Line Dance History Australia
The BOOTSCOOT Manual
Preserving Australia's First Line Dance Guide
BOOTSCOOT
by MAXCY MOON
This line dance manual was first introduced into Australia in 1986 by Geoff Perkins of Sydney following several visits to the USA. It was titled BOOTSCOOT and written by Maxcy Moon.
It contains all of the original dances that were being taught by the Paddington Green Hotel instructors at the time.
Australia's Original 17 Line Dances
How did Line Dance History Australia come across BOOTSCOOT by Maxcy Moon?
In the July/August 1996 edition of Country Goss', Trevor Smith from Western Australia recalled in great detail, Australia's early line dance origins of which he was a central part of. He also very kindly donated to Country Goss' at the time, a fabulous piece of line dance history, Australia’s first ever Line Dance Manual titled BOOTSCOOT by Maxcy Moon.
Whilst the manual explained all of the terminology and step descriptions for the dance routines, it did not reference the choreographer or specifically match any songs to the dances, so the Paddington Green Instructors would have had to refer back to Geoff Perkins for the music or use their own initiative. However, from notes scribbled across various pages and with a little more research, we now know at least 10 of their music selections at the time. They are:
Montana's Frieze: The Gidgybug Pub Song by James Blundell,
Continental Hustle: Wheeler Dealer by The Flying Emus,
Cotton Eye Joe: (possibly) Cotton Eye Joe by Bob Wills,
San Antonio Stroll: San Antonio Stroll by Tanya Tucker,
Ten Step: Mule Skinner Blues by Mary Schneider,
Twenty Two Step: Ghost Riders In The Sky by Mary Schneider,
Cowboy Hustle: Heartaches By The Number by Dwight Yoakam,
Tahoe Kick: Diamond Creek by The Flying Emus,
Slap Leather: City Of New Orleans by Willie Nelson,
Tulsa Time: Maybe My Baby by Louise Mandrell, &
Texas Eight Corners: Guitars and Cadillacs by Dwight Yoakam.
Tulsa Time was danced to Mabe My Baby by Louise Mandrell
Further notes scribbled on the inside jacket suggest more dances were in the pipeline from the USA. These included Tush Push, Butt Stop, Elvira, Flying Aces, Reggae Cowboy, Circle Jerk, Roll Back The Rug, and Tumbleweed. Several of these would go on to become all-time classics.
How exciting back in the late 80's! What songs would you have used for these dances? Let us know.
Download BOOTSCOOT
It's here, the iconic BOOTSCOOT manual by Maxcy Moon.
Seventeen original dances and step sheets from 1986 plus a glossary of terms & steps. Explore the dances that shaped Australia's vibrant dance scene and enjoy a piece of line dance history! Follow the arrow to Maxcy Moon's BOOTSCOOT!
NOTE: The cover and inside cover of BOOTSCOOT are still in good shape (surprisingly), however due to its use over time, the dance routines, glossary and introductory pages have had to be meticulously reviewed and reprinted for the purposes of viewing on this website.