Click on the publication above to view the original format.

In preparing for this project, Line Dance History Australia has come across many interesting articles and pics from different sources. However, it is the publication Country Goss' that has been our main source of information for this historical website.

Now, rather than pick and choose what you might like or not like to read, we decided to publish each issue in its entirety and then supplement the Country Goss' editorials with additional news, photos, videos and stories that may not have been available to the publication at the time.

The size of Country Goss' fluctuated throughout its 6 year print run. Issue 1 was just four small A5 pages and issues 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 were a larger A4 format with around 8 to 20 pages. In mid 1995 Country Goss' took on a more a professionally styled and compact look which served readers well for 2 more years. However, by November 1997 having outgrown itself, Country Goss' moved to a tabloid (newspaper) format with glossy full colour covers.

Moving to this new tabloid format in early 1998 with a print run of 8,000 copies and published quarterly, Country Goss' was now available on newsagent shelves and distributed more widely. Dance teachers from around the globe - Indiana, Ireland, Oregan, South Africa, California, Alaska, Japan, France, New Jersey and the UK were keen to contribute and be a part of the publication and the readers loved it. Subscriptions soared.

The story behind Issue #1

September / October 1994

Thirty years ago, the idea behind Country Goss' was to gauge industry's reaction to a publication that focused on both line dancing and country music. Whether a mistake or not, the apostrophe in Goss' which we know is short for Gossip, ended up in the wrong spot - G'oss! (this was rectified in the following issue). But with money tight, line dancing growing at a phenomenal pace and the dance championships in Tamworth fast approaching, it was distributed nonetheless to instructors, record companies, record shops, country clothing outlets, radio stations, clubs, pubs, charities, travel agencies, hifi shops, DJ's and dancers.

Along with minor chit-chat, there was a small piece on the upcoming Tamworth Country Music Festival and a fun article on two Sydney dancers - Andrew and Nicole (below) catching up with Garth Brooks at his Sydney concert and presenting him with a white Aussie Akubra, courtesy of John Wright the famous Strand Hatter. Miraculously, after 30 years we tracked down this historic photo for publication. John Wright (below) would become a regular advertiser with Country Goss’, outfitting dancers Australia wide with his cowboy hats. He was also a passionate line dancer!

Tucked away in the back corner of the publication, was a relatively obscure column titled "What's On" featuring local dance classes. The idea being dancers could seek out teachers and classes close to where they lived in Sydney. It wasn't envisaged to attract much attention outside of the local area, however by the time the January/February 1995 issue came around, "What's On" had exploded with dance class listings across every state. "What's On" would eventually be renamed "Dancing Around Australia".

Riding the surge of popularity was the iconic Harold Park Hotel in Glebe, NSW which would be at the forefront of line dancing with free 'Bootscooting' every Sunday afternoon. The hotel's front-page adverts bought in patrons, dancers and characters from across the country. A Channel 10 news story would soon follow.

Whilst Dancing Around Australia was the "go to" for classes at home and on holidays, it was the ‘Bushwire’ that would become one of the publication's more popular columns. Whilst dancers were always on the lookout for a place to dance, they were also quick to put pen to paper with gripes, letters of thanks, complaints, poems, songs, jokes, choreographies, life stories and fun holiday adventures.

In 1993, Tamworth's first line dance competition at the Oxley Bowling Club would pave the way for future competitions and talent. Scooping the major categories that year were Gordon Elliott, Tina Salvestro and Ken Wheatley (below).

Twelve months later and the 1994 National Line Dancing Championships at Oxley Bowling Club would exceed all expectations with a record number of entrants from throughout Australia. The Australian Line Dancers (ALD) would also host the inaugural Longest Line down Peel St in Tamworth. Pictured below are three of the ALD dancers and organisers, Tony Coggan, John Taverner and Tony Burns.

Line Dance History Australia has put together some fabulous old footage from both of these events for your enjoyment. Click on the link below.

In 1995 with the Australian Line Dancing Championships outgrowing the Oxley Bowling Club, the event would transfer to the luxurious, air conditioned Calrossy School Auditorium. The school also offered on-site accommodation over the summer festival period.

Event organisers' Joe and Kath McManamon (below), would also become regular contributors to Country Goss' with their informative Spirit of Tamworth column. Over the years their tireless commitment to country music, line dancing and philanthropic endeavours, embodied the true spirit of selflessness.

Under the expert stewardship of Country Goss' National Executive Editor Marcia Ferris, contributions and giveaways from across industry would begin to grace the pages including a very unusual "Line Dancing by the Stars" astrology page prepared by Bruce Joseph. We will bring you all of this history as time goes by. Be sure to subscribe to receive all the update alerts. It's FREE!

And do you remember what song you were singing and dancing to in September 1995? It could have been "Children" by the Mavericks" with the dance "Midnight Waltz".

Choreographed by Jo Thompson (USA), Midnight Waltz remains an internationally acclaimed 48 count waltz and courtesy of Div's Line Dancing Directory, we have the Step Sheet for you below.

Historical footnote: Country Goss' would evolve from a humble newsletter into a majestic, action packed, 76 page glossy covered newspaper before signing off with its FINAL full colour, glossy magazine in the year of 2000. It was around this time that the internet had begun to impact our lives and our reading habits would never be the same again.

All original publications of Country Goss’ are available to view at the Government archives in Canberra, Australia.