Cumberland Dance Week 2006 - A wonderful family camp set in the hills of Kentucky. The music is fabulous (Avant Gardeners, Berea Castoffs, etc.), the accommodations are great, the staff is the best.

That's where it all began. Chris Bischoff, a great caller, taught a calling workshop. I thought it would be fun to give it a try. I enjoyed the class and on Thursday night, I got a chance to call for a late night dance with Back Porch Rockers playing. This was my first chance. I called "Small Potatoes" by Jim Kitch. It was a simple dance I got from Seth Tepfer's website as a good dance for new callers. In my opinion, I sucked but the dancers were great and things worked out fine. I got a lot of support after the dance.

The next night was Friday and the last night of camp. There was no planned late night dance but the band was up for it and so I got another chance. I called E6 by Robert Cromartie (given to me by Seth Tepfer - my bestest calling buddy). The band this time was Avant Gardeners. I taught the dance quickly and asked the band which tune they wanted to play. When Laura Light told me they were going to play Tam Lin, my jaw hit the floor. That has to be one of my favorite tunes of all times. Needless to say I was psyched and scared to death that I would start grooving to the music and completely forget about calling. However, the band made it so easy to figure out where I was in the music that I had next to no problems. I can't explain the elation I felt as I finished calling my second dance ever. Avant Gardeners playing Tam Lin - for me - unbelievable. Anyway, that was how the camp ended and it was a fabulous experience.