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Rick Hampton
30 years of Calling in a Nutshell
In my career I have called thousands of dances/ workshops/ classes/ festivals and One Night parties  Here is some of my life story  and a  history of my Square Dance calling career. A list of groups I've worked for is coming soon. Who knows this might help you at square dance Trivial Pursuit someday. Clubs/Festivals/Groups Etc.  that are still active are in Yellow and those with a web presence have a link. 

1973-I took a beginners class at Village Squares in Kingsburg Ca (Bob Hulsey was the caller)....the rest is history.
1974-I attended my 1st festival-Krossroads Squarama -Fresno (now Tulare) Ca.  and afterwards Bob Hulsey gave me 2 singing calls to learn-I called my first tip shortly there after and My 1st One Party at a church retreat in Lake Chelan Washington I attended with my Mom - (Evelyn Hampton)
1975-76 Continued calling quite a few One night parties and guest tips then the event that started my career as a "real" caller occurred- at the Traveling Pioneers anniversary dance-(Fresno) I found myself in a unique situation- The caller (Jessie Sousa) had a medical emergency and after the 1st tip I was asked to finish the dance-I did and it appears it went well( It had to I was too scared to screw up) After that dance  I was hired to be the 1st club caller of the newly formed Madera Mixers by Leonard and Dorothy Row (Yep the same couple who went on to Round Dance Fame)-another notable name that came from this club was Eldon and Frances Drury (also of Round Dance Fame) I also called at my 1st national convention in June 1976. This year was a wild one as Mom passed away, I became  the club caller for  Madera as well as the Chowchilla Tommyhawk Twirlers and the Wasco Rosebuds and Beaus, I  finished my sophomore year of High School and met the love of my life at the Starliters teen club-(Lynn Bryant  A.K.A Lynn Hampton )
1977-2004 A lot has happened, I graduated from High School, Lynn and I were married, My dad (Jim Hampton) passed away.  Jay Henderson and I formed Fine Tune Records (Now owned by Rick and Rod Shuping). Lynn and I became parents in  88 and 90. We had 2 great kids (Jessica and Cassie), I taught quite a few Callers School during this time and turned  out a few "real" callers- I did lose my best student, best friend, and protégé who was well on his way to a fabulous calling career-Steve Amundson in a bizarre work accident. I was hit harder by Steve's death than I realized at the time-I kept calling and working in Radio but I had more troubles with this and other life issues than I realized. While these were not  apparent to me (They sure were to those around me) resulting in some of my major life  screw-ups that almost cost me a family and career. Fortunately  thanks to GOD, Lynn and other friends I came through these issues, humbler but  wiser-and now life is Very Good!- I look forward to 30 more years of living, loving, calling and ?? 

A list of some of the Clubs and Festivals I've had the privilege to call for over the years. 
I'm doing these from memory so I've left out many-remind me click Sadly many of these formerly mighty groups have folded over the years but some are alive and well-can you find your club or local Festival? (Clubs/Festivals still active are in Yellow and those with a web presence have a link-Underlined)

Clubs I was / Is Club Caller
Madera Mixers, Chowchilla TommyHawk Twirlers, Reedley Promenaders,
Reedley Senior Squares, Dinuba Mates & Dates
Wasco Rosebuds & Beaus, Bakersfield BnB's/Swinging Singles, Fine Dancers, Helms Project Dancers
Selma Squares, Swinging Stars, Sharpshooters ,
Skirts &Flirts, Sequoia Squares, Joaquin Squares, Whirlaways, Mountain Squares

A few of the many Festivals I've called for:
National Convention, California State Convention, Squarama,
  Bakersfield Fiesta, California Singles Convention, Summer Cooler,
Harvest Hoedown, Wing Ding, Santa Maria Square Affair, Victorville Fall Festival, Monterey Festival,
San Jose Jubilee , Rhythm Records Reno Fest