A few of Brushy Mountain Outlaws (The Transporter, Queen Pookie, Cool Man Luke, and Snowflake) made the trip to celebrate the Western Promenaders’ 70th Anniversary, and it was one for the books. The floor stayed lively all night with Jet and Sylvia Roberts keeping everything moving and the dancers right on cue.
Good friends, great dancing, and a whole lot of fun packed into one night. Everyone left with smiles, tired feet, and memories worth the miles.
Sometimes, square dancing takes you a little farther than the next county over.
This past weekend, two of our own (Big Man & Babyface) from the Brushy Mountain Squares packed their bags, laced up their dancing shoes, slid their dancing socks over their toes and pointed themselves north toward Dayton, Ohio. The occasion wasn’t just another dance—it was something deeper, something that reminds us why this community means so much.
They were headed to Jack Pladdys’ Appreciation Dance.
Now, if you’ve been around square dancing long enough, you know names come and go across the microphone—but some voices stick with you. Not just for the calls, but for the kindness behind them. This dance was held to support Jack as he continues a hard fight—battling cancer that has metastasized to his jaw, and the ongoing medical care that comes with it.
And that’s where the square dance world does what it does best.
It shows up.
No matter the miles, no matter the distance, dancers gather. Not just to swing and promenade, but to lift each other up in ways that go far beyond the floor. That’s exactly what our Brushy Mountain travelers did—carrying a little piece of Tennessee with them into that hall in Dayton.
We like to think there’s a certain style to Brushy Mountain Squares. It’s not just in how we dance—it’s in how we care. It’s in the willingness to drive hours just to stand in a square with someone who needs support. It’s in the laughter shared between tips, the quiet understanding during a slow song, and the unspoken promise that none of us dance alone.
Of course, not everyone could make the trip up to Dayton—but if you know Brushy Mountain Squares, you know that doesn’t mean they weren’t there in spirit. Back home in the hills, there were folks thinking about Jack and wishing they could be in that square. Around here, you don’t have to cross state lines to stand with someone—you just have to care. Whether they were dancing in Ohio or holding down the fort wherever we hail from, every one of us square dancers were a part of that circle, proving once again that square dancers show up… one way or another.
From the hills of Tennessee to the heart of Ohio and around the world, that spirit traveled well.
We’re proud of our dancers who made the trip. Proud to be part of a community that rallies when it matters. And proud to call folks like Jack Pladdys part of our extended square dance family.
If you would like to support Jack Pladdys – visit http://www.jacksday.com to “Tip The Caller” or send a check to the address listed.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not about perfect timing or fancy footwork.
It’s about showing up… and keeping the circle (or square) unbroken.
When people think of square dance, they often picture energetic groups in colorful skirts and western shirts, but few know the name behind one of the most influential voices in the activity’s modern era — Bob Osgood.
Bob’s journey in square dancing began long before most dancers knew there was a “square dance world.” As a college student in Southern California, he started calling dances and teaching steps. His passion for the activity grew even during World War II, when he organized and called dances for fellow servicemen — a role that sharpened both his skills and his belief in the power of community through dance.
After the war, Bob realized something important: square dancers and callers across the country were eager to share ideas, but there was no hub for conversation or connection. In 1948, he launched Sets in Order, a monthly magazine dedicated to square dance choreography, culture, news, and education. What began as a regional publication quickly became a national phenomenon — eventually running 444 issues over 37 years — and served as a central resource for dancers, teachers, and callers around North America and beyond.
Through the pages of the magazine (retitled Square Dancing in later decades), Bob published dance calls, club news, teaching guides, and essays that helped standardize terminology and technique. His editorial leadership gave square dance its own shared language and community network at a time when the hobby was spreading but lacked cohesion.
Bob’s influence wasn’t limited to print. In the early 1950s, he produced and hosted square dance television programs, bringing instruction and joy into people’s homes at a time when TV was still young. He also helped organize workshops, caller schools, vacation dance institutes, and even international tours for square dancers — helping spread the activity to audiences as far away as Europe, Asia, and Hawaii.
Perhaps one of his most lasting legacies was his role in the formation of CALLERLAB, the International Association of Square Dance Callers. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, as square dance terminology and expectations were becoming more complex, Bob helped convene callers and leaders to create standardized teaching programs still used today. He served as the organization’s first Executive Secretary and later Board Chairman, fostering collaboration across the community.
Bob Osgood often said that square dancing was more than steps and calls — it was “friendship set to music.” That philosophy guided his work as a caller, publisher, organizer, and promoter. His vision connected dancers across cities, states, and even continents, giving square dance a structure, visibility, and vibrancy that ensured it would thrive long after his lifetime. For us today, Bob Osgood’s contributions are a reminder that preserving tradition while building community can keep culture alive — and that one passionate individual can shape an entire movement. His work continues to influence how we teach, dance, and celebrate square dancing, making him an enduring figure in our lives and in the history of this uniquely American art form.
Though he passed away in 2003, Bob Osgood’s influence still echoes in dance halls, magazines, caller conventions, and the vibrant community he helped build. Whether you’re a seasoned caller or a newcomer learning your first do‑si‑do, his fingerprints are part of the joy you experience on the dance floor.
Bob should be the reminder to callers that while calling steps is important, what really mattered was helping dancers connect with one another through the joy of the dance.
Our square dance community is grounded in respect, trust, and shared experience. We recognize that dancers have faced sexual harassment or assault, both within and beyond the dance environment. We stand in support of those individuals.
We are committed to fostering a culture where boundaries are respected, consent is prioritized, and every dancer feels safe and welcome on the floor.
Let us continue working together to ensure our community reflects the values we strive to uphold.
Effective immediately, Brushy Mountain Squares will be implementing the “Solitary Confinement.”
Each tip, one dancer will be randomly selected to stand in the center and reflect on their mistakes while the rest of the square continues dancing around them.
Infractions include:
• Missing a call
• Premature swinging
• Suspicious lack of enthusiasm
We believe this will greatly improve overall discipline.
Thank you for your understanding.
And Happy April Fools!!!
Word has reached The Warden’s desk that several of Brushy Mountain Squares’ most dangerous repeat offenders went missing last weekend — and the surveillance footage doesn’t lie.
The Big Man, Caseworker, Babyface, Boats, Boogie, Fireball, and The Deputy — eight of the Southeast’s Most Wanted Dancers — were spotted at large in Northern Virginia for all three days of the 2026 WASCA Spring Dance Festival. WASCA (Washington Area Square Dancers Cooperative Association) hosts one of the most popular square and round dance festivals in the nation, drawing hundreds of dancers and a first-class lineup of callers from across the country. Naturally, our crew fit right in.
The gang danced every day, caused the usual amount of trouble on the floor, and — perhaps most suspiciously — was seen in the company of not one but two Tennessee callers on multiple occasions.
First, there’s Ken Burke — Nashville-based, full-time traveling caller, and a man whose own website greets you with the warning: “This Ain’t Your Daddy’s Square Dance.” Known for his offbeat humor, distinctive music choices, and an uncanny ability to get even the greenest newcomer dancing confidently, Ken was one of eight callers on the 2026 WASCA roster. Witnesses report the BMS crew was smiling far too much during his tips to claim innocence.
Then there’s The Warden himself — Steve Kopman of Knoxville, TN. If you’re unfamiliar with Steve, consider this: the man called at the New York World’s Fair at the age of seven. Seven. Son of the legendary Lee Kopman — one of the most prolific choreographers in square dance history — Steve has spent decades calling festivals, weekends, and conventions across the US, Europe, and Japan. He also happens to be the club caller for the Little T Squares in Lenoir City, TN, the largest square dance club in the Southeast. Safe to say, when The Warden speaks, squares move.
As if either one alone wasn’t enough, Ken and Steve shared the mic for a few dances together over the weekend — a collision of Tennessee talent that left the BMS crew thoroughly sentenced to a great time.
The Warden confirms that all seven north-bound fugitives have been accounted for and returned safely to Southeast territory — tired, happy, and already asking when they can do it again.
While these seven tried their best to head north and escape the long arm of the law, Snowflake, Queen Pookie, The Transporter, and Cool Hand Luke attempted another daring escape and were last seen in Rome, Georgia engaging in more shenanigans at the Western Promenaders 70th Anniversary Dance. Rumor has it that Jet Roberts was seen with this group of ne’er-do-wells. Additional details are sketchy at this time, as The Deputy awaits further reporting from local boots on the ground. As always, photographic evidence of these convicts in action is both welcomed and appreciated!
If you’d like to join the gang on our next great escape, keep an eye on our Calendar page for upcoming events. Fair warning: once you’re in, you’re in.
— Filed from the road, Brushy Mountain Squares
Brushy Mountain Squares members enjoyed a great Dance by Definition Plus Workshop with Tony Oxendine, sharpening their skills and having criminal amounts of fun on the dance floor together!
January turned out to be a fun and memorable month on the dance floor! Big Man and Babyface kicked things off by returning from Germany, where they had the special opportunity to dance with Babyface’s home club Castle Ghosts. It was a wonderful way to reconnect, share the joy of square dancing across borders, and bring that energy back home with them.
Back here, we had several members proudly graduate from advanced square dance classes with Double K Squares with our Warden, always an exciting milestone worth celebrating. Our group also traveled to Somerset, Kentucky, for the General Butler Bash. Boats, Boogie, Babyface, and Bigman spent time sharpening their advanced dancing skills, while Cool Hand Luke jumped into learning round dancing for the first time. Others enjoyed a full weekend of dancing, plus plenty of tips, laughs, and good company.
Winter weather tried its best to slow us down and did impact a few local dances, but it didn’t stop the fun entirely. We still managed to dance to Justin Russell with Little T’s and enjoyed another great evening with Ken Burke calling for Friendship Squares. Even with chilly temperatures outside, January kept us warm with music, movement, and friendship on the dance floor.
Had an absolute blast at The General Butler Bash, where Angie, Becky, Joey, Luke and George busted out in our very first A dance, and let’s just say the callers and squares were so good, we didn’t totally embarrass ourselves, plus the rest of the party crew had a prison riot in the Plus hall.
Love can strike anywhere…. Even in the slammer. Two inmates escaped to an undisclosed beach and got hitched. Now, they are facing life with no chance of parole.
