78-rpm Recordings of Southern Dance Callers (1924-33)
This collection of nearly 100 old recordings was created by Phil Jamison to accompany the publication of his book, Hoedowns, Reels and Frolics (2015). The book tells the story behind the square dances, step dances, reels, and other forms of dance practiced in southern Appalachia. Other sections of Jamison's website include still images and videos illustrating these different dance forms as they have changed over time.
Phil Jamison: "When rural Southern dance music was first recorded in the 1920s, many of the early recordings included square dance calls. These “Barn Dances with Calls” were not intended for dancing – the calls were simply part of the music – but they added to the rustic image of this "old-time" music and no doubt enhanced its marketability. Below are audio files of ninety-five recordings (made between 1924 and 1933) of forty-four Southern callers, transcriptions of the dance calls, and information about the musicians and callers. Like audio snapshots, these recordings may be the closest thing we have to a primary source from which to learn about the Southern square dance tradition prior to the standardization of square dancing that occurred during the first half of the twentieth century. The callers on these recordings can be grouped into six geographic regions, based on where they grew up or lived."
Subjects: Southern Appalachian - general, Southern / Appalachian / Four-couple squares, Southern / Appalachian / Big sets
Item Relations
| Item: Finding List of Southeastern Square Dance Figures | is related to | This Item |
| Item: Larry Edelman Collection - 78 rpm recordings | is related to | This Item |
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Phil Jamison: "When rural Southern dance music was first recorded in the 1920s, many of the early recordings included square dance calls. These “Barn Dances with Calls” were not intended for dancing – the calls were simply part of the music – but they added to the rustic image of this "old-time" music and no doubt enhanced its marketability. Below are audio files of ninety-five recordings (made between 1924 and 1933) of forty-four Southern callers, transcriptions of the dance calls, and information about the musicians and callers. Like audio snapshots, these recordings may be the closest thing we have to a primary source from which to learn about the Southern square dance tradition prior to the standardization of square dancing that occurred during the first half of the twentieth century. The callers on these recordings can be grouped into six geographic regions, based on where they grew up or lived."