Brushy Mountain Squares

Tag: Tony Oxendine

  • When The Warden’s Away The Inmates Will Play

    The caravan rolled south with one thing on our minds—sand, sun, and squares. The 49th Annual South Carolina Square and Round Dance Convention didn’t disappoint, living up to its theme “Sand & Sun in the Palmettos” with a weekend that felt equal parts beach party and dance marathon.

    The Brushy Mountain crew showed up in full character. Big Man brought the presence, Babyface kept things smooth, Queen Pookie ruled the floor (as expected), and Cool Hand made it all look effortless. Joining the fun were our newest inmates—Little Devil (living up to the name), The Twirler (who absolutely did), and Cupcake (sweet until the music starts… then watch out).

    We knew the coast was clear for a good time—after all, The Warden (Steve Kopman) had hauled the Caseworker, Nurse Ratched, Snowflake, Mr. Cool, and Crash off to Grand Rapids for the “Load the Boat on the Grand River” fly-in weekend; the Warden even took to the dance floor with internationally known caller Dave Heffron, who was surprisingly home for the fun event. That left us free to cut loose without supervision… and we took full advantage.

    The high-energy hall stayed packed, with a caller lineup that just wouldn’t quit. Local talent like Tony Oxendine, Nelson Jarvis, Theresa Rutz, Patty Greene, Joe Arnold, Tony Simmons, and Sam Rowan kept the floor moving and the laughs coming. Then came more heavy hitters—Connie Wise, Charlie Petrea, Dan Clairmont, and Ed Pabst—proving that when it comes to square dancing, mileage just means more stories and sharper calls.

    After hearing The Twirler’s (Joshua Ransom) calling, we upgraded his sentence to a life sentence without parole—no appeals, no early release, just more tips and more dancing. Somewhere in the middle of it all, it hit us: who needs a gym membership when you’ve got a hot hash tip rolling? Turns out the best workout plan is just staying on the floor and not missing the next call.

    Our very own Cool Hand (Luke Wilson) stepped into the spotlight during the Open Mic session, making multiple appearances for the first time and showing his talent to the world. He drew a crowd each time, with dancers and listeners alike gathering to see what he’d do next—and he did not disappoint. Not to be outdone, Little Devil teamed up with Joe Arnold for a crowd-pleasing rendition of “Sweet Caroline,” turning the hall into one big singalong and adding another unforgettable moment to the weekend.

    And somewhere along the way, we realized something… we might be turning into groupies. Three weekends in a row dancing to Tony Oxendine? At this point, we’re not even pretending it’s a coincidence. When the music hits and the energy’s right, you go where the calling takes you.

    Between the sunshine vibes, nonstop dancing, and a crew that knows how to have a good time, this convention was one for the books. If this is what “Sand & Sun in the Palmettos” looks like, you can bet Brushy Mountain will be back for more.

    Until next time—keep your squares tight and your stories even tighter.

  • Sweet Caroline, Hot Hash, and One Incredible Weekend

    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.

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