Died Mar. 19, 2007. Bruce Johnson recorded on MacGregor, Windsor, and Pulse labels and had several
clubs including the Taws 'n' Paws, and Fairs & Squares in the Santa Barbara area, the Carpinteria Cartwheelers and the Rip & Snort Club in North Hollywood. He was in demand for calling square dances all over the country. He appeared as the caller in a square dance scene in the movie
"Bound for Glory".
SIO's Article: It was just 20 years ago this July, on a balmy summer evening, that a
young caller recently out of the Navy hesitantly climbed five wooden steps,
squeezed his way between fiddler and bass player and stood nervously
beside the dignified, grey haired gentleman who addressed the crowd of
more than 50,000. Words were always easy for Lloyd "Pappy" Shaw and
this evening when he introduced the timid young caller the huge audience
stood hushed. Finally the words of the introduction were almost completed
and as Shaw's voice rose you could sense the excitement in the crowd.
'C . . . and now, ladies and gentlemen, it's with great pleasure that I bring
you your next caller, a young man who is doing an outstanding job and whom I predict
will go far in this world of square dancing, Bruce Johnson!" In the explosion of applause
Bruce moved up to the microphone, signaled the piano player and delivered a long to
be remembered rendition of "Alabama Jubilee."
This was not the beginning but it was an early episode not to be forgotten in the
life of our cover caller. Since that date back in 1950 Bruce has called in virtually every
state, in most Canadian provinces, in Japan and the Philippines, in Germany and other
countries overseas. His records on Windsor, MacGregor, and now on his own label,
Pulse, have brought the Johnson personality into many square dance halls throughout
the world. Bruce's special brand of calling has stimulated the interest of many young
callers and his callers institutes throughout the years have encouraged many newcomers
to become sturdy practitioners of the art of calling. It is with pleasure, therefore that we
reproduce the Gene Anthony original of Bruce Johnson on our cover and welcome
Bruce to the Sets In Order American Square Dance Society Hall of Fame.