There’s something special about a weekend that reminds you exactly why you love square dancing – and this one delivered twice.
Friday night kicked things off in style at Little T’s 50th Anniversary Dance with Tony Oxendine at the mic. From the first note, the energy in the hall felt electric – part celebration, part reunion, and all heart. In between tips, Tony shared a gem of a story about Mike Hoose teaching him how to harmonize, a reminder that even the greats had someone showing them the ropes. It added a layer of comradery to an already meaningful night.
But the moment everyone will be talking about? That brand-new singing call of Sweet Caroline.
What made it even more special is the story behind it. The live debut actually happened earlier at the CALLERLAB Convention, but hearing it in our own hall felt like we were part of something bigger. Tony shared how the whole project almost didn’t happen – until his wife saw the vision and encouraged him to go all in. And “all in” he did: recording the track with a full 12-piece band in a professional studio – the kind of place where artists like Taylor Swift have recorded.
At first, Tony wasn’t sure it would even pay for itself. It was a big leap – time, talent, and resources poured into one song with a purpose. But then came that debut night at CALLERLAB. The response? Immediate. Overwhelming. By the end of the night, the project had completely paid for itself. Just like that.
And knowing that it’s more than just a great singing call – that it’s helping support caller education programs worldwide – gave the whole experience an extra layer of meaning. When we danced to it Friday night, it wasn’t just fun (though it absolutely was). It felt like we were part of something that keeps this activity growing for generations to come. (If you would like to own your own copy of Sweet Caroline…)
Brushy Mountain Squares also captured our biggest group photo to date – one of those moments where you look around and realize just how many people are part of this shared joy. If a picture says a thousand words, this one practically shouts.
Saturday night brought us to Eastman for the Partner’s Appreciation Dance with Travis Cook, and the good times didn’t slow down for a second. Before the dance even began, a few of us gathered for dinner at Southern Craft BBQ with Travis and Amanda Skidmore – great food, easy laughs, and the kind of conversation that makes you feel like you’ve known each other forever.
Back at the dance, Travis kept the floor moving with his signature style, and we wrapped up the night with something a little wild—a round of hot hash with ten dancers instead of the usual eight. Chaotic? A little. Fun? Absolutely.
To top it all off, our very own Deputy – celebrating a birthday – set up an “eye in the sky” and captured some incredible high-quality video of the night. It’s always nice to have memories, but it’s even better when you can relive them in motion.
Two nights. Two fantastic callers. A whole lot of laughter, music, and connection. Weekends like this don’t just happen – you feel them. And this one? We’ll be talking about it for a long time.
