weekend workshop for square dance callers.