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A brief overview:

Welcome to another historical (or should we say hysterical) issue of Country Goss’ now a whopping 12 pages!!! We mentioned last issue that some people were left scratching their heads with this one. Well, as you can see above, someone's decision to go with a red edition wasn't the best of ideas! Whilst the colour was nice, the black print against the red was extremely hard to read. Hopefully you can persevere as this issue is quite entertaining!

Who is The Phantom?

Now, the Phantom certainly stirred the pot last issue with his comments on Nick Erby. However, as the Editor points out, the spiteful and anonymous response from a select few readers was totally unwarranted and un-publishable. The Phantom after all, may be a shadowy figure, but is still very sensitive! Steve's (Yesterday and Today Records) comments on John Williamson also irked a number of readers but did receive a few thumbs up in agreement! Gotta love those Bushwire letters!

Nick Erby and John Williamson

Despite the backlash but salivating over the huge crates of "Phan Mail", the Phantom returns once again with more juicy gossip (yikes), hot tour rumours and industry scandals. Steve Reid from Yesterday & Today Records is also back with album reviews for Alan Jackson and Gina Jeffries, a compilation titled Red Hot and Country for an AIDS awareness project and there's the obligatory Country Christmas album. And spoiler alert....... not all reviews are flattering!

Which leads us to this little tidbit about country music and the CMAA........Oh no!!

So, what is traditional country music? Apparently, the Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA) rejected all nominations for Awards relating to Audio Murphy featuring Melinda Schneider and their smash dance hit "Tighten Up Your Pants".

No statement from the CMAA was forthcoming, however Phantom-esque whispers from within were quick in saying the organisation did not believe the song was traditional country! You can read the full story in the magazine but for those who haven't seen or heard this song, check out the 2 videos we've found for you and make up your own mind. The video above is the official Audio Murphy release whilst the one below is a wild live TV performance on the Doug Mulray Show from November (1994). Do you recognise any of the dancers in the videos!

So, Country or Not Country? Were the CMAA right in their decision to reject the nominations? Head to the MENU and lets us know what you think in the Comments Section!

January 1995 sees the release of Australia's first line dance compilation CD from Sony Music titled Australia's Favourite Line Dances Volume 1. The compilation features all original artists and was overseen by Gordon Elliott.

Get your boots on for dances such as Cadillac Ranch, Thunderbolt, Honky Tonk Attitude, Alley Cat, Tennessee Twist and many more, it is fantastic value.

For readers looking for instructional videos, Dino Music has several offerings. Presented by Diane Horner of the USA, these include Dino's Country Line Dancing, More Country Line Dancing, Country Line Dancing for Kids, Country Partner Dancing and Country Line Dancing with Style.

Closer to home, Cindy Truelove from Perth in WA has released "Let's Bootscoot".

Nine exceptional dances to learn including Cowboy Boogie, Tush Push, Bootscootin' Boogie, The Freeze, Cowboy Hustle, Achy Breaky plus Waltz Across Texas as both a partner dance and a line dance. All of these instructional videos will have you dancing like a pro in no time!

Julie and Stuart Carsley (above) and the Pacific Coast Line Dancers update readers on the money raised for their Farm Hand Appeal at the Ettalong War Memorial Club on the Central Coast. The event was supported by many dance clubs and businesses.

Check out the details for the upcoming Hunter Valley Country Music Dancing Championships to be held in conjunction with Ros & Reg Lindsay & Friends Full Pro Rodeo & Country Music Hoedown at the Cessnock Showground and there's a stack of info on where you can get your daily dose of country music on the radio.

And with the desk awash with music from the record labels, the Editor delivers album reviews for Brooks & Dunn, Bonnie Rait, Bushwackers, Clint Black, Mary Chapin Carpenter, The Tractors, Patty Loveless, Terry McBride and John Denver, plus there are heaps of giveaways GALORE!

Do you remember what song you were singing and dancing to in January 1995? With all the great music of the time to choose from, we thought you couldn't go past "Bootscootin' Boogie" by Brooks and Dunn. We've found this absolute gem of a live performance for you to dance to now!

Choreographed by Bill Bader (Canada), Bootscootin' Boogie is an absolute worldwide favourite and courtesy of Div's Line Dancing Directory we have the step sheet for you below.

What's On" has now been renamed "Dancing Around Australia", and the free dance class listings continue to grow nationwide. There is also a Step Sheet to a fun little dance called Linda Lu choreographed by Neil Hale of the USA and the Bushwire goes absolutely crazy with your Letters to the Editor.

Next issue (which will be yellow) will be jam packed with more news, views and giveaways along with the results of the 1995 Tamworth Country Line Dance Championships.

And now that we know that Goss' is short for Gossip, what better time to introduce a new column called "Believe it or Not".......hmmmm, how long can that last!

Bye!