Bootscooters Strut Their Stuff at the Wildhorse Saloon
by Tex & Dixie
The date was March 27, 1999. The rendezvous point and designated time: The Old Country Store, Jackson, TN at 9:00 A.M. Who were these people descending in such large numbers upon the Old Country Store and why were they here? Bootscooters was their name and country and western dancing their game. These were dancers from the Memphis, TN area headed for Nashville, TN. Their mission at the Old Country Store: to fuel up for the long day and night of dancing and shopping that lay ahead.
This particular excursion was coordinated by Bill & Joyce Gary, the dance instructors for the Bootscooters. Bill & Joyce have been teaching country and western dancing in the Memphis, TN area for 5 years. Both are accredited dance instructors with the National Teachers Association for Country and Western Dancing. The couple sets up 2 to 3 trips to the Wildhorse Saloon each year taking care of the smallest details which allows the maximum enjoyment. After a hearty breakfast and perusal of the vast assortment of tiems for sale, the group piled into their cars and headed towards Music City.
Check in at the motel was a breeze as Joyce with all the finesse and precision of a dorm mother had assigned rooms to everyone. All we had to do was give our names and pick our room keys. Our rendezvous time for the Wildhorse Saloon is 1:00 P.M. when the first dance lesson is to be given.
|
As with last year, the dance instructor, Martin Moser , has sought dances unfamiliar to the Bootscooters for teaching. Bill & Joyce are directly behind Mark, who is in the foreground during one of his dance lessons. |
 |
Darlene (in red jeans) trades quips with Mark, the Wildhorse Dance instructor (not shown) to the delight of fellow Bootscooters. |
| This year the largest group of Bootscooters took to the floor at the Wildhorse. |
 |
 |
Wearing Bootscooter tee shirts designed by Bill & Joyce, it was an awesome sight to see all 74 of us steppin', stompin', twirling and scootin' our boots in unison. |
| From the standard two-step, waltz, and swing to the Carribbean Cadance, Four Score, Renegade and M&M Stroll, couples demonstrated their expertise and precision in these partner dances. In the line dance arena favorites such as the Idaho, Bootleg, Bootscooting Boogie, and Roadrunner were mixed with newer dances such as Por Ti Se Rey, Cinco de Mayo, Wrangler Jeans and Kelly's Eyes. |  |
At 7:45 P.M. we tore ourselves away to eat supper at The Spaghetti Factory. It is nothing short of miraculous that Joyce was able to arrange (and pull off) a full meal (including desert) for 68 people in an hour. Larry Logan presented Bill & Joyce with a token of our heart felt appreciation for all the hard work they put into making the trip such a success.
After dinner the group enjoyed more dancing and shopping.
Sunday saw us up early for more shopping as we scouted out bargains galore in the western stores. A great time of fun and fellowship was had by all. Needless to say, we are looking forward to our next trip!
