Over ten years ago at the Baltimore convention I met Debby Higginbotham. She seemed sincerely excited when I said I would visit her class in Southern Pines, NC.
I never forgot Debby over the years, but every time in North Carolina my work always brought me to the Triad area, Raleigh/ Durham, or Charlotte. Southern Pines was always an hour off my route of travel.
I have a new attitude in 2011. I’ll be traveling off my route to make a class, and I’ll be waiting around on classes that I want to visit. Right now I am at McDonalds waiting on a 5:30 with Lisa in Morrisville, NC. I have 3 ½ hours to wait.
Daily I have driving legalities to address; but until I tire, I’ll be working harder to get to classes. In November, I put large Jazzercise pictures all over my office walls to signal to the people in the office that I have a life too; and that I was going to start giving it an equal precedence with the dedication I give to company business.
Here is my round about compliment to Debby.
Last year a friend invited me to the National Square Dance Convention in Louisville, KY. I went as a spectator. I don’t know Square dance calls, and I am never home long enough to attend classes to learn them. Square dancers are grouchy people if you don’t know the calls. It is not something that one can jump into on the fly and figure out, without agitating little ladies in puffy skirts.
I heard that there would be some incredible singing callers present at the convention; but when I first arrived, I was horrified to hear some of the singing callers. ---But ----I was told, “Just wait.” And sure enough, when the top guns took their turn, I was absolutely fascinated with their singing and calling talent. It was paining me to sit and watch. I wanted to get onto the floor and show the dancers how to do it “Jim style”. (As I understand, the callers don’t make any money at the National Conventions.) I wanted to scold the dancers. Some of the callers were incredible. They needed to be making loads of cash for their talents.
Debby is a high caliber, top gun Jazzercise singing caller. Debby just doesn’t just sing with the music. She calls with the music. My ears perked up when she sang, “And bring it up and back”, matching the music perfectly.
I am not one to evaluate singing talent. But Debby’s voice can go so low while maintaining such a gorgeous texture. She can then follow up, in the same song, by bringing her voice up to a higher octave. Debby said she loves Imelda May. But last night it was Debby H. That met her Jazzercise class at the moon.
Debby delivered two different sets in two hours with a wide variety of music. Debby, you are amazing, “Just the way you are”. Sing it again, but don’t leave us for puffy skirts and petticoats. I need to experience more of your style of movement calling!!
Take a look at Debby’s class (picture posted on wall). We were all smiles. Debby has a pencil drawing of Frank Sinatra on the wall for her morning class to ogle over. I did not sing, but I tried to play a little “dancing Frank” for the evening class.
Debby has a great center with entry doors to the extra-large dance floor on the left and right of the reception foyer. I can’t remember everybody’s name, but Janet’s tilted head and raised left hand in the back row sums my feelings about the visit. It was a joyful time. Charlene, it looks like I was flirting with you on the dance floor. Dick looked like a happy man. Debby, you must sing him to sleep.
Great times in Southern Pines!!
I never forgot Debby over the years, but every time in North Carolina my work always brought me to the Triad area, Raleigh/ Durham, or Charlotte. Southern Pines was always an hour off my route of travel.
I have a new attitude in 2011. I’ll be traveling off my route to make a class, and I’ll be waiting around on classes that I want to visit. Right now I am at McDonalds waiting on a 5:30 with Lisa in Morrisville, NC. I have 3 ½ hours to wait.
Daily I have driving legalities to address; but until I tire, I’ll be working harder to get to classes. In November, I put large Jazzercise pictures all over my office walls to signal to the people in the office that I have a life too; and that I was going to start giving it an equal precedence with the dedication I give to company business.
Here is my round about compliment to Debby.
Last year a friend invited me to the National Square Dance Convention in Louisville, KY. I went as a spectator. I don’t know Square dance calls, and I am never home long enough to attend classes to learn them. Square dancers are grouchy people if you don’t know the calls. It is not something that one can jump into on the fly and figure out, without agitating little ladies in puffy skirts.
I heard that there would be some incredible singing callers present at the convention; but when I first arrived, I was horrified to hear some of the singing callers. ---But ----I was told, “Just wait.” And sure enough, when the top guns took their turn, I was absolutely fascinated with their singing and calling talent. It was paining me to sit and watch. I wanted to get onto the floor and show the dancers how to do it “Jim style”. (As I understand, the callers don’t make any money at the National Conventions.) I wanted to scold the dancers. Some of the callers were incredible. They needed to be making loads of cash for their talents.
Debby is a high caliber, top gun Jazzercise singing caller. Debby just doesn’t just sing with the music. She calls with the music. My ears perked up when she sang, “And bring it up and back”, matching the music perfectly.
I am not one to evaluate singing talent. But Debby’s voice can go so low while maintaining such a gorgeous texture. She can then follow up, in the same song, by bringing her voice up to a higher octave. Debby said she loves Imelda May. But last night it was Debby H. That met her Jazzercise class at the moon.
Debby delivered two different sets in two hours with a wide variety of music. Debby, you are amazing, “Just the way you are”. Sing it again, but don’t leave us for puffy skirts and petticoats. I need to experience more of your style of movement calling!!
Take a look at Debby’s class (picture posted on wall). We were all smiles. Debby has a pencil drawing of Frank Sinatra on the wall for her morning class to ogle over. I did not sing, but I tried to play a little “dancing Frank” for the evening class.
Debby has a great center with entry doors to the extra-large dance floor on the left and right of the reception foyer. I can’t remember everybody’s name, but Janet’s tilted head and raised left hand in the back row sums my feelings about the visit. It was a joyful time. Charlene, it looks like I was flirting with you on the dance floor. Dick looked like a happy man. Debby, you must sing him to sleep.
Great times in Southern Pines!!
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