So, what really happens when a modern country boy meets a swinging hot lady from a different era?
When the two dance styles mix at the county fairgrounds, it’s an explosion of rockin’ good energy!
What is country swing anyways? Believe it or not, one origin story puts John Travolta’s movie Urban Cowboy at the forefront of this style of dance. According to Country Dance Online:
“The likely origin of country swing came as hustle dancers followed John Travolta off the disco dance floor and into the country bar after the hit movie Urban Cowboy. While western swing music tracks back to the 1930’s or 1940’s the dance style of Country Swing as we see it today look a lot like the hustle of the 1970’s.”
The high energy moves take up very little room on the dance floor, but it’s still big on the acrobatic performance that makes swing dance so fun to watch!
It’s perfect for crowded country bars, or in this case, family-friendly county fairs.
But don’t let that family-friendly part fool you.
For the adults, there’s still a hint of sassiness to their performance – just watch the video very closely.
It’s one of those blink and you’ll miss it moments.
It’s spicy, but at the same time it’s not. It’s sort of like when you watch a Disney cartoon with your kids, and you catch the cleverly hidden adult jokes while your kids continue on with their innocence.
In other words, you’ll quietly smile to yourself, and they’ll still be safe.
The 2018 winners of Boise’s Canyon County Fair, Joey and Kelty Forman, happily introduce us to all the delights of this blended style of dance.
You might be familiar with west coast swing or east coast swing, but none of that matters here. Country swing is a unique style all its own.
And yes, there is a basic two-step technique (which is a blend of the Foxtrot and one-step) behind the magic. Because it’s definitely not a country dance without the required two-step, right?
Swing fans will love still love this too! All the big, bold lifts, swings and flips that were made popular in swing dance era can be seen here in all its glory.
Joey and Kelty really know how to put on a show. At the start of their dance, they reel us right into their world with their energetic foot tapping and hand clapping, and it only gets better from there!
It looks quite dangerous at times, with Kelty being flipped around like a rag doll, but her man has got her back – literally.
Of course you can’t have anything with the word “country” in it without the perfect song to go along with it. It’s the law.
“Fake ID” by Big & Rich, which was featured in the 2011 reboot of Footloose, sets the tone for the hootin’ and hollerin’ that’s about to come next.
And trust us, your feet are going to want to get up and move for this!
Check out the video below to watch Joey and Kelty show us the best country-swing dance moves!
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