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A brief overview:

Another fabulous issue as we look back on the 1995 Tamworth Country Music Festival and Australian Line Dance Championships starting with this classic of Kath McManamon and Terry Hogan in Peel St. There is also a wonderful piece of memorabilia - a 1995 Finalists Program, courtesy of Australian Linedance Memories.

We have been very fortunate in receiving contributions from readers supporting Australia's Line Dance History with stories, photos, videos and ideas. One recent idea from a reader which the team has run with is, as we release each bi-monthly issue of Country Goss' we also select a song and dance that reflected line dancing's popularity at that time. A bit of a "golden oldie" moment you could say. We've now gone back and updated the past issues of Country Goss' accordingly, have a look. Do you remember what song you were singing and dancing to in March 1995 (and beyond)? Be sure to read on.

Whilst everyone had their minds on Tamworth this year, an article appeared in the January 1995 edition of Time Magazine titled Buckles, Boots and All. Taking an in-depth look at the "bootscooting" craze sweeping Australia, from its dedicated inner-city Sydney following through the late 80's, its growth in Melbourne's gay and lesbian community since it started in the early 90's, to exploding throughout Australian suburbia. It's a great story to kick off this issue and we've re-produced it here for you to read.

On to Tamworth and several readers were upset over the Editor's reference to Tamworth as "Gulch Gully" in the previous issue. Clarifying, the Ed says that Tamworth is a thriving metropolis and fun place to be. Just a misunderstanding. We made our own enquiries with the locals, and they told us the Editor's comment was probably more about Tamworth being hot and dry in January rather than anything negative. In fact, they said it can get so hot, you can fry an egg on the bonnet of your car for breakfast! OK, point taken.

We celebrate the fun and colour of Tamworth with all the results from the 3rd Australian Country Line Dancing Championships at Calrossy and take a look at the West Tamworth Leagues Club Dance Night - often referred to as the Championship "Warm Up Night". there's the 1995 Masters in Wanganui, New Zealand, as well as the Big Country Weekend incorporating the Country Music Association’s Showcase Challenge where Music Clubs compete for the Music Association of the Year trophy.

"First timers" ready to compete in the Large Open Group Category

Entrants in the Open Duo/Trio category

Unfortunately, there was some disquiet amongst dancers and judges this year concerning competition rules and protocols and it would appear that this may become a big topic of conversation amongst the various dance clubs over the next 12 months. Be sure to catch up with all the latest Goss' in our next BIG bumper May/June issue!

A highlight of this year's Country Music Festival was the Guiness Book of Records Longest Line attempt with 1,206 dancers. We've come across this story (below) of the 1995 Longest Line courtesy of ABC TV.

Prior to this year's Tamworth Festival, the Central Coast Leagues Club in NSW played host to the 1995 Australian Line Dancing Choreography Competition with Pam White taking out the Beginners and Lisa Collingwood winning the Advanced section. Bev Sandiford and Jeannette Cartwright were the recipients of the Encouragement Award.

Judges for the event were Clive McKenzie, Bettina Franklin & Gordon Elliott.

Country Goss' attended several record launches at this year's Festival, and you can read all about them in the original magazine - there's (Mr Nude Bootscooting) Grant Luhrs at the Long Yard Hotel, Troy Cassar-Daley at Banjoes and Ian Stephen, Jann Brown, Wylie and the Wild West Show and Cameron Daddo at the Massive Label record launch. Lots to see and much more.

Wylie & The Wild West, Troy Casser-Daley & Grant Luhrs

Crowds estimated to be 8000+ strong, jostled for position on the last Friday night of the Festival to catch acts including Darcy Le Year, Craig Giles, Cameron Daddo, Redneck Mothers, Shot to Pieces and others. The free entertainment on a huge stage in Peel St is one of the Festival's major crowd pleasers, so why would one Tamworth radio DJ make the comment that entertainment on Tamworth's streets should be left solely to the buskers? Could it be because of Darcy's insensitive ad-libbing of lines in the song Trashy Women whilst performing? We'll leave that to The Phantom in Country Goss' to speculate!

Craig Giles, Cameron Daddo & Darcy Le Year

Whether you were learning to line dance, listening to the buskers or just soaking up the atmosphere, Peel St was the place to be to catch up with friends!

In Peel St, it's all about the enjoyment!

And on the other side of town at the famous Locomotive Hotel, there were talent quests for all ages, dance competitions, great bands and interesting characters.

Talent quest kids and ALD's Bloody Mary's

Earlier we asked if you remember what song you were singing and dancing to in March 1995? There were so many to choose from however we couldn't go past this great song and dance of the same name "Smokey Places" by Ronnie McDowell (admit it, you did sing along while dancing)!

Choreographed by Michele Perron (Canada) in January 1995. Smokey Places was the first internationally acclaimed Rumba line dance ever choreographed to country music. It could be danced alone or with a partner and courtesy of Div's Line Dancing Directory we have provided the Step Sheet below.

Country Goss' recaps a number of instructional dance videos from Cindy Truelove and Diane Horner both receiving wide acclaim, and Julie Talbot releases her new instructional video Hottest Linedances featuring 5 fun dance routines including Girls Night Out, Linda Lu, Bartender Stomp, Cadillac Ranch and Sleazy Cowboy.

Filmed on location at the Ermington Hotel's Cadillac Ranch Bar we've included a short 4 minute promo of Hottest Linedances (below) with many instructors and familiar faces donating their time on the dance floor. Recognise anyone?

The Editor reviews a raft of new CD's and there's giveaways galore including Shanley Del's "What's A Heartache For", Rednex "Cotton Eye Joe", Gordon Elliott's "Australia's Favourite Line Dances" plus a bunch of Sony Samplers!

The Phantom graces the Goss' pages once again with tantalising treats and saucy secrets, and there's the brand new column “Believe it or Not” making its dubious debut!

Dancing Around Australia is bigger than ever and the Bushwire goes crazy with 4 HUGE PAGES of reader's letters. There's news, views and information from across the globe, gossip, giveaways, dance parties and upcoming dance holidays. And speaking of dance holidays............

...........A reader sent us this pic of their dance holiday to New Zealand over 17 years ago. Do you recognise the young bloke circled, a future choreographer or instructor maybe? What about over on the far left, is that Eddy May, choreographer of the hit dance Nada? And hiding below that cowboy hat at the front, could that be Mack Apaapa of Southern Streamline fame?

We hope you enjoy this latest edition of Country Goss'. If you have any fun stories or old photos that you would like included in upcoming editions, then drop us a line at linedancehistoryaustralia@gmail.com

Bye.