39th CALLERLAB Convention
MILESTONE AWARD PRESENTATION
Presented by Elmer Sheffield
Once again it is my honor to present a Milestone Award. As you heard previously, this is CALLERLAB’s highest honor. You also heard the criteria for this award, and that the recipient must be approved by the Executive Committee. I have the privilege tonight of presenting this award to an individual that I feel meets this criteria.
He is a Charter Member of CALLERLAB, and has served on many committees. He is a Caller Coach Emeritus and has conducted many caller schools. He has been extremely instrumental in nurturing many beginning callers, myself included. He even had a short stint as a professional baseball player, but gave that up to pursue square dance calling. He and his wife were inducted into the State of Tennessee’s Square and Round Dance Hall of Fame, which was quite an honor. In the 1970s he wrote several square dance figures, two of which remain very popular today—Flutter Wheel and Reverse the Flutter. In the 1980s he formed one of the first vocal groups made up of square dance callers. They proved to be quite successful, entertaining for over 20 years. For 24 years he was employed by the State of Tennessee at the Great Valley Development Center for the Mentally Handicapped. He has done extensive work in this area, including working with assisted living and nursing homes. He still works for two senior citizen centers. In the 60s he was owner and producer of one of the most successful square dance labels in the business. This, of course, was in the day of small round black things called a record or vinyl. He still produces music occasionally, but throat problems have slowed him down. While operating his label, he helped many young callers jump start their careers.
I could go on and on about this man, his family and his accomplishments because we have been friends for over 40 years: but instead, it gives me great pleasure to present ALLERLAB’s Milestone Award to the owner of Red Boot Records, Mr. Don Williamson.