2006 – Johnny & Barbara Wedge (MA)

Square Dance Caller & Teacher

Johnny Wedge started square dancing in 1958 with the Friendly Folks Square Dance Club of San Antonio, Texas. He enjoyed it so much that he immediately went to caller’s school with Marshall Flippo and C.O. Guest and graduated in 1959.

As a member of the US Air Force, Johnny was subject to numerous assignment changes but still had time to form the Friendly Folks of Chelsea, MA Square Dance Club in 1962 and was their caller until 1964.

Johnny and Barbara were married on November 14, 1964, and wouldn’t you know, immediately transferred back to Texas. Not to give up dancing, they immediately joined the Dandy Dancers or Amarillo.

After his discharge from the Air Force, Johnny and Barbara returned to Massachusetts where they formed the Shufflin’ Shoes of Billerica in 1969 and was their club caller for 19 years. Additionally, Johnny is the current club caller for the Baldwin Apples of Woburn and has been for approximately 25 years. He also was the class and workshop teacher for the Yankee Twirlers for 6 years, the club caller for the Lancers Square Dance Club of Salem for 12 years and the class and workshop teacher for the Skirts and Flirts of Wilmington for 17 years.

Johnny and Barbara, with all of their commitments, found time to be Presidents of the Tri-State Callers Association from 1991 and 1992, and the Chairman of the New England Council of Callers Associations in 1995 and 1996. Currently, Johnny and Barbara are the Chairman of the CO-Operation Committee.

It is a privilege to recognize their many years of devoted work on behalf of the square and round dance movement, by inducting them into the Square Dance Foundation of NE Hall of Fame.