History of Blue Star Square Dance Music

By Buddy Weaver (5/14)

Norman and Nadine Merrbach,
founders of Blue Star Records

"The Texans" band for Blue Star, 1964

In April 1956, Norman and Nadine Merrbach released Blue Star 1501, "NEW BROOM" and "BLUE STAR HOEDOWN", a two-sided hoedown on 78-RPM shellac record. This was the start of what would become the largest and longest running square dance recording company in the world.

The first caller to record for Blue Star was ANDY ANDRUS, one of the biggest name callers from Texas, calling "CINDY BALANCE". A little-known caller from Texas made his recording debut in 1958 with "THE AUCTIONEER" — MARSHALL FLIPPO would go on to record over 100 singles and numerous albums for Blue Star, making him a house-hold name.

In 1956, the Merrbachs acquire BOGAN RECORDS. Between 1956 and 1997, a total of 197 records are released on BOGAN.

In 1958, LORE RECORDS is acquired and through 1986, record releases total 236

In 1959, the Merrbachs form SWINGING SQUARE RECORDS.

ROCKIN’ A RECORDS was formed in 1963

Music for the Merrbach record labels was played by "EARL AND HIS HOEDOWNERS", which was Earl Caruthers - a member of Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys. Music was also done by "THE TEXANS", pictured at right while playing for the Blue Star Jubilee in Houston, Texas.

Johnny Creel (right)
with Norm and Nadine Merrbach

Many nationally-known callers made their recording debut on a Merrbach record label. Here are a few:

• KEN BOWER
• WADE DRIVER
• MIKE SIKORSKY
• JOHNNY CREEL (pictured at left)
• LEE KOPMAN
• BOB FISK
• RED BATES
• JOHNNIE WYKOFF

By the mid-sixties, the signature sound of Merrbach labels was provided by Dick Shannon, dance band leader from Houston. Playing as "THE SHANNONEIRS" and "RHYTHMAIRES", the symphony musicians made solid square dance gold.

In 1971, the biggest name in calling was FRANK LANE, and to get him to join the Merrbach company, a special record label is created, named for the Lanes’ famous square dance get-away in Estes Park, Colorado - DANCE RANCH RECORDS. In 2002, DANCE RANCH becomes the first all-digital music label, releasing square dance singing calls and hoedowns on CD.

The BEE-SHARP RECORD label is formed and features the one-and-only DAVE TAYLOR in a series of workshop patter records.

The last new label formed under Norm Merrbach was PETTICOAT PATTER in 1982. To this day, it is the only record label with music recorded for women callers and featuring only ladies on the vocals.

Jerry Helt & Johnnie Wykoff
1974

JOHNNIE and STAR WYKOFF become owner/producers of all the Merrbach labels in 1987. Under the Wykoffs, the new music sound comes from a Houston band named "STELLAR UNIT". Their signature release is "I FOUND A NEW BABY" - the largest selling release for all the Blue Star family of labels.

BOB CAT RECORDS is acquired by the Wykoffs around 1990.

By 1996, the Wykoffs begin releasing music on the brand new format - MP3. They are one of the first to enter the digital market.

In 2002, the Blue Star family of labels is sold to BUDDY and DEBRA WEAVER. The HI HAT RECORD company and its subsidiary labels is also acquired by the Weavers and by 2004 the sum of all music owned makes this the largest square dance music company in the world.

A historic moment in the square dance music industry occurs in 2005, when Blue Star records becomes the only label to release its 1,000 record. Appropriately, MARSHALL FLIPPO records the vocal for "BLUE BLUE DAY" on Blue Star 2501.

The new sound of Blue Star Music is energetic with a modern dance beat while offering songs that have a positive message. By 2012, new classics have been created with "BEAUTIFUL SUNDAY", "LAST CHRISTMAS", and "JUST THE WAY YOU ARE".

In 2013, a first-of-its-kind method of extracting music from vinyl records is used by Buddy Weaver. The re-mastered music is available as MP3 files for a new generation of square dance callers who only use computers for playing music. The vinyl age is over. Embracing evolution, Blue Star and Hi Hat music became the first square dance music labels to sell music through their own web site. The largest square dance music company in the world blends classic square dance with a contemporary sound.