Tom Owens WLS National Barn Dance WLS Chicago, IL WMT Cedar Rapids, IA

About The Artist Back then, when you heard the square dance caller on the old Barn Dance shows, you were probably hearing Tom Owens, who they said had called more square dances than anybody. Even back in 1935, there may have been a generation gap, for they wrote that the '...younger generation may not understand exaclty what it signifies when the caller stands up with the sing-song shout all the way through the dance.' The square dances were called 'these old style dances' in the WLS Family Album of 1935 and even still, they became a staple of shows such as this and the Grand Ole Opry. They were said to be '...more intricate than some of the modern dances, and they involve many complicated figures.' The dancers followed the lead of the caller, hearing such things as "Circle Four" or "Do See Do" or "Circle to the left" and many other evolutions. But there was always some way to tell when a dance was coming to an end when you might here a caller such as Tom sing out "Promenade all, you know where, I don't care." Appearance History This Month

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Recordings (78rpm/45rpm)   Challenge Rec. No. Side Song Title   104 A Buffalo Girls (w/The WLS Barn Dance Trio)   104 B Ocean Waves (With Calls) (w/The WLS Barn Dance Trio)   105 A Irish Washerwoman (w/The WLS Barn Dance Trio)   105 B King's Head (w/The WLS Barn Dance Trio)   106 A Stoney Point Barn Dance (w/The WLS Barn Dance Trio)   106 B Hell On The Wabash (w/The WLS Barn Dance Trio)   107 A Buckwheat Batter (w/The WLS Barn Dance Trio)   107 B Mcleod's Reel (w/The WLS Barn Dance Trio)   306 B Buffalo Girls (w/The WLS Barn Dance Trio)   Dome Records Rec. No. Side Song Title   1011 A I Send Back Your Letters   1011 B The Trouble With Me Is You   Mercury Rec. No. Side Song Title   2022 A A New Ten Gallon Hat   2022 B You Can't Cry Over My Shoulders   6006 A Down By The Railroad Track   6006 B Freight Train Blues   6018 A Baby You Done Flubbed Your Dub With Me   6018 B Don't Say You Love Me If You Don't Mean It   6086 A Just Because   6086 B My Darling, Tell Me True   Silvertone Rec. No. Side Song Title   3106 A Buckwheat Batter (w/The WLS Barn Dance Trio)   3106 B Irish Washerwoman (w/The WLS Barn Dance Trio)   3108 A Stoney Point   3108 B Buffalo Girls