Can a legend be forgotten in five years? Can a square dance legend’s name be erased from the memory of dancers? Only if we let that happen, and I will not let it happen as long as I can sit at a computer and type!
What attributes identified this legend, Marshall Flippo to me?
A Larger Legend than Square Dancing
For one thing, when we met face-to-face the first time in Tucson, Arizona on October 27, 2017, Flippo spoke of his family then immediately told me about quitting school his senior year and joining the Navy at seventeen. His Navy career spanned four years in the South Pacific. After hearing his vivid description about the end of the war and all his experiences, I realized he had given the reader in this book a sizable birds’ eye view of what happened.
Texan Twang
Because I knew him later in life, his raspy Texan twang identified Flippo to me. When I wrote the book, I tried to capture his language for the reader because it certainly added a flair to the telling. Listening to his earlier recordings, Flippo had a clear, identifiable voice.
Sense of Humor
Often at a dance when we visited him, I enjoyed his outlandish sense of humor. In fact, when I was writing his biography, I can’t tell you how many people told me their favorite “Flippo Story,” and often it included humor.
While researching his biography, we only met face-to-face twice. I had forty hours of recorded interviews with Flippo. Often “our date” was on Tuesday at 1:00 PM. Lin, my husband, has said he knew I was talking to Flippo because of the laughter.
In fact, he wanted to start his book with a variety of different pieces. We finalized on a tribute to those who had helped him get started with his calling—and then his dirty joke a caller’s wife told him. When he shared it with me, Flippo chuckled and said, “Now you clean it up so we can add to the book.” So, I did!
This Legend Loved After Parties
If you attended any After Party at a dance festival where Flippo called, you experienced another demonstration of his sense of humor—hilarious skits! He loved to take on a persona and play it up to the max! You can see it in the following pictures:
Here’s a link to a trailer of his skits: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8u90uFCL4w
One of my favorite song he pantomimed was “I Don’t Look Good Naked Anymore.” How hilarious and fun!
Flippo’s Calling Expertise
Looking back over his many recordings, his amazing choreography and calling entertained thousands of dancers. When I was writing the book, I shared a chapter with my writing group one Monday. Marty, an astute writer asked, “Does Flippo do his own choreography?”
Shocked, I sat for a moment and replied, “I have no idea.” Flip (a nickname for him) and I had our weekly interview date on Tuesday, so I asked him the next day. This opened up a gigantic discussion, and he told me how he choreographed “The Auctioneer,” his premiere hit. He spoke with enthusiasm and joy! It was quite a feat—want to know how he did it? His choreography became a whole chapter, Chapter 20—Flippo’s Choreography.
Listen to a sample of The Auctioneer!
After all his involvement in CALLERLAB, he received six awards for his calling and participation in this organization he helped start!
So, have you forgotten him? Has this legend died in your area? Your square dance club?
Released the book in 2020—the Pandemic Hit
Before the pandemic, I had lots of pre-orders for the book, Just Another Square Dance Caller: Authorized Biography of Marshall Flippo, but square dancing stopped in 2020. Festivals were canceled—places I planned on selling his book—Indio, California. CALLERLAB convention canceled
In 2021, specifically, I thought our festival in Albuquerque, Hot August Nights, was a go, so I loaded up on both formats—hardbacks and paperbacks. BUT IT WAS CANCELED! So, I ended up with surplus inventory!
A Legend Forgotten – 2023
In 2023, I went to the CALLERLAB convention in Reno, Nevada to sell his biography. I can’t tell you how many younger callers when asked if they knew Flippo, said, “No, who was he?”
Because Darryl Lipscomb helped at a booth next to mine, he retold a sad conversation with Flippo after he retired. Flippo told Darryl that once he retired, dancers and callers would forget him in a short time, three or four years. He retired in 2016. By 2023, it had happened. Therefore, I sold very few books there, so disappointing!
A Legend Still Forgotten – 2024
Being the eternal optimist, I returned to the CALLERLAB convention in Dallas, Texas the next year. Okay, Texas was Flippo’s home state, so come on—wouldn’t he still be known. Yes, more people knew him there, but still a vast majority had no interest in him, his book or the history this book chronicles.
What About 2024 and 2025?
Sadly, I have put out several major sales on his book over the last two years, and the response has been stunning—no sales! Some people buy his book on Amazon, but I’m talking about the copies I have.
So, here I am continuing to honor Flippo. When we started this project, he had one major request, “Don’t make me a hero!” This humble stance is exactly who he was! He never saw his position in the square dance world of mentoring many of our fine callers today. When the CALLERLAB began, Flippo was one of the original eleven, and he repeatedly supported the organization his whole career. Also, he began calling in the heyday of square dancing and continued into his late 80s, moving from live music, to recorded music to using a computer! So, this biography stands as a history book, too.
Finally,
If you haven’t bought a hardback or paperback copy of his biography, now is the time. If you already have a copy, how about buying one for a friend. I have a special offer going on right now—
Got a Friend Who’d Love Marshall Flippo’s Story?
If you already know how captivating Just Another Square Dance Caller is, here’s your chance to share that experience! I have a limited surplus of Marshall Flippo’s authorized biography, and I’m offering the first 10 buyers an exclusive deal:
✓ 25% OFF both hardback and paperback editions
✓ FREE SWAG included with your order
✓ Perfect gift for square dance enthusiasts, music lovers, or anyone who appreciates American folk traditions
Whether it’s for a dance partner, family member, or friend who’d appreciate Marshall’s incredible journey, this is your opportunity to spread the story at a significant discount.
Limited to first 10 orders only. Easy payment through PayPal or Square.
Ready to share Marshall’s legacy? [Order now at laradasbooks.com or contact me at larada@laradasbooks.com before these discounted copies are gone!
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