COUNTRY DANCERS !!!

Whomp, here it is! An album with 10 different dances to 10 different songs, done by 10 different choreographers. There is one song without a dance so you can create your own and send it to Rick! With choreographers such as Max Perry, Jo Thompson, Parry Spence, Donna Wasnick, Deb Crew, Dan Morrison, Denny Hengen, Johnny Montana, Scott & Deborah Blevins and, of course, the "Lovely" Linda and "Hillbilly" something or other, can you imagine how much fun it can be to teach 10 different dances off of one album?

Max's dance, "Bad Heart Day", has such great ATTITUDE that we might call it the MAXITUDE! Jo Thompson was as lovely and smooth as ever teaching her dance, "True Blue" to "You're All I Need". A whole new style was created for the dance "Stylin" by the very Stylish Parry Spence. And if you're a Coca-Cola lover, try the "Real Thing" by the very real, talented, and beautiful Donna Wasnick. Deb Crew & Dan Morrison present two Canadian Dances, "Tippe-Toes" and "Mixed Messages" that represent their homeland very well. We had a great deal of fun tippe-toeing out behind Deb and scaring her when she was getting ready to teach! Denny Hengen created a dance called "Crazy Thing". I don't know if it was named after Rick's song, "The Craziest Thing", or if It was named after Denny himself! Only his hairdresser knows for sure! Now if you want something with a country flair, what could be better than Johnny Montana teaching "Make Me An Offer".

Johnny is the only one teaching who looks like a cowboy! Can you do body rolls or do you just enjoy watching them? Scott and Deborah Blevins demonstrate "Get Hot!" to "Get Hot Or Go Home!", the title cut on the album. In my opinion, Scott and Deborah are two of the best young choreographers in the world! And last but not least, "Rattlesnake Shake" by the "Lovely" Linda and the guy with the big hat, was created to have fun and to get a little crazy with. The video of the fun we had filming this dance with Beaky and a blow-up rattlesnake will make you laugh until you shake, the "Rattlesnake Shake" that is!

We filmed the video at Kawliga's in Chicago. The gang there treated us like Kings, even brought a cook in to cook for us! A lot of unusual objects were there: carved figures, items with antlers that didn't belong, etc. I felt right at home! I sent Jimmy a rubber chicken though, because I didn't see one anywhere. After the video, we visited Whiskey River for a party that was hosted by this big guy, named "JOHN", and his better half Laura! John is a stunt man and has promised me a hat, so if you see him, remind him of that please! Rick Tippe was introduced to the crowd and Donna Wasnick taught the "REAL THING" (this is my pick for cute, easy dance of the year), and the "Lovely" Linda and I taught them how to shake to the "Rattlesnake Shake"! A fun time was had by all! The next day, I got to visit a new club called the Rockin'' Armadillo, which will be DJ'd and instructed by the very talented and phenomenal Scott " roll his hips" Blevins!

I was going to write a lot about RickTippe, his heritage in country music, the fact his dad was a country artist and about the acts he has performed or opened for but I'm not going to do that. Everybody else will do that! Instead, I'm going to tell you about BONNIE, his devoted wife, who has worked so hard on this project. While Rick's on the road performing, she's at home "takin' care of business". She understands the music industry and what needs to be done and is doing a lot of work without being in the limelight. So here is a 2-million candle powered spotlight on you BONNIE, from all of the country dancers out there saying "Thanks" for helping us make a difference.

Have fun out there dancing, and listen for Rick Tippe's music. You'll be hearing it soon! And don't let the "Rattlesnake Shake" bite ya in the backside!