Jerry learned to square dance with his parents in the fall of 1965, as a senior in high school. He started calling in the spring of 1966, and for the next 20 years, was the club caller for a number of clubs in northeast Nebraska. He also traveled as much as his farming operation would allow. The spring of 1986 brought with it the decision to devote full time to calling square dances. The year, 2026, will mark his 60th year of calling. He was honored to be inducted into the Nebraska Caller and Cuer Hall of Fame at the NebraskaState Festival in September of 2018. An accredited member of CALLERLAB since 1976, Jerry has served as chairman of both the Rural Area Considerations Committee, and the CALLERLAB Foundation. He was a member of the Board of Governors for twelve years, serving on the Executive Committee six of those years. He was elected Chairman of the Board, and served in that capacity for two years, 1997 and 1998. He retired from the Board of Governors in 2004. However, he remains active by continuing to serve on two committees within the organization. Jerry firmly believes in the development of new callers, and the continuing education of established callers. He and Jim Mayo are co-authors of a book on choreography called, "Standard Choreography." Designed with the newer caller in mind, it provides examples of danceable choreography from standard formations to assist in teaching new dancers. An Accredited CALLERLAB coach since 1991, Jerry has been on the staff of various caller schools and seminars around the country. He owns and conducts two schools each year. The Heart of America Caller's School, established in 1989, and is held in the central part of the country. He has been a staff member of the Cascade Caller's School in Cle Elum, WA since 1991. Due to the closing of the campground in Cle Elum, that school has been moved to the Yellowrock Campground in Lolo, MT. It is now called the Big Sky Caller's School. During the winter months, Jerry makes his home in Mesa, Arizona where he is the resident caller for Mesa Spirit and Silveridge RV Resort Parks. While there, he maintains a complete program of square dancing from Beginners through A-2. Jerry has recorded for Chinook, Global, Riverboat, Hoedowner, Solid Gold, and Crown Records. He currently records for the Hi Hat label of San Diego, CA. He has been featured caller at many festivals and weekends around the country. Traveling extensively during the summer months, he thoroughly enjoys the traveling side of calling and the many friends he has made throughout the activity. He takes special pride in calling smooth, flowing choreography with the basic philosophy that.... "SQUARE DANCING SHOULD BE FUN."
Like most caller's this caller began as a dancer, but with many years of playing guitar and banjo, his love for music and love for square dancing led him to the stage. In short time he became a very accomplished caller calling as club caller and instructor for multiple clubs. After the untimely passing of his first wife, he continued calling and eventually met, fell in love with, and married his new wife. He continued to expand his calling footprint and together they became well recognized leaders in the square dance activity. They have served multiple years on both the Nebraska and Omaha Caller's Association Boards in several positions, likely 15 or more for each organization. He has served as the Vice Chairman of the CALLERLAB Mainstream Committee and on multiple CALLERLAB Committees for several years. They served as Vice Chairman of Square Dancing for the National Square Dance Convention in Des Moines. He helped introduce the concept of Multi-Cycle square dance lessons to the Omaha area. And while not a CALLERLAB Accredited Caller Coach, he has helped mentor many callers at the start of their calling careers. The participation in the multi-cycle lesson program between Swinging Squares, Merry Mixers and Heartland Singles provided the financial stability each club needed and continued to bring new dancers into the clubs. Without that program and them accepting full financial responsibility for it, each club would have needed to cover approximately $500 to $750 in net expense per year to conduct lessons, resulting in either no lessons, or bankruptcy. This program alone has sustained the dancer population in the Omaha Area far better than other areas of the country. Anyone who knows the business of Square Dance Calling knows there is often no profit at all derived from being a square dance caller. He has maintained a large schedule of dances and lessons annually for many years. Efforts like conducting lessons for whatever is left after the rent is paid is an example of giving up profit for the betterment of the activity. Anyone who knows them knows that when they see a need, be it someone to serve in an officer position, someone to volunteer for committee work, etc., they are quick to raise their hands to help. Many callers over the years have asked for help with equipment, records, training, software usage and so on. They are always willing to help in any way they can. Their influence is strong in Nebraska but carries well beyond our borders. Many callers, caller associations and dance organizations across the Midwest have asked for their input on several topics. They have done many presentations at conventions and caller organizations to help educate others about square dancer recruitment, club leadership and calling skills. He has called now in well over half the states in our country and continues to travel and keep a robust calling schedule, a testament to his ability to call and entertain the dancers, and they continue to serve the greater square dance activity through their unselfish leadership.
Mike Hogan is from La Vista, Nebraska where he lives with his wife Denise. They have two children, Rachel age 27, a Registered Nurse and Ryan age 24, a 2LT U.S. Army. Mike was forced by his parents to take square dance lessons in 1975. At the time Mike sang in two groups at school and played guitar and saxophone. Mike instantly wanted to learn to call and called his first tip two days before graduating from Mainstream lesson in early 1976 at age 13. Since then, he has been a club caller for several clubs in the Omaha area including youth, mainstream and plus clubs. He has been the club caller for the same club in Omaha for the past 30 years. Mike has called in 34 states, travels regularly and has been featured at manyfestivals, weekends, and state conventions. In addition, Mike has called and managed the Okoboji Spring Fling at Lake Okoboji, Iowa for the past 35 years. Mike is also on the staff at the Summer Weekend Getaway weekend in Johnson, Nebraska, the Memorial Day Weekend in Omaha, Nebraska and the Rendezvous in the Rockies weekend in Castle Rock, Colorado. Mike teaches four square dance classes each year using a multi cycle program. This program has run without a stop for 21 years. Mike joined CALLERLAB in 1986 and has served as Vice Chairman or Chairman of the Marketing and RPM Committees for 21 years. Mike is currently serving his sixth year on the CALLERLAB Board of Governors and will serve this year on the Executive Committee. Mike has been an education panelist and presenter at eleven CALLERLAB and eight National Square Dance Conventions, assisted in writing the Phoenix Plan, creating the Add A Buck program and the Winning Way's recruitment success series. Mike wrote a comprehensive square dance marketing plan for CALLERLAB that was adopted by the ARTS in 2006 and ROUNDALAB in 2007, and created Square Dance Omaha, a local organization to promote square dancing in the Omaha area. Mike has conducted caller clinics, leadership and marketing seminars in ten states. Mike records for the Hi Hat and Blue Star record label. His recordings include Washington Square, Sea of Heartbreak, I Saw the Light, Do Wah Diddy, Save the Last Dance for Me, Chapel of Love, Nothin' but a Good Time, Don't Blame It All On Me, Green Green, and Blue Moon. Mike calls Basics through A2 and cue's square dance level rounds. Mike is an entertainer who combines smooth and interesting choreography, with outstanding vocal talents. Mike was one of five finalists in 2012 for CALLERLAB'S Ozzie Award for most entertaining caller. Whether it's calling a dance, teaching new dancers, caller/leader education, or promoting square dancing, Mike believes he has a responsibility to be the best entertainer, educator and leader he can be. Besides calling, Mike has worked the past 27 years in marketing, sales and management, including managing a full-service advertising agency, and a digital marketing company. Most of Mike's career has been spent in radio. Mike's education is in accounting and started in radio as the Business Manager for WOW AM/FM in Omaha, owned by Great Empire Broadcasting in Wichita, Kansas. Mike moved into sales in 1999 when the stations were purchased by Journal Broadcast Group and worked for Journal until 2011. In 2012, Mike worked as the General Manager for Rutledge Integrated Marketing and Square One Digital Services. Today, Mike works as a Market President for iHeart Media, the world's largest media company.
Mitchell Thompson comes from a family with an extensive background in square dancing, so it was only natural for him to get involved. He did so by learning to square dance and joining the Rocky Mountain Dancers performance group at the young age of 13. He enjoyed squares, but it wasn’t long before he discovered that his real passion was for rounds. Under the tutelage of John Herr, he learned to cue. Two short years later, in 2005, he became a member of Roundalab and started both cueing dances and teaching round dance classes. He loved it and has been doing it ever since. In a short time he became one of the prominent cuers in the Denver area. He now cues for over 10 clubs across Colorado and teaches both group and private lessons on a regular basis. He teaches all levels of round dance, but particularly enjoys teaching beginning rounds because he loves being able to bring new people into such a great activity. He has also choreographed several dances and taught his own choreography at both state and national conventions. He met his dance partner, Chelsea, at his first national convention: Denver, CO 2004. In 2013, they started teaching together and really bonded over their passion for dance. They were married in November of 2017. They dance phase II-VI and have recently gotten involved in social ballroom dancing. They look forward to seeing you on the dance floor!