3rd CALLERLAB Convention 
Milestone Award
One of the first to be honored with this award, Al, originally of Dansbury, Connecticut, is descendent of New England pioneering famers and comes from a family of “Calling Brundages” He started his own calling career in 1934 as a 4-H project and before long it became his full time profession, Al taught short courses for square dancing at Connecticut University in 1937. After graduating from the University of Maine he built and operated the “Country Barn” in Stepney, Connecticut, a most successful center of square dance.
How many callers today are able to call with equal ability the latest singing call or patter call combination and then turn around and deliver, with a nostalgic flavor, dances reminiscent of the late 1930’s and 1940’s? Al is one of those whose experience successfully bridged the period from the traditional square dance era before microphones, sounds systems, and record accompaniment to the contemporary phase. Before his semi-retirement Al was one of the most sought-after callers for festivals and dance vacations while at the same time sponsoring home club and class programs and conducting callers schools and clinics. He has dedicated many of his efforts to the development of new teaching and calling talent and is an accredited CALLERLAB Caller-Coach.
A member of the Square Dance Hall of Fame, Al is a charter member of CALLERLAB and served on its Board Of Governors. Working with his wife, Bea, he has developed an energetic program of tours of square dancers and in the past 30 years has traveled to more the 35 countries overseas. One of the first to introduce western style square dancing in New England, Al has co-authored a textbook on contra dancing, written a number of articles for different publications, produced stage shows for Samuel Goldwyn, co-produced monthly caller note service, and recorded on his own label as well as on several others. A true veteran in the field, Al is a member of the New England Square Dance Hall of Fame and had brought much pleasure to thousands of square dancers.