Square Eights to honor Ernie Kinney

The Square Eights Dance Club of Hanford is formally honoring the oldest, active square dance caller in the world at tonight's dance.

Fresno resident Ernie Kinney, 82, has been calling square dances for 49 years, and has called dances in every state of the U.S. except New Jersey. He's also called dances internationally in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Sweden, Japan and England.

Kinney's extensive square dance history started with five clubs: Laton, Cantua Creek, Coalinga, Riverdale and Tulare. He's also served as a club caller for Hanford, Pairs of Four, Traveling Pioneers, Coarsegold Nuggets and Bakersfield, and has taught a seniors' group adult school class in the Fresno Unified School District.

For two years, Kinney served as the chairman of Callerlab, the international association of square dance callers. He's been a prolific record producer, featuring Hit Hat and Blue Ribbon Records (square dance singing halls and hoedowns) for a total of 709 records.

Among the "firsts" Kinney accomplished as a producer were the first singing calls with harmony on the called side, the first 45 RPM sing-a-long records, the first hoedown records with callers on the flip side (dancers could dance to these), and the first two-couple records.

Kinney is also a prolific author on square dancing, having written several "how to teach square dancing" guides as well as a book of lesson plans to guide callers teaching classes.

Ernie has signed thousands of autograph books throughout the world, always with the same message, "Keep 'em squared up."

Kinney will be honored at approximately 8 p.m. today with a certificate of accomplishment from the club. The Square Eights Hall is located at 11555 Fargo Ave., just west of the train tracks.

(Nov. 21, 2009)