Video Links


I promised to add links to a couple of websites where you can view dozens of old-time flat/foot, buck, and clog dancers.

This is the oldest video of old-time flatfooting/buckdancing that I have found – This silent film was recorded for Elizabeth Burchenal, the noted folk dance leader and researcher. It was on a reel of film labeled “Square Dancing in Southern Mountains 1919-1931” that also includes footage of southern Appalachian square dances.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybOn2kkAP5g&lc=UgxJXsf6_mPNeykwHiZ4AaABAg.8jFAfLTsXBG9BVmnJmFKFx&feature=em-comments&fbclid=IwAR2HBcLn77And2rnTPeEXaQAnxfqy8-SZJHQIe6yoUV35Qn2HUI1soHI43o

This video has old footage of Bascom Lamar Lunsford, the dancer is not identified.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqwsar3fStU

More video of Bascom filmed by David Hoffman, 1965. This is some of my favorite flatfooting/buckdancing – Bill McElreath – “knocking out a tune” as Bascom called it. Both Bascom and his friend Freda also dance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2WywwxWbvY&t=18s

This video will be moved to a new page with other videos listed below. This is some of the only footage of Willard Watson with audio. He and zydeco musician Bois Sec Ardoin are flatfooting to the fiddling of Clark Kessinger with Gene Meade on guitar! Willard will not face the camera – thinking it would be impolite to turn his back on the music! When Willard is dancing to “Chicken Reel” he does all of his barn-yard steps! This was filmed at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival at a huge mansion that was used to house the performers. Willard Watson at 1965 Newport Folk Festival

These are two more recent short videos of my mentor and one of my best friends ever – Robert Dotson – the source of the “Walking Step”!
Floating Dancer: The Story of Robert Dotson, the Walking Step & the Green Grass Cloggers    By Leanne E. Smith and M. Chad Smith
In Memory of Robert Dotson   By Rebecca Branson Jones

Here’s one that is a documentary by Mike Seeger and Ruth Pershing called “Talking Feet” filmed in 1983. I was lucky enough to be invited to participate in this historical film!  Talking Feet

Here is the link to Phil Jamison’s website – he videoed dozens of traditional percussive mountain dancers in 1993.  WNC Buckdancers, Flatfooters, and Charleston Dancers (1993)

Here are two links to the Green Grass Cloggers –

Website – https://www.greengrasscloggers.com/

Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/GreenGrassCloggers/

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