Glenn Wilson - ACF Member

Glenn Wilson - ACF Member

Glenn Wilson

Square Dance Caller

Website URL: https://glennwilsonsquaredance.weebly.com/

While I was at Zillmere State School in the late 60’s, I was first introduced to Square Dancing as a compulsory part of the curriculum. It was while at Pine Rivers High School in 1976, I went to my first real Square Dance with a live caller. It was here I became hooked. The club was “Pine Rangers” run by Alan Leighton and his wife Jenny. I entered and won the club’s Amateur Callers contest in 1977, this contest was judged by legendary Queensland caller Eric Wendell. In 1978, I joined the Royal Australian Navy and was immediately sent to junior recruit training in Western Australia. I danced most Saturday nights that year at a club called “White Gum Valley” in Fremantle. After this I had a long break from square dancing. After my naval career was over, in 1993, I started square dancing again at “Caboolture E.Z. Squares”. By the end of that year, I did my first (very bad) singing call.

I entered but didn’t win the QCA amateur callers contest in 1994. I started my first teaching class for “Caboolture E.Z. Squares” in early 1995. I called at Caboolture until the end of 2017. In 2001, “Rock ‘n’ Roll Squares” at Bald Hills came into being, this club continued for 4 years on the 2nd Friday of every Month.

During 2003 I was asked to be the club caller for a new club at Geebung. “Northside Promenaders” started in early 2004 and is still going strong today. This club moved to Zillmere in 2013 and kept the same name.

 

In late 2017, I took over the calling duties at “UpBeat Ch.a.o.s.” SD club at Deception Bay.

I have attended 14 and called at 13 Australian National Conventions - 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 & 2017. My first as a dancer only was 1978. I was the Assistant Venue Manager at the ANSDC Caloundra 2003, I was also the Program Manager at the 49th ANSDC Brisbane 2008. I’ve called at most Queensland State Conventions since 1995. I was Sound Manager at 8 of them. I’ve been a member of the Queensland Callers Association since 1994; I was Vice President in 1999 - 2000 and again in 2002 - 2003 and again from 2012 to present. I was also President of the Association in 2009 and 2010. I was a QCA Assistant Caller Training Officer from 2009 - 2017 I’ve been a Member of The Australian Callers Federation since 1994 and was an ACF board member from 2011 to 2017. I was the Chairman of the Committee organising the ACF Caller/Cuer Conference 2016. We had Paul Bristow (U.K.), Ken Ritucci (U.S.A) & Steve Turner (Aust.) presenting a 3 day conference. I was the ACF State Co-ordinator for Queensland from 2011 - 2017.

I’ve been a Callerlab Member since 2007. I am also a member of the Callerlab Mainstream & Plus Committees. I have received the Callerlab Quarter Century award and the ACF Silver Microphone award for 25 years of calling and service to the square dance activity.

I have attended numerous Caller Training sessions. I have attended most QCA training sessions since 1994 and have been involved in presenting QCA caller training sessions since 2004 up to the present. I have also presented 3 caller training sessions for the QCA in Cardwell, North Queensland.

I attended 6 x Brian Hotchkies 5-day caller’s schools (2003, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2013 & 2015) and helped with a Sight Resolution presentation in 2013. I have been privileged to be invited to call for the following clubs:- Summerland Larrikins - Lismore Logan City Square Dancers Inc. - Logan City Hervey Bay Dancers - Hervey Bay Heritage City Hoedowners - Maryborough Happy Hoedowners - Gladstone Rocky Twirlers - Rockhampton Salad Bowl Squares - Brisbane Gumdale Grand Sliders - Alexandra Hills Uniting Squares - Brisbane Sun Coasters - Buderim CbarC Dancers - Port MacQuarie Upbeat Chaos - Deception Bay (now my club)

Rambling 8’s - Holland Park Orange City SD & RD Club - Tauranga - N.Z. I was the first caller in Queensland to use CD’s as my principal music player and in June 2004, I was the first Queensland caller (as far as I am aware) to switch completely digital and use a laptop computer as my music player. I am also the pioneer in Australia, of using a USB hub for callers to present their music at combined functions. I have been a Caller now for nearly 29 years.

I have been lucky enough to record 80+ vocals for 27+ different square dance labels.

My very first was "When I'm 64" for Seven Seas (7C's 228) in January 2011, The latest will be “Those same eyes that always drove me Crazy” (Declan Nerney) on Knee Deep Melodies - late in 2023. I have also done a couple of Hoedown/Patter recordings.

There will be more new tunes to come.