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Contents
Missouri
      Archives
      Histories
St. Louis Metro
      Archives
      Histories
Heart of America
      Histories
Blue District KSDA
      Histories
The History of Square
      Dancing in Missouri
Central District History
      From The "Central
      Missouri" Website
      By Judy Pottinger
Round Dance History
      From The "Central
      Missouri" Website
      By Judy Pottinger
Square Dance History
      From The "Central
      Missouri" Website
      By Judy Pottinger

Updated 12/15/12

Printable Copy  I

Chris Wildhagen

HASSDA: When did you learn to square dance?

Chris: I took lessons in 1960 with a group of other square dance brats (kids of adult dancers). We formed our own club called “The Little Doggies” of St. Joseph. I met Linda (his wife) at lessons, and we danced until I went into the Navy in 1966.

HASSDA: Did you go immediately back into dancing after getting out of the Navy?

Chris: In 1981 Linda, I and our two daughters and one dog moved back to St. Joe. My brother (Noel) called saying a former school mate of his was in town and was calling a square dance and thought it would be fun if we all went. I said “No, thanks;” Linda said “Yes,” so we went.

The caller friend of Noel’s wanted him to learn to call and loaned him a couple of records to practice with. Noel didn’t learn to call, but I did.

HASSDA: How did your career proceed from there?

Chris: 1983 was my first class. I organized my first club in 1984. I became the club caller for Riverbend Promenaders of Atchison, Kansas, in 1987. My St. Joe Club started from a large plus class that didn’t want to quit when lessons were complete. That was in 1988,and we are still going!

In 2003, I lost Linda to ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), and I quit square dancing and calling. Many caring dancers convinced me that I should get back into the activity. Now I am calling throughout the Midwest and teach at least two mainstream and one plus class each year.

HASSDA: What do you attribute your success as a caller to?

Chris: I attribute it to the influence of many great callers that I have had the opportunity to dance to. I like to think I offer a different style of calling with creative choreography. I personally enjoy many styles of music and impersonating my favorite singers from different genres.

From an Interview with Chris Wildhagen in the December 2012 HASSDA Newsletter.