Country Western Dancing in North Carolina

Home - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Webmaster - Site Info - Our Sites - Site copyright © 2000 Ronald Lee Still

Reviewers and Review Gudelines

Here's the scoop on the two individuals who regularly merge their opinions into this site's reviews.  They:

  • Were born in the mid-'40s.
  • Have formal training and performing experience with instruments and vocals in bands and choral groups.  Also training and experience in directing.
  • Have experienced live performances (in various countries) of the world's leading individual artists, bands, and orchestras (jazz, folk, rock, and classical in addition to country) since the '50s.
  • Have a personal music collection containing recordings of over 50,000 works.
  • Have danced since the '60s.

Occasionally comments from other experienced dancers or musicians are woven into the reviews.

Band Reviews

These reviews are written for country western (C/W) dancers, with dancing as a priority. To be considered for review, a band must be advertised as a C/W dance band, play at C/W dance clubs, or play C/W dance songs. By dancers' (a country western dancer must be able to lead or follow and not just freestyle by jumping up and down) standards, an excellent C/W concert band, that can not or will not keep a steady beat for dancers, will be rated low. Garth Brooks would get a poor review for doing his ballads, which are extremely hard to dance to.  Dates prior to November 1995 are approximates.

Like many critics and reporters, we also use exit polls and flush counts.

Major country western dance facilities in the Carolinas will play all country western-all night. Large facilities may have two or more separated rooms to accommodate the different music preferences of their clients. Many, generally rural 50-400 patron, clubs may schedule different music on different evenings, while others may play country in the early evening and switch to another form (beach, rock, top 40, rhythm and blues, or rap) later.

In these reviews, bands in major facilities are expected to play country western for the entire show, while bands in smaller venues may be playing a mixture from country western to the Beach Boys, ZZ Top, Clarence Carter, or Benny Goodman to their smaller mixed interest audience.  The reviewers consider the facility and audience when writing the review.

Since we can not know the contract conditions between management and the band, we judge the band's content on what we hear on a particular occasion, which may not reflect what is in their normal play list or their playing ability.

We're from the old school, that taught performers to dress for the role.  It has been hard in recent years to find country western dance bands that dress for the stage.  Some appear to be out for an evening's rehearsal in the garage.  The Hispanic bands playing our area are much more enthusiastic in dressing for the show. 

Too loud:
  • If the sound level for the audience, including the dancers on the floor is at the threshhold of pain.
  • If our ears ring so that we cannot hear the music clearly and we have lasting discomfort.
  • If we cannot be heard when we ask someone to dance or when we try to talk to our partner.
Our recommendation is to leave, if negotiation over the problem fails to satisfy you. In many clubs you can get your hand stamped and come back at the end of the band's set for the DJ's next session. The cover charge is not worth having a band or sound man spoil your evening or ruin your hearing.

 

Dance Club/Facility Reviews

For our purposes, a dance club in North Carolina will generally be a facility, not a group of people, and is defined by legal and traditional North Carolina usage.

To be listed, the facility must at least pretend to offer country western music. We decided to cover some facilities, such as a seniors' center or American Legion Post, because in some rural areas, that's all there is. The information in this section will be a mixture of facts and opinions. We intentionally cover some issues, which will apply only to certain age or opinionated groups in select areas.

Club information changes with the wind direction and speed. Some day you may show up and find someone's using a chain saw on your wood dance floor. Try to verify all important information presented here, before getting dressed and driving to the facility. We've called to verify a country western dance band was on the club schedule, only to discover hours later that the band was instructed to play rock by the management.

If I think I may be wrong or have a prejudice affecting my writing, I try to get a second opinion. If the club's carpets are soaked and sticky, that's a reportable fact. The degree of frustration at the slip resistence of the dance floor is sometimes worthy of a second opinion.

Expectations:

Major country western facilities in North Carolina will play virtually all country western-all night. Large facilities may have two or more separate rooms to accomodate different music preferences. You should expect the country western side to stay with country western music. Small clubs in remote locations may schedule different music on different evenings, while others play country western in the early evening and whatever (beach, rock, top 40, rhythm and blues, or rap) later. Some small clubs will alternate music all evening.

DJs:

DJs in North Carolina who work events and some in clubs, tend to stretch the truth a lot. To attract or keep an audience, they will promise you anything and give you little satisfaction. We've asked many DJs if they were going to be playing an evening of country western music or a mixture including country western music. We are often reassured that the music will be country western, but then it has not been unusual to wait over 2 hours without hearing a country song being played by the DJ. Forget what you paid to get in that facility.  Walk out and never go anywhere they are working. If nothing else, it will lower your stress level and save you money for the next country western dance opportunity you get. It may even encourage you to drive farther to find a friendly country western dance facility.

Club Owners and Management:

See DJs above.

If you would like to send us a North Carolina facility review, please use this guide:

  • City - Club location
  • Name - Name on the sign outside the facility or registered business name, and local name, if different
  • Location - Street address and how to find it
  • Telephone - Include area code; FAX number, E-Mail, and URL if available
  • Dance floors - What are they made of, how large are they, what are they shaped like
  • Music - What and when do they play and who plays it (band or DJ)
  • Open dancing - When
  • Dance lessons - When and what do they teach
  • Issues - Alcohol or non. Smoking or non. Cover charges. Dress code. Special promos. Safety and health issues.
  • General facility - Clean or dirty. Carpet or tile. Seats or standing. Capacity. Lighting and stage.
  • Date of last visit - When did you go to review it and your name.

Schedules

These listings are generally country western dance band engagements near the Raleigh area of North Carolina. We occasionally list concerts or local activities that will not get the attention of major media. As a courtesy to the diversity of our community, we may even list a pig pickin'.*

Facilities have advertised concerts and events, which never took place for many reasons. We provide listings as a service to the community without guarantee. Try to avoid disappointments. Call, call, try to call, and call again to verify the band and schedule before driving to the facility.

House bands are assumed to play every week.

When facilities and communities go on line, we may provide links and drop the listings. Some may be very casually related to our theme. For example, the Garner spring and summer activities have country western, bluegrass, or swing music scheduled and traditionally have ample space for dancing. Never assume a smooth, level, or restricted dance area in nontraditional settings. Most festival planners aren't dancers and aren't interested in dancers' problems and needs.

Remember, if you plan to dance at an outdoor event in the heat and humidity, bring an ice chest that can double as a chair. This gives you a place to rest and a means to cool. Check with the sponsor, if you would be disappointed when your ice chest gets banned from the event. Basically amphitheatres, like Walnut Creek, ban everything they don't rent or sell you (shucks, they may even pat down your boots). Street fairs, parks, and school grounds affairs may ban alcoholic beverages or glass containers, but generally permit ice chests and chairs to be carried in.

*Pig Pickin'

For anyone not familiar with North Carolina cuisine, let us reassure you a pig pickin' rates right up there with the best. Oh that. Well you take a hog, cut it in half from nose to tail, cook on a rack laid in a large charcoal cooker resembling a 55 gallon steel drum for half a day/night, put all types of secret family sauces and basting ingredients on the carcass, and then pick what you wish to eat. Yes, virtually all parts are traditionally presented for eating. Consider this a great learning experience for strangers to this culture. Related topic: mountain oysters.

Barbecue? Here's how to cook it