My God Aren't These 1960s Bluegrass Clog Dancers Magnificent To See?

In 1965 I was making my first documentary for television. I once titled it Music Makers of the Blue Ridge but these days I title it Bluegrass Roots. I was 23 years old and I was headed to the mountains of North Carolina, to Asheville, to meet and film 82 year old Bascom Lamar Lunsford. I had written him a letter asking if I could accompany him as he sought talent for his great music and clog dance festival - the Asheville Mountain Music Festival which had been going on since 1929!
I spent weeks shooting this film with Bascom and his wife Freda, filming with a 16 mm sound camera and a friend carrying a Nagra audio recorder. Bascom told me that he was going to invite a clog dance group to his house in South Turkey Creek about 12 miles out of Asheville for a dance demonstration. He said he would roll up the living room rug so we could hear their feet as they clogged on the wooden floor. And so this scene happened and I absolutely loved filming it.
Although my camera rig was 49 pounds with a battery, I danced with the dancers with glee and recorded one of the best scenes that I have ever filmed. And the back up musicians? The best in bluegrass, mountain, old time music. The musicians included Obray Ramsey and Bascom's relative Ray Lunsford. In one moment you can see me & my camera in the mirror filming the scene.
In the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina clog dancing has been an important part of social gatherings, community events and local celebrations. It was historically a way for communities to come together, share storie, and pass down traditions through generations. Nowadays, it is still a vibrant part of the region's cultural heritage and is often showcased at festivals, fairs, and local performances. Various dance groups and schools help to preserve this tradition, teaching new generations of dancers the steps and history of clog dancing in Appalachia.
Clog dancing has deep roots in the region's history and culture. This energetic and rhythmic dance style is a blend of several European and African-American influences, including English, Scottish, Irish, and African dance forms. Clog dancing typically involves intricate footwork, heel-and-toe tapping, and syncopated rhythms, making it visually and aurally engaging.
To be a great clog dancer, an individual must possess a combination of physical abilities, technical skills, and a deep understanding of the cultural roots and traditions associated with the dance form. Some key factors are:
Mastery of rhythm and timing is essential for a clog dancer to execute the steps accurately and in sync with the music.
Clog dancing involves intricate footwork, making it necessary for a dancer to have excellent agility and coordination to move gracefully and quickly.
The energetic nature of clog dancing requires a strong lower body and cardiovascular endurance to maintain performance levels throughout a routine and to make it all look easy.
A great clog dancer will have a strong foundation in dance technique, with an emphasis on precise footwork, correct body posture, and appropriate arm movements.
Understanding the nuances of the music and its relationship with the dance allows a performer to express the emotions and energy of the piece effectively.
A great clog dancer should possess personal style and flair, which can set them apart from other dancers and make their performance memorable.
A great dancer should be able to adapt to different styles, steps, and rhythms with ease.
Finally a great clog dancer must be an engaging performer, able to captivate the audience and evoke emotions through their dance.
I could not be presenting this and other clips without support from my advertisers and I want to thank each of them. Live music Winston-Salem NC. Music in Brevard NC. Bluegrass music Asheville. Biltmore Village Asheville NC. Biltmore estate Asheville. Biltmore house Asheville. Biltmore Village shops. Lazoom Asheville. Folk Center Asheville. North Carolina Asheville Arboretum. Asheville Arboretum. Bascom. Clogging shoes. Clogging. Shania Twain Asheville. Live music Charlotte. Live music Greensboro. Bascom Lunsford Festival.
If you have enjoyed watching this clip, please click the super thanks button below the video screen to the right side. It will help keep me going sharing more of my film clips with you.
The one hour film ran in the primetime in 1965 and got the cover i've TV Guide with a fabulous review. Today it is considered a classic and I am proud that so many subscribers and others have chosen to watch it - many more than once. Thank you Bascom Lamar Lunsford and all those who appeared with him in my film.

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

This is the story behind my 1964 clog dance scene - kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHulkHt9mayZn8U

[@diegos.loayza3706]

thanks

[@js1265]

Thank you David Hoffman. Where did this year's go were familys were familys and you saw the happiness on people face beautiful video.

[@HeardFromMeFirst]

Just realised I already commented on this Masterpiece 7 years ago .?? 🏆😂

[@droidzilla22]

Can you explain the editing process? This must've used multiple cameras since I see cuts to different angle. Was there an audio master that you just added the different footage to?

[@DG-wu7ke]

I guess since I grew up in east Tennessee I'm not as amazed as some viewers. You learned to do this shortly after you could walk.

[@dianepereira1860]

This is what's missing in society today people of all ages getting together and having some good clean fun.

[@thebusinesswoman23]

Exactly .

[@good4gaby]

Absolutely 👍

[@joyfulsip3615]

We have good clean fun quite a lot and so do many of the people we know. Get up and make it happen.

[@andycountryboy9407]

Happy folks.

[@rossmorebaz]

Im from Ireland and my family and I are just amazed to see this ... because this dancing is very similar to our own .. the people in the video are doing what we call set dancing or SHAN NOS dancing .. spelled SEAN NOS in Scots-Gaelic language ...Ive heard about the cultural /blood connection between Scots- Irish and the people in south- Appalachia region in the States . there is such strong Scottish- Irish DNA in the melody of the music , the rhythm in the way they dance and move ..This makes me very proud to know that a part of our Celtic culture is alive and well in the United States.. God Bless to our American cousins X

[@L1623VP]

Such a lovely comment. Much love to you across the pond, as well.

[@origins2437]

It’s Celtic based from the Scottish and Irish migration to the south. Some other forms “buck dancing” is even older. It’s closer with tap..

[@ducttapepage12]

I live in the Foothills of the Appalachians in Virginia, everyone here is of scot-irish descent; all the music, dances and even a lot of spellings came from y'all. Bluegrass is my favorite genre of music, I grew up listening to it and let me tell you it's hard to distinguish it from Irish music.

[@brucecollins4729]

@@ducttapepage12 a lot of your words/spellings would be of scots origins since the earlier scots would have taken them over to amerikay. also fiddle reel music is indigenous to scotland. a few fiddle tunes in amerikay are scottish. your dance would have it,s origins in england, wales or scotland as these were amongst the earliest settlers. irish dancing never started until 1895 after scots workers invited 2 irish co-workers to a st andrews night ceilidh, ceilidhs being of scottish origins. the irish had their first ceilidh a few years later.woody guthrie and bill monroe both credit scotland with bluegrass , as does dolly partin. irish fiddle music was introduced to ireland from scotland. 100s of scots fiddle reel made there way to ireland in the late 1700s. irish music as we see it today only started in the late 50s early 60s(i,m auld enough to know)when bands like the clancies and dubliners appeared and adopted the scots style alang with many scots and english sangs. many modern scots sangs are mistakenly classed as irish also.

[@ammie8659]

@@brucecollins4729 I agree with everything you said. My family was part of that early wave from Scotland, England and Wales, and fought in the Revolution. As new territory opened to the west, with each new generation they brought the music and dance with them, from the Carolinas, through Kentucky and Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. My 3rd great grandmother sailed here from Ireland in the 1850s.

[@dlagrua]

Back then there were no smart phones, few B/W TV channels and most homes had only a single corded phone. The thing to do was to get together with friends to dance, chat, laugh, play ball in the streets and maybe board games. Sadly those days where people needed each other are mostly behind us. Today's youth doesn't have a clue what they are missing..

[@JuniorJr...]

Exactly because they didn't have these gadgets, families used to have 5, 6, or more kids. Without entertainment, all they could do was have kids, go to church, drink until they passed out, hit their wives and kids, etc. Do we still have that today? Yeah, but with smaller families...

[@eucliduschaumeau8813]

I watch this once a week, like a tonic, a vermifuge or an elixir, to keep my negative thoughts away. This is the BEST.

[@joanstrunk4715]

I learned how to do this mountain clog when I was just a girl. Do not be fooled, it takes a whole lot of stamina to get through a whole dance! At age 76 I can only do a few minutes. It brings back great memories of a bygone era.

[@carolynellis387]

Kept you very very fit! Dancing is such a joy and great for everyone getting together

[@barnowl5774]

Oh yes, you can definitely see that it is an aerobic workout, and such a wonderful way to do it!

[@foxopossum]

I was wondering the whole time I was watching it how on earth they kept goin so long!

[@dethray1000]

in utah clogging is still popular

[@happytrailcamstoyou9509]

Oh, I wasn't fooled a bit about the energy level needed! I'm sure it also took a lot of practice to perfect the moves and timing. I bet most of them started when they were half the size they are in the video.

[@catherineveleker6822]

That little girl with the short hair and dimples just jumps out of the film....that's star quality.

[@joanbroad3528]

And what a gorgeous smile!

[@RowdyRory]

That face, as they used to say, has "the map of Ireland written all over it."

[@johnurquhart4614]

She looks like Scout from To Kill a Mockingbird, doesn't she?

[@shaggydogg630]

@@johnurquhart4614yes she does.

[@GingerScruggs]

i wonder where that little girl is now?@@shaggydogg630

[@daryljay7057]

This is certainly a slice of old Americana at it's finest! How cool is this? The pretty little girls in their fine cotton dresses, the handsome young men. All of them, young & old, dressed in their finery for a night out at a party! Oh, that little darlin' with the bobbed hair, the sweet dimples, & a smile to melt the coldest heart, is just about the cutest thing anywhere! No zombie imitations, staring into the abyss, through the tiny screen of a cell phone! People, enjoying other people in fun & fellowship! A Joy to Behold, forever!

[@joanbroad3528]

I wonder what happened to them all, especially the little lady with the gorgeous smile and dimples at the beginning? If anyone from this film is watching it would be absolutely wonderful if you left a message!

[@thelostcomrad]

Im bawling right now. My great grandmother used to have parties like this in her barn every saturday night with live music and dancing, i never thought i would hear or see something like it again for as long as i live. Thank you so much.

[@Nan-59]

That is an amazing story about your great grandmother! Thank-you for sharing! 🥰🥰

[@Frankoaks277]

I wish they still did that today

[@Paiadakine]

Why didn’t your parents continue the tradition?

[@doublezmtnman]

We have let too much of our culture slip away. God I miss those days when family and friends came together on a regular basis.

[@yonkromis7883]

Well you said to find some musicians a few people know how to do it proper floor maybe that same Barn and do it you might find some time to dancers that's very very similar but not quite as strenuous there's a big contradancing community it kind of fell apart during it doesn't take nearly as much skill and stamina as this does contradancing

[@stevesimpson5126]

I was amazed at the reaction this wonderful video has gotten. Obviously it has been meaningful to lots of people for various reasons. In this video are three of my first cousins and one old friend. We are all in our sixties now and still live in Western North Carolina within about 25 minutes driving time from each other. We stay in close contact with one another. In fact, just last week we all got together for a Christmas celebration. The cute girl who was prominently featured is Mary Ann...she still has that sweet smile! Her brother Bill is a dancer here...as is our other first cousin, Sam. They were all very talented dancers! We watched this video at Sam's home during our gathering. This is a source of pride not only for these dancers, but for our whole family. All are doing quite well still...and all have had long-term, happy marriages and successful careers. As a side note...another of our first cousins was "Bonnie Lou"...of the singing duo, Bonnie Lou and Buster. They were pretty well known regionally for playing bluegrass/mountain music. They recorded several albums and hosted a television show for many years that was syndicated all over the South. Bonnie Lou and Buster were quite influential in promoting this genre of music and the associated "hillbilly" entetainment....long before the tv show "Hee Haw". We had other connections to this mountain music. Bonnie Lou and Buster were friends with and played/traveled with Mother Mabel Carter (a trailblazing icon in mountain/country music) of "The Carter Family". I remember my Aunt Jewel recounting how they all stayed in her home over night as they traveled thru Hendersonville, NC. Cousin Sam tells of meeting "The Father of Bluegrass Music", Bill Monroe...when he would come visit my grandparents on a regular basis many years ago. During my younger years I didn't know about any of this...and probably wouldn't have been suitably impressed if I had known. Now that I know what giants they were...it's a different story. Yep, we were and still are just down home folks...and have always been proud of our heritage. Thank you to all of the people who shared these kind and meaningful comments. Bless your hearts.

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

A beautiful message for the holidays Steve. Thank you for sharing. A lucky man you are to have lived in that magnificent Western North Carolina culture. David Hoffman-filmmaker Did you see how many people ask me to go back and update my original film. Would not be wonderful. I don't have the money to do it these days unfortunately.

[@johnd1216]

Were the dancers performers?

[@nigelking7648]

Lovely, you guys certainly had lots of energy....love clogging, though could never master it, just linedancing! Thanks for the view, it lifts the heart...Jan from australia. Using hubbies log in!

[@cynthiahawkins2389]

All of the folks from that long ago day..seem to step across time, and into our hearts.Indelibly, forever. A deep, common chord was struck judging from the wonderful comments. I am especially pleased to learn how many of these people (Mary Ann Dimples..) are still walking (and, I hope dancing!!) among us. I was, let's see...in my teens when this film was made. I am going to be 70 next September. I have been watching the Library of Congress series also posted on You Tube, and it brings the point home - how important 'folk culture' (that term does not do it justice!) is to our country.

[@hooleyqueen]

Thank you for sharing your great family history. I love Bill Monroe. I live in California and we have a great love of Bluegrass & country music & dance here. We have a giant Free Festival of music here every year for 3 days featuring Bluegrass and many other types of music in San Francisco out in Golden Gate Park. There I have seen to name a few: Ralph Stanley, Earl Scruggs, Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Del Macory (spelled wrong) Doc Watson, Steve Earl, Dolly Parton, and many other famous musicians & singers. The billionaire businessman who paid for the Festival has died, but his family started a Foundation to keep this event going. His name was Warren Hellman, and he had a bluegrass group who played just for fun. He played banjo. The people of San Francisco & the entire Bay Area will be forever grateful to him for this event. It brings together thousands from all races, religions, ages, and countries to enjoy music together.

[@wernerdinslage8968]

No drugs just laughter and smiles makes makes my heart soar

[@ganndeber1621]

IOt looks so much fun

[@PotterPossum1989]

Probably not a drop of liquor in the house 🤣

[@vincentlussier8264]

Those were the innocent days. And the little girl smiling with the dimples is so cute and just adorable ❤️

[@TheJazzyRedTalkShow]

I’m Black and 65 years old. We did this in 60s at our May Day or and it was called Square Dancing. And we had on skirts with can can sips under it to make the skirt stand out. We was having fun!

[@TheEdwin1961]

Yes its funy music, you must know i from the Netherlands. I live there 44 year, than 8 year Portugal and i year Spain. At this moment return too Portugal. Villa nova de Cacela. Its great music.

[@donarthiazi2443]

*@JazzyRedTalk* Bless you and your family for keeping this music alive!!

[@TheJazzyRedTalkShow]

@@donarthiazi2443 you gave me an idea I will work on getting some kids to Square Dance on my TV show coming soon!

[@TheJazzyRedTalkShow]

@@TheEdwin1961 This was good clean fun!

[@donarthiazi2443]

@@TheJazzyRedTalkShow I wish you the best of luck! And kids need more exercise so this is a great way to get them moving. Again, best wishes and good luck!!

[@jimsowder446]

What makes this so special to me is seeing the adults and children both participating and everyone has a smile going on!

[@3941602]

Yep the smiles I noticed that too.Dancing just does that to ya..Feeling down do a lil jig

[@HappySunshineDay]

Yes! The multi-generational aspect is also enhanced by Mr. Hoffman's brilliant eye as he includes the pictures of ancestors on the walls, and slides on down to a younger sister curled up in a chair.

[@superdude1759]

The adults dancing with the children stood out to me too, because today that’s virtually impossible! The youth used to get their culture handed down to them from the adults so naturally they would know the same activities! The adults would be proud that the younger generation learned what they taught and the youth would have joy that they pleased their parents and authority figures! The bond between them was strengthened and not easily broken! This by the way fosters courage, a love for previous generations and our history! That would enable the younger generations to have a national identity and quell any enemy that breaches our boundaries! Today much of the youth create their own culture apart from the adults, they deride the previous generation’s culture, due to indoctrination from the state through a Godless, secular humanist neo-Marxist system! They are separated from the adults who they rebel against, the adults don’t understand them and there is a fragile bond at best that is easily broken if they are led astray!

[@missiontent111]

@@superdude1759 Ya told it the way it is ........!

[@robinluich6626]

Singing and dancing is what the poor folks do for fun in the Appalachian's. As a girl growing up with 12 aunts and uncles on my mother's side and 9 on my father's side, we had lots of family fun like this.

[@martinreavey8419]

That young lady at the beginning with the lovely smile and dimples. I bet she grew up to break a few hearts. Great to see them enjoying themselves

[@jimdaw65]

Indeed. Her thumbnail-pic makes watching the vid irresistable. Imagine being her ... "are you filming me? Oh, no!" And then she was the star :-)

[@cooldiscodan1992]

We need this type of social dancing and gatherings to learn how to build community again

[@AffordBindEquipment]

@@cooldiscodan1992 so everyone can stand around and film it on their phones....

[@jean-pierrecharpentier2546]

From a Frenchman, this video is incredible: all generations dancing together, a fabulous orchestra, a jewel of American culture... proud to have seen it!

[@arvydas0069]

Glorious. I love the spirit of the centuries of European culture which coalesced in USA

[@jean-pierrecharpentier2546]

@@kachi9293 You haven't understood a thing! Yes, I'm proud to have seen a video I didn't know existed, proud to have learned about a tradition I didn't know existed, proud to see a people who have preserved the memory of their ancestors: did I say that French culture was better than that of the United States?

[@jean-pierrecharpentier2546]

​@@kachi9293I don't know the English word that expresses the feeling of having learned something that grows on you intellectually. The word proud should not be understood as arrogant, but as the definition I have just given. , sorry

[@ansfridaeyowulfsdottir8095]

@@jean-pierrecharpentier2546 Don't feed the Moron Troll. Let it starve in the loneliness of the wilderness. {:o:O:}

[@WilliamLesourd]

@@kachi9293j’ai bien peur que Kachi ait raison ;)

[@karateana7593]

I wish there were still dances like this today, I'm sick of night clubs, I'd much rather be taken to an old fashioned dance, seems like way more fun than going out and getting drunk.

[@hilariousname6826]

Oh, I think lots of people went out and got drunk and those old time dance ... some of them, anyway ... !

[@nuppyup]

Contra dancing is totally a thing now in many areas. I learned to clog in the 80s in Oregon. All up and down the West Coast you can find people who do this type of dancing.

[@justaguy2365]

Go to Marshall NC or any of the surrounding mountain towns. They still do this regularly. Better believe they're sipping moonshine

[@autumnkeller443]

Contra dancing has made a comeback. It's easier than clogging but very similar. There might be one in your town. They have live musicians like this usually.

[@penname40]

kara, what? no twerking?

[@mitoys3628]

I grew up with this culture and miss it dearly . Mom was the oldest of 8 kids , so our home was the meeting place every sunday. We were farmers ,so there was plenty of food and with 24 first cousins there was always music and dancing. There was no money , but we knew how to have fun . These people remind me so much of the most enjoyable time of my life. I am 83 years old.

[@casperskitzo9920]

You mean white culture . Sad we lost it all forever .

[@dickhardigan5516]

Ma'am we still around I'm only 30 and my young are growin in the same tradition as far west as Colorado

[@dickhardigan5516]

@SAJAG PARAJULI you welcome to join us at the jam

[@casperskitzo9920]

@William Muradasilova ohhhhh shut the fuck up lol idiot s everywhere

[@stevegold2672]

💃🏻💐

[@MrKmoconne]

The man at 2:39 is Bascom Lamar Lunsford, a man who devoted his life to recording "mountain music" he was a man who never received any laurites for what he did but the world of music owes a great deal of gratitude too.

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

Thank you John. I completely agree. But you did read my description I hope. David Hoffman filmmaker

[@Paul_dw_Kersey]

3rd cousin, twice removed

[@LauriBel]

My Scots-Irish Grandpa taught me this dance. It's been 50 years and I can still hear him saying "shuffle-hop-step, shuffle-hop-step" while helping 7 year old me try to keep up. He loved to dance like this, and spoke often of when he was young and they would all get together at his grandmother's house in the evenings. The uncles would bring their fiddles, banjo and harmonica and they would all sing and dance late into the night.

[@jimmyohara2601]

You can still hear him ?? check the auto playback on your tape recorder 😂

[@HelloKittykat21]

My great grandfather used to dance in the pubs after a long day's work my grandmother told me tales of how he and her mother would both dance. I say it's where my love of tap comes from - grandparents are precious 💖

[@Loy1950]

I’m a city girl, but my husband’s family from Appalachian roots. His line runs WAY back into original Virginia settlement and colonies. I love watching these things and appreciate the skill; both the music and dancing.

[@liamsanchezgoestovegas]

A mandolin would complete the bluegrass sound here. Also the harmonica player could definitely lay back a little and let somebody else lead. (Just a musician’s perspective. I’m not trying to be a jerk or whatever)

[@bobmassie5991]

I'm from the Highlands of Scotland, and I am totally smitten by this video. The sheer joy of the dancers is palpable. Although all the dancers are truly wonderful, the young couple who feature most are absolutely unforgettable. I've never been to rural Appalachia, apart from the bluegrass music, this dancing could have come from a square set from Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Wonderful! Bob Massie

[@peterdarnley7115]

Scots/irish my friend. That's their roots. Northern ireland Presbyterians. Their ancestors are still there in County Antrim, Down, Fermanagh etc.

[@mr.t3p370]

@@peterdarnley7115 you forgot Wells my Celtic Earth brother.🤠

[@plumpooh627]

hi,, shane here from ireland.. i used to be an irish set dancer back in the 90's.. i love this video and sadly irish set dancing is almost extinct too,,.. shame.. my set won the lenister twice and manchester international set dancing.. great memories.. i'd be out raving on a saturday night and then of to dance in competitions on a sunday morn,,, lol.. best of bought worlds..

[@kfrb1]

Reminded me of the Gay Gordon dance a bit.

[@dbentleyto95]

Fantastic, I could not stop smiling

[@MrSupersquashy]

I'm a 40 year old guy from northern Ireland. found this by accident and it's the best scene ever.. real music by real people.. can't get enough of this style right now.. someone grab me a banjo...😁😁

[@usernamemykel]

You want a banjo, I'm here in the USA, without Irish heritage, playing Irish whistles/pennywhistles/tinwhistles!

[@MrSupersquashy]

@@usernamemykel well I only went and got a banjo,lol.still picking away. I also happen to know an irish champion on tin whistle.

[@usernamemykel]

Lee Grissam I enjoyed Joannie Madden with her Irish band “Cherish the Ladies” when they performed in Florida.

i'm sure Irish and Scots are responsible for this dancing in the USA.

[@CarrsMill]

That's interesting, I'm from Dublin, and when I saw these people dancing, I immediately thought of Ulster Scotts and I'm not sure why. There's an Ulster vibe about them but I can't put my finger on what it is. It looks a wonderful tradition and worth keeping.

[@anthonybevilacqua3074]

In 1972 my family moved to Virginia-I was nine years old, and there was still clog dancing nights we would go to in our neighborhood. It was in a big public hall and people were not self-consciously trying to make a traditional place-it was just people enjoying themselves and the fact that it was old-fashioned meant nothing compared to the pleasure of being there and either observing or learning to join in. I wish old-fashioned things weren’t always treated as narrow minded things.

[@rainerrain9689]

I agree !

[@Beatlefan67]

I'm totally captivated by the smile that the girl gives at the beginning. How wonderful it all looks.

[@spamgarbage6999]

She looks like she could be Jennifer Garner’s mom

[@CherokeeBird]

She looks like a little pixie. Those dimples though lol ❤

[@annikanyman767]

Yes !

[@firsargentum5920]

I wonder where she is now?! She looks about 15 in the pic so would have been born around 1950 so would be about 73 today if she's still alive. Would be great to hear her memories of this...

[@sitarnut]

Yep, that's part of our beautiful America before cell phones - chat groups.

[@brandonsaraniti771]

If the US ever gets to host the Olympics, something like this should be performed during the opening ceremony. It's an incredible part of the US's heritage that the world needs to see.

[@mountaindew7190]

Now it would be criticized for being too white and some sort of symbol of oppression :( It is sad to see where we have gone as a culture.

[@bryanbaker5942]

It would be considered racist. Wouldn’t be Lebron James approved

[@Troutdreams]

Right, its like we never see white faces on TV or representation in D.C. The times I just think, If only people could walk a mile in my 50 yr, old middle-class white guy wing tip shoes....

[@mountaindew7190]

@@Troutdreams Judging by the paragraph you just wrote, walking in your shoes is something no man should have to do.

[@banjo2019]

@@mountaindew7190 Oh my god the whining here is so loud it’s drowning out the fiddle in the video. Stop feeling sorry for your white selves. It’s time to grow up. America is comprised of many cultures. Just because yours is criticized now and then for its absurd belief in racial supremacy does not mean the world is coming to an end. Did you know that the banjo played in this video came from the Black community? Did you know that much of this music genre bluegrass has major Black influences? This is American and Southern culture at its best and I love it. Throw the Confederate flag in the trash. Give me this all day.

[@Trancelvania100]

The title says "Best Bluegrass Clog Dancing Video Ever Made" and nobody could possibly disagree with that,

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

Trancelvania100 . Thank you for your comment. Actually, I got the title from a KZbin comment where someone suggested I should use that title because this old clip from my movie deserved it. I did, and so far no one has objected to it. David Hoffman-filmmaker

[@QMPhilosophe]

+Trancelvania100 Agreed...Awesome to watch this...The young girl in the plaid skirt reminded of Scout from To Kill A Mockingbird.

[@bobbrawley9439]

David Hoffman Any chance in identifing any of these people?

[@-Cinderman]

❤ Here's to a slower-paced world, where people would gather, eat good food and entertain one another. Bad things were happening in the world back then, for sure, but people seemed to be more ALIVE, more in the moment than they are now.

[@therealzilch]

I have to watch this every once in a while to reaffirm my faith in humanity.

[@alfredlawrence3182]

These dancers are the salt of the American earth.

[@nickcurran3105]

And these boys and their Scots-Irish ancestors were the finest soldiers this country ever produced.

[@kanyeedigum182]

It's always Scots Irish, the Welsh were in the thick of it as well, but not mentioned so much, where would you have been without the Tredegar iron works, just saying.

[@donnastarnes3104]

Some years after this video has been uploaded, and the state of the world looking pretty grim here in 2022, I find myself hoping that this will soon be the way family and friends come together again. Clean and wholesome! THAT'S entertainment! Thank you for such a wonderful video depicting the true heart of America!

[@dianesaldivar824]

I understand completely. Life used to be simple and fun.

[@kwevoel9993]

Well said. The world is a crap show now

[@crissoto3759]

Forget about getting together again with all that internet cell phones and games they don't even have time to say hello

[@blueclover9918]

It might look peachy on the surface but this generation had its problems too. Imagine the civil and racial strife, a President, Attorney General and civil rights leader assassinated before everyone's eyes in the space of 5 years, the unrest at home caused by the Vietnam War and division between the generations as well as political parties. This wasn't the true heart of America for black citizens and virtually any other minority. women were still considered second class citizens and Native Americans (those who survived anyway), were hoarded into reservations. Families all have the same problems through the generations as well. That's something that never really changes. As far as media and being phones, this generation was up in arms about wasting time on "television!", the previous generation was up in arms about "radio"! I'm not saying things are good now, they suck. But let's not romanticize a time that actually never was, either. No, I'm not "woke", and I will have choice words for anyone who describes me as such, trust me. I'm simply telling the truth - and if the truth is too "woke" for you, you just don't know enough about history. But God bless them, that does look like an awful lot of fun.

[@FlukeTog]

But you can we have the freedom to be different now and go live as we please. Start it up. Amish do this, roll out.

[@jerryhaynes7335]

This reminds me of my hillbilly roots. I was raised in California and took a lot of demeaning and hurtful comments about my family history from some cruel and ignorant people. My mother's family had a radio show in the area of Melbourne Arkansas in the late 30's and early 40's . They were known as the kidwell family. My uncle's and cousins were amazing musicians. My aunt Lucille was the singer and was known as the Arkansas queen. Unfortunately some of them lost their lives in WW2. My aunt Lucille is 99 years old. My uncle Leroy was the last musician. He could play anything with strings. These people made fun of us as hillbillies while I was growing up as if we were stupid rubes. Our children have grown to be successful in business. Law and are wonderful people. My aunt Lucille is still living. I'm proud of my hillbilly roots. I think I'll call my aunt Lucille and thank her again first for the legacy she left for us "ignorant" hillbillies

[@user-ix7vx2ho5e]

There are those of us who appreciate the cultures of others.We can learn from you.Keep the faith you have a beautiful talent.

[@marymccormick8166]

In

[@carmenburton4918]

I grew up on a farm in Africa with my grandma.. simple living, simple life.. living in Europe now and this reminds me of simpler times with dirt on my feet down by the creek. I think it's loverly

[@user-ix7vx2ho5e]

Yours is a great story and very interesting .I enjoy the simplicity of life.People can be cruel.But I enjoy the cloggers and there are times when I just watch them and listen to the bluegrass music.And just seeing how happy they are And it makes my day. My grandmother raised me.And gave me a strong Spiritual foundation.And her tombstone says, "She found good in everyone .I'm from upstate N.Y small town.I hope you do not think we are all like that. We can learn from each other. God bless, God speed and keep the faith Amen

[@jewelbee6956]

Aunt Lucille would probably love to see this video

[@steve1962]

Right at the start...that young girl's smile.......that there is worthy of watching this all on it's own.

[@Slithey7433]

I come back and review this video every now and then just to see her once more. 🥰

[@leehunter1246]

This is a video of American heritage. This is what Americans lived for before technology. The real American way

[@357mview2]

We fuck in front of people but we hide it with dance in 2010s and up

[@rewandrew]

Make America Great Again!!!

[@michaeljordanfansaretheworst]

hillbilies racist

[@PissyKnish]

This is what the corporations took from us. All of us.

[@Honeycombe88]

I think clog dancing was popular in a certain region, coming down from Ireland, where the folks had emigrated from. My family was in deep French south...no clog dancing.

[@bjlaughter5654]

Love this footage, will always cherish it. The cute girl with the dimples is my aunt and the young man at :45 is my father.

[@patcrowley6949]

I hope they're peeking in from time to time and enjoying their fame.

[@johnbenett2089]

BJ Laughter Hi. Can you provide more details on your aunt, Mary Ann?

[@hannecatton2179]

You should be very proud. I´m sure you are.

[@joeblow3335]

Who's the boy dancing with your aunt? They're adorable together.

[@borisbash]

BJ: come on BJ there is a lot of people wondering about your family. Can you please provide an update.

[@TenTenJ]

Made my heart burst. Thank you for showing the depth of Americana. 🇺🇸

[@genearbogast7525]

Mountain music is very similar on many continents......Mountain music from the Appallacians carries the joy and weight of Celtic history

[@randyharris5195]

My dad's family is from the mountains of NC. It's not just the dancing, but the music as well as it reflects its roots with the Scotch-Irish people. I recently visited Inverness and went to a hootnanny. It was a HOOT! I loved it because of its connection to Bluegrass.

[@blaydeesy2005]

I’ve been watching this video for years. I can’t help but wonder what happened to everyone, especially the younger kids. The oldest girl is absolutely beautiful, and the short haired girl with the dimples is adorable. Honestly they all are. I saw a few videos of the lead dancer in his older years. So glad you captured this on video, hundreds of years from now people will still be loving it.

[@brantrichardson1949]

Check out the post by Steve Simpson 5 posts above yours. He was part of this family and gives a lengthy update!

[@rosesekera8357]

I wonder about them too! Such lovely and happy people.

[@primeaardvark646]

Amen brother. Same here. I’m gonna checkout homeboys post, but I really hope that they lived well and had a buncha o kids and raised em up right. ❤. Much love. I hope that they made it.

[@KR-vo3iu]

My family just recently discovered this video. The short haired girl with the dimples is my grandmother! I can't speak for most of the people in this video, but she's still alive and well, and near 70 years old

[@cluelessbeekeeping1322]

@@KR-vo3iu Oh my god, She's nothing short of adorable! Her smile! Tell her a stranger in Texas says hello!

[@johnnyflyover2778]

My peeps. The most resilient people in the USA. God bless Appalachia.

[@JML6988]

Pronounced Appa-latcha, of course!

[@bobbythompson3544]

Good Ulster Scots stock!

[@thedreadtyger]

Amen!

[@sgjoni]

I'm from Iceland and I took a DNA test this summer and I'm getting many people from this area coming up as 4th to 5th cousins... still trying to figure out how as they don't seem to have any Icelandic roots... but these faces and their spirit look like family ;-)

[@user-rc4ge5si5e]

Стоит телевизор, и никто в него не пялится. Замечательное времяпрепровождение! Музыка, общение, танцы - живая проявленная жизнь.

[@robinbjorge9329]

Pure clean fun. So refreshing. No hidden agendas.

[@Gpacharlie]

Well, there was those two ended up In the hay loft together.

[@pazza4555]

I can't imagine what a hidden agenda of people dancing could possibly be.

[@georgebethos7890]

David Hoffman your work is a national treasure

[@lawr66]

Not sure how to check if it already is, but it should be in the Smithsonian.

[@beardedscotsman5078]

Every blessing to my brothers and sisters across the pond!

[@r.f.4280]

God bless them 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@ernestmitchell7088]

Bless y’all too from across the pond. Shoutout from a Scott Irish ☘️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Appalachian American. We never forget where we come from!

[@SuperPhunThyme9]

No joke. This culture has heavy Scottish roots. I think their Scottish heritage might have actually been what mainly distinguished (and/or separated) them from the rest of the East Coast American culture, leading them to migrate to Appalachian region in the first place.

[@SuperPhunThyme9]

@TexasPROUD yeah, but I'm talking about waaaay back; mid, maybe even early 1700's.....when Florida was still held by Spain, Louisiana by France, and much of the in-between was still getting tossed between the two...

[@bonnieblue222]

BeardedScotsman - Blessings to y'all too from Texas! So proud of my Scot -Irish Ancestry!

[@josephwarren3498]

Strangely, I am vastly proud at this moment of my Southern American roots. That was wonderful.

[@gertibell]

They barely broke a sweat or were breathing heavy. Most kids today would die if they did that dance even 5 minutes. Even the old folks were getting into it. I was definitely impressed.

[@TheFremenBlue]

Not a single one was overweight - quite a contrast just looking around today.

[@lisahinton9682]

@gertibell "Even five minutes"? Though I agree with you, the video is only six minutes long and the kids danced for only the first half of it.

[@mud6866]

@@lisahinton9682 they didn't film every second back then like people do now. They probably danced many times over

[@mariangrimsdell1112]

People have no energy today because the food is fake, the water has no ionisation, and the corporate world is too greedy , city life is very toxic unless you live in the best neighbourhood.

[@justaguy2365]

They're definitely not lazy people lol. These were hard working folks. Tough as nails

[@jene2210]

I love this video... the second cut, when you can see that they're actually shaking the furniture with their footwork, and then 1:56, when grandpaw is snoozing away; the smiles; the banjo picking; the old couple tapping it out; the little kids watching... whoever filmed this had such great eye for detail. Lotta joy in these few minutes.

[@user-kk5kr5ys6i]

The filmer picked out all the relatives! Brilliant film-making.

[@scottlewisparsons9551]

The filmmaker was David Hoffman. It’s a wonderful film.

[@SeattleScotty]

And of course the young man with the newfangled electric guitar playing with the seasoned veterans on the acoustics!

[@marygayquigley9672]

My husband plays the banjo 😊❤

[@rmkenney]

The old couple tapping it out were only THE Mr Bascom Lamar Lunsford himself and I believe his second wife Freda. He was the mover and shaker that Mr Hoffman contacted, and arranged to take Mr Hoffman around and show him a great deal of the musical and other culture of rural Appalachia. The Man.

[@Crafts48]

These kids dancing is incredible. The little girl with the dimples steals the show. Where are they now? This is Feb 21, 2023

[@ljones98391]

One family member said many of the teens are living in western North Carolina not too far from each other.g

[@scalnecus]

Thank you David Hoffman for preserving this beautiful history.

[@paddlefoot5692]

That is pure down home Americana. Keep it alive!

[@estartnorton]

A blessing to my soul!

[@kathleenmuchka2559]

Please don't forget the Welsh. My mother was English, Scottish, Irish, & Welsh and she could clog up a storm.

[@juliavernon306]

Exactly. This is the real America

[@SeattleScotty]

@@juliavernon306 There are a million 'real' Americas, that's what makes it great. Maybe a few miles from this there is a different gathering of people playing blues or jazz music, or any of countless cultures within the US. This in particular only represents a small part of the country.

[@scripta9481]

Excellent! Pure Scots-Irish Appalachian culture. A national treasure. Thanks for posting.

[@violetbennett2407]

I wonder if these dancers have Scottish ancestry?

[@brucecollins4729]

@@violetbennett2407 probably quite a lot.

[@gray3553]

@@violetbennett2407 Likely many of them had English, Anglo/Irish and Scots/Irish roots. Many Appalachian place names derive from England or native Indian tribes. But its a rich culture and melting pot. Hope it still survives todays world of high tech.

[@brucecollins4729]

@@gray3553 also scots roots.

[@tillik1004]

@@violetbennett2407 This part of the country is know for having a lot of Scots-Irish people

[@michelleobrien6996]

Ah the good old days. As my mother says "before tv we would make our own entertainment". In her case it was the whole family around the piano playing music and singing.

[@geronimosrifle2913]

Can't believe that the youngest of those kiddos is 60 years old now man at time flies!!

[@dotturner3655]

Brings a tear to my eye when I think of what this has been replaced with. It wasn't just the music that changed.

[@Lizerator]

This whole video is fascinating, the music, the people, the dancing... People entertaining themselves instead of sitting waiting for the next special effects.

[@CindyFridayBeeman]

And the videographer in the mirror!

[@MrSebboxxx]

no netflix 🙂

[@larrygrant-hy8sk]

Mountain folks work hard to get food out of rocky hillsides. They develop extended families and kinship with the community. They play hard in order to balance their lives

[@corryjookit7818]

Where's the clogs ? Nobody's wearing clogs.

[@stevenrosen9895]

i keep stumbling across this clip again and again and it is amazing. the faces, the music, the dance, the rattling walls, so beautiful. i have been playing at old time and bluegrass festivals for 40 years and i got to thinking, "where are they now?". those youngsters would be in theirs70s and 80s now, and i wonder if i've seen them or played music with them over the many years in VA., NC, WV. . i wish i knew their names! really enjoy your work!

[@wakeupamerica4610]

I watched this 3yrs ago...AND IM SEEING IT AGAIN AND IM JUST AS ELATED!!! The young lady at the very begining has the sweetest smile.thank you for this.

[@rogerbrookes3515]

My God, it's a Norman Rockwell painting that moves.

[@ruthmather716]

My daddy was born and raised in Kentucky , in the country. This is how they had fun. I don’t know how they learned but somehow they did. And play instruments. Violin, well , fiddle, mandolin, bass guitar. The big ones that you payed standing up.and sing, Oh my, they could sing. Berea Ky. Has a great fall gathering every year In October . Thus still goes on😄

[@ronniechilds2002]

That's a good way to put it.

[@marcap9757]

My gosh, it is!

[@susanmurphy958]

Very witty comment Roger.

[@ngzcaz]

That comment should be in the Smithsonian along with this video..

[@clementevaldez1271]

I never get tired of seeing the joy in the faces of the most beautiful people in our country ❤️ ♥️ 💕 😍 💛 💖 ❤️

[@onlinemusiclessonsadamphil4677]

I'm Scots Irish and this totally resonates with me and my culture, ,music etc

[@adambrocklehurst4211]

You might be in for a shock then. It's probable Clog dancing originated in Lancashire England. Many English settled in the rural South.

[@anidaralopez5676]

This put a smile on my face. Reminds me of Saturday nights at my great grandma's house during the summer. The 'boys' (her sons) would bring their music (instruments) and play while aunts, uncles, cousins, all clogged or 'buck danced'. My mom would harmonize with her sister and one of her cousins to sing some old bluegrass. Those were the days. :)

[@marielongoria6714]

Anidara Lopez: Saturday nights must have been something else at your great grandma's home. I am curious of one thing, though. Where did you get the last name "Lopez".

[@DutchmanAmsterdam]

@@marielongoria6714 Perhaps she married a latin?

[@marielongoria6714]

@@DutchmanAmsterdam You have more common sense than I did when I first posted my comment. The night I posted it, I remember thinking that Anidara Lopez must be related to the dancers in the video. But I have absolutely no idea why I thought that. The video was made almost 60 years ago! Pretty absent minded of me, huh?

[@ianh9091]

Watching from New Zealand. Greatly heartened to see people in a community getting together and having good wholesome fun together and building marvellous skills in musicianship and dance along the way. This is what real human communication looks like and it’s great to see. Wonderful and full of wonder 😊👍

[@patscott6365]

When the world made sense.....

[@jocurry4795]

Watching from New Zealand too... Christchurch ❤️

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

Yep. How come New Zealanders don't keep up the old traditions? Have some folks over on a Saturday night and cook up a neighbour? 🙄😱🙃

[@nadanalia3000]

Auckland here and I agree

[@ayrplanes]

I grew up 20 miles from Leicester, NC. Those were great times. I'd go back in a heartbeat, even as the 56 year old man I am. Life was harder but better. People were kinder and gentler then and hadn't been taught to hate each other as now. The pace of life was slower too. We just lived.

[@christschool]

You and I are the same age and sounds like you grew up in the same area. I bet we know each other.

[@2Jeezuzisreal]

The Irish and Scottish stories are just amazing. They suffered so much and kept their dignity and culture when they came to America.

[@mike856ms]

3 things: 1. I've never searched clog dancing but it showed up and I thought why not watch. 2. Not a roach in this house is safe. Lol lol 3. Not 1 person is wearing clogs. Just dress shoes. Loved it.

[@michaell4986]

Oh that be four things!

[@SRPDunn]

And you can still find folks dancing like this today, we're lucky to still have so much of our Appalachian culture alive.

[@jed.x2907]

Hi, do you know the name of the dance? Its amazing

[@janmeyer3129]

That great “look what we made” feeling coming from group activities like choir singing, set dancing etc - bonds

[@crooked-halo]

I don't know WHAT it is about this video. I'm into hardcore punk rock but this dancing and music is mesmerizing! I'm sure I'm not the only one who watches it regularly. I probably watch it at least once a week. Absolutely fascinating and enjoyable. Causes a longing for family, love, fun, and dedication to one's talent & hard work ethic.

[@jimmeven1120]

That was my reaction exactly. I never get tired of this video, it really is hypnotic. I wonder if those three million-plus views are the same three thousand people who've watched it a thousand times each! And I wonder whether the dancers had any idea that they would still be enthralling a worldwide audience half a century later.

[@mushroomcloud1]

Crooked Halo, listen to what your heart is telling you...You see it in this video. Family love and remembering your past and honoring your ancestors and traditions. After all, without great effort on the part of our ancestors, we wouldn't even be here. That is what is captured in this video and you feel it and so do I. Peace my friend.

[@danielhogue5669]

i completely agree,as mountain folk we would usually follow this with pray and some gospel songs,all singing together made us feel even closer.then home to pass out lol

[@DChristina]

Crooked Halo - it's lovely and does bring to mind all these fine qualities of life! ps- I was a teenage punk rocker 40 years ago lol

[@cedubs999]

Crooked Halo Me too! I watch this video when I need a lift. It represents a simpler time with clearer, cleaner values.

[@TheAndeegail]

My mothers aunts still do this type of dancing in the Ozark mountains. They're 80 years old...

[@jamiedeaton8205]

Arkansas!!! Or Missouri?

[@annetta7793]

I live in Ozark, Missouri and my famous great grandfather was Fiddlin' Sam Weatherman. He played for all the dances . . .

[@foggyozarkgal348]

@@annetta7793 Hey Annetta this is my other youtube account LOL ~this is Foggy OU812. i remember singing rounds to songs like Whispering Hope and singing 500 Miles, Old Blue, so many old folk songs so precious! Had great old reel to reel of these shindigs but unfortunately in '94 the closet we kept all memorabilia got taken away in a big tornado but the rest of the house was pretty OK. Just in the kitchen all mom's recipes in a little 5 by 3 note card container got swooped away too LOL it was like that tornado knew the things that were the nearest and dearest to my heart. Frank Jones could play Yankee Doodle Dandy and The Star Spangled banner at the same time on his banjo ~one on the drum and one on the arm! It was more jaw dropping than my dad doing the two-step on his hands LOL :) Nice to make acquaintance! i live real close to you too! Just north of Branson! Would love to meet you! i like to swim at Table Rock Dam and at the low water bridge in Walnut Shade off of 176 on Goodnight Hollow Road low bridge over Bull Creek! We should have a meet up. I play the guitar some and can harmonize a little too.

[@annetta7793]

@@foggyozarkgal348 Wow, you have a great memory if you can still remember the songs you sang! Yes, that even hurts my heart that the tornado took those things from you. I still have the card holder with my Momma's and Grandmother's (they farmed, and taught school, for many decades in Shannon County, Mo.) recipes. But I never learned to cook like them. They had to have been some of the best country cooks around! Yes, we must live within a few miles of each other. I'm up for getting together. But how and when?

[@user1.8.2.]

Oh, the INNOCENCE!!! The pure joy of living in the moment! Bring it back!

[@lisadolan689]

These people are all so happy ☺️ this is how life should be. Enjoying fun experiences with family and loved ones ☺️ I LOVE this❤

[@jennyb7745]

Unfortunately all was ruined by the arrival of Tv . . . ! That's progress for you folks. 🤔

[@arthurchristiansen8912]

Yes Jennyb. 100% Agree 😀 the GOOD OLD DAYS YarHoo 😃.

[@ChrisRubeo]

SLIGHTLY better than staring at a phone...

[@donaldjohn123]

It's like a piece of history captured forever.

[@privacy3116]

I'm Irish and this is all very like how we danced in the seventies. Definitely a close connection culturally,rhythm, music, even tge individual styles of the dancers. Freestyle . Thank you for this❤❤❤

[@hughmcnamara1790]

See many a session in the kitchens and sitting rooms in County Clare

[@higgme1ster]

I hope you know that the settlers of the Appalachian and Ozark Mountain ranges were Scots-Irish so that is the reason you feel that close connection. My paternal Grandmother was Scottish and my paternal Great Great Great Great Grandmother was Irish, the daughter of Robert Kyle (Born 1702 in County Tyrone, Ireland) & Betty Ann Campbell Kyle.

[@gehlen52]

I was 12 years old back then, this was really enjoyable. Some of those kids are my age now, 70.

[@michaeligoe3935]

These people are totally and utterly beautiful.

[@thomasoflaherty3520]

I was born on Inishmore, the largest of the 3 Aran Islands, off the west coast of Ireland. I recall as a boy in the 60's and through the 70's in our village hall each Friday night was step dancing, all that you see on this video took place. Men and women dancing together in a pair, under the arches, in a line and the emphasis of the feet always keeping rthymn. The musicians were fiddle players and the most revered of all, an accordion player. Such as well took place in people's homes. I now live in England and since my returns there from the 90's onwards sadly the old ways are dying out; this form of community dancing to even the Irish language not being spoken as much due to the effect of the outside world now living there and not choosing to learn the language. This, however, is a wondrous video and I can see and hear the Irish ancestors who headed to that part of America there. ps. If anybody loves wild islands, where the silence is deafening and the beauty serene head west, to The Aran Islands (all 3 of them), Ireland and find your peace.

[@therealtoni]

is there room on Aran for American retirees?

[@HanktheWonderDog]

My Grandad and his people came from coastal Ireland, settling eventually in Illinois, they became farmers and I remember the rolling up of the rugs and "cutting a rusty" is what he called it. He used to do calling, I can still dance like that when I get some liquid courage in me. I live in Maine now, a green, green place- where your soul can play it's song.

[@hooleyqueen]

Hey Thomas, I've been to two of the three Aran Islands. In fact I've been several times & took my (youngest) daughter twice to Ireland, and my son once. They both loved the Islands. We went to the Pub & sang rebel songs. I adore Ireland & have been 7 times. I am Irish & Italian. My Ma is Irish. There is a revival of Irish language with kids & adults learning to speak Irish at summer schools in the West (the Gaeltacht) so it will not die out.

[@thomasoflaherty3520]

therealtoni There are a few British retirees their, didn't encounter Americans though . In truth, with the island being but 9 miles long and 6 miles wide it is not spacious for many people to live and also the island is made of stone ie no trees barely present. Dark, cold and wet in the winter, beautiful in the summer. The other 2 Aran islands Inishmann and Inishere are even smaller!

[@thomasoflaherty3520]

hooleyqueen Irish AND Italian!! Now THAT'S a dangerous combination lol! Agree ala language, with the young especially seeking to want to learn it. My parents came to England in the early 60's and were native speakers from the island of Inishmore, my mother told me both me and my brother spoke only Irish in our early years on arrival in Englandl. Sadly they did not speak to us in the language as we grew up in England and we subsequently lost it. I did try to learn it here in England but found it impossible and know the only way is to return to the west of Ireland.

[@chananon8120]

The bowl cut and the dimples - she's adorable. These young folks should chime-in and give some info on this - they must all be 70ish

[@georgiosparcharidis5266]

I have watched this video 100 times and can’t get enough. Great genuine people, beauty in their hearts and culture

[@kubanking]

I still can't explain it. I'm a New York/Miami city guy with a thick Brooklyn accent. I simply can't explain why this music moves me. I'm drawn to this magical stuff like a moth to a flame. Just some of the best music I've ever heard. I Thank God that this part of America is still alive and well. 

[@piercewilliams6284]

JC I agree GOD bless you and America!

[@autumnkeller443]

I dont know if it is still alive. I had some cousins clog, but I'm almost 40 and I dont think their kids clog. 17 18 years ago I did some contra dancing because it was making a comeback, but I dont think there are many families doing this anymore. (I'm from kentucky)

[@darwindarwin141]

Memory of a previous life maybe ?

[@henryjohnfacey8213]

just amazing I'm from the north of England we do traditional clog dancing here. We have different types of clogs different areas different styles for different Jobs. The steps are very similar. Up until recently I was able to listen into US Saturday night radio shows and so pleased to see these traditions are still being kept up and not lost. l often tune into the library of Congress exploring, listening. I liked Connie Dover explaining Irish/Scottish influence. Thank you for posting very grateful.

[@grantmourning189]

They probobly do this more in the south east where this was filmed. Living in minnesota near Canada i've never hear of clogging. Definately the highest density to scots-Irish is in south east United States.

[@markberryhill2715]

"Song of the Mountains" on PBS is one of the best for bluegrass. Tune in Saturday nights at 8 or 9 EST.

[@alicialund1616]

I watch this video every few months just to cheer me up!

[@1KemosabeLarry]

Fantastic. Now kids do not have a clue.

[@amypaparone55]

I could watch this for hours! The dancing, the spectators, the musicians, everyone is enjoying it a different way. If I was there I’d be smiling ear to ear! This was so great! 😍

[@CadillacL]

That makes two of us

[@grahamgisby]

Amy, I do watch it for hours cumulatively, like twice a day every day. It's just so wholesome, happy and good old family values. Who needs aerobics? I see the one-eyed TV monster in the corner, but then they used to know how to balance life in those days. Additionally, we all focus on the marvellous dancers, but without the sheer virtuosity of these musicians, it would not have been so very, very special!

[@cathypoole3015]

Bascom Lamar Lunsford was my grandpa's brother. We used to go the festival a lot when I was a kid. The first time I saw this clip, taken at his house, it was on a show about him on PBS. I just love watching these people dance. It makes me so happy.

[@user-nd5jc8xv8v]

Im here in Scotland. Im older and the country has changed so much. The American cloggers are brill in my eyes. They sure know how to make their connections to the motherland felt. I wish they would all come back here and cheer the place up.

[@creekyknee]

It would take more than an inbred low IQ yank to cheer up the sweaty jocks. You are what you eat, less deep fried food might help with your depression levels.

[@faerieSAALE]

Only vibrant young folks can dance like that full of energy for so long. Love the young ladies...every one of them is beautiful.

[@trevormaughan9991]

The spirit of what made America the greatest country on earth is right there in these peoples faces, fantastic. Englander.

[@slantsix6344]

The Ulster Scots

[@thomasoflaherty3520]

@@slantsix6344 Irish actually

[@tedriordan5008]

what makes America the greatest country on earth ... such shite

[@tonyjames5444]

@@thomasoflaherty3520 So I guess the fact that the Protestant religion is dominant in the South goes completely over your head? I can assure you that people in places like Alabama, Georgia, Texas and countless other States were in those times extremely anti Catholic.

[@cindylopez6561]

tony james yes, and this was true for Oklahoma as well. I was born in 1959 and there was a lot of anti-Catholicism. I was probably the only Lopez who was not Catholic!

[@jameskirk2579]

God bless America. Love from france, Paris.

[@mmiovich1959]

I just think it's wonderful to see young people enjoying themselves without being under the influence of drugs ..Thankyou so very much for this delightful clip !!

[@ganndeber1621]

I am from the North West of the UK and in the eighties I remember dances like this. What a small world

[@mamieswain5423]

I am an African American from down south I love clogging and blue grass best I ever seen on this video how old is it

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

Read the description please. David Hoffman - filmmaker

[@themermaidstale5008]

Mamie It was recorded in 1965.

[@romancewiththepast7979]

@@themermaidstale5008 Thank you I was wondering what year this was recorded.

[@coolenaam]

I love this! And I can't believe all this is being lost. You can really see the influence of Scottish and Irish ancestry.

[@terencemagee]

@C caymer To be more exact, those people came from the kingdom of Dalriada, which covered the eastern part of County Antrim(including my namesake Island Magee)and the western seashore of ´Scotland´(Hebridean Islands like Skye, Mull of Kintyre and others). Very rich Gaelic country - that´s where the powerful music and dancing comes from!

[@johnmccormick8159]

@C caymer I think the commenter was being general about the origins of the people in the film, but I agree with you. I think a lot of people don't know that Catholic Highlander Scots (persecuted after the Reformation) and Irish (mostly Catholic) were not welcome in the almost entirely Protestant United States.

[@royandjacqueline1294]

I believe that of Elvis 🕺Elvis has great taste in music 😃❣️🕊️🔥✝️

[@ttintagel]

Yeah, I don't think there's much of s chance of completely loosing these elements of culture. There's a clog dancing club right at the University where I worked until very recently.

[@nigelmitchell351]

Clogging is not exclusive to the Scots and Irish, it's traditions are from all over the British Isles.

[@begoodbebetterbeblessedix3766]

I so badly want to jump into this group of family and dance with them

[@talltexan6432]

As being a Scots-Irish generational Texas man and growing up with this, I say lets do it.

[@begoodbebetterbeblessedix3766]

@talltexan6432 Wohoo! I have a partner. Now this gal gotta go find and dust off my 35 year old Stetson 😉 ☺️🌹

[@melnsc6934]

Me too!!

[@Meridian24]

Even though I'm not from that part of the world, the spirit is palpable, through time and film. What a gift!

[@deanwal1962]

I come from Lancashire in England where clog dancing used to be a tradition; now it has died. Thank you for keeping some form of it alive :). I loved the video.

[@themermaidstale5008]

Try to start a revival. It all starts with one person’s spark.

[@randyrussell6246]

As a buck dancer and clogger myself,,,,,,,I love it ,,,,,,and I feel it. But as a carpenter and a builder I am more impressed ! I have danced in several living rooms and great rooms with family and friends , but when you get four or more dancing in the same rythem , the floor joist flex and vibrations run up the walls ! We have to remove the pictures and other wall hangings from the wall,,,,,,,even the back side of walls in the room you dance. Just look at the wall hangings in this home , look at the number of dancers dancing out the rythem ! It's a struggle for me when it comes to dancing and well built structures cause it's hard to pick which I love the most ! From the heart of the Smokies , God Bless

[@melnsc6934]

I didn't think about this but it makes sense. Probably the best "stage" there is for this type of dancing. You can feel it even through the video.

[@christinechandler5690]

I think it is wonderful to see men dancing and enjoying being in the moment and being proud of their culture. 😊

[@EdsWorld56]

Ulster Scots (aka Scots Irish) to the core. The music, how they dance snd how they look. Who said Preebyterians couldnt have fun! Wonderful.

[@stephenmcginn6872]

I return to this so many times for so many reasons. For me this footage is so very important. Not just to show American culture but to clearly identify the influence of Irish and Scottish jigs and reels. Then to see the impact upon the lives of those generations of Appalachian folks is amazing..even now. Their love of the music and the steps has kept the dance alive. Worthy of the Smithsonian if that’s where the culture of the US is to be recorded and retained. Quite quite wonderful.

[@hetrodoxlysonov-wh9oo]

It's English clogging and English jigs.

[@stephenmcginn6872]

Not so sure about that my friend. This dancing cane to England due to the Irish diaspora and clearly is seen in the places where the Irish settled

[@hetrodoxlysonov-wh9oo]

@@stephenmcginn6872 There's no tradition of wearing clogs in Ireland, girls tapping their clogs (English clogs wooden soles leather uppers) to the beat of the looms, started to spark their clogs on the cobbles in northern England, step dancing was done all over the British isles, every inn in England had a plate and every area it's own steps, there's no evidence the Irish step danced before the rest of the British isles, try tracing 'Irish dancing' back before the 1920s as it's done today.

[@stephenmcginn6872]

hetrodoxly sonov . No Irish dancing before 1920!!! Yer kidding? Well agree to differ

[@hetrodoxlysonov-wh9oo]

@@stephenmcginn6872 No i said see if you can trace Irish dancing 'in it's present form' before 1920, the 1790-1810 census shows the vast majority of settlers to the Appalachians were English, followed by Scottish, some households state Scottish and English, Welsh and English, 10 Welsh households, 8 German Household 1 French and no Irish.

[@Mr.Deko86]

That was pretty cool. Unknowingly, we used this step in the late 80's in NYC while dancing to house music. This is wild. This video could be paired to a classic house beat and it would go perfect. Never let this die out. It's part of the classic American culture. 👍👍👍

[@swicked86]

I love that you were able to correlate this with step! Nice to see someone else noticed how much closer everything is together than different.

[@Mr.Deko86]

@@swicked86 thank you. I had to rewind when I first watched it. I had one of those "hey wait a minute" moments. And yes, as the saying goes: the more things change, the more they stay the same.

[@alicequayle4625]

Does the step have a name in house dance?

[@Mr.Deko86]

@@alicequayle4625 great question. I cannot remember off the top of my head.

[@stinkstank5177]

Nice to see all the smiles on the children’s faces having so much fun!

[@jimdaw65]

You'll notice, though, that most of the girls are smiling, enjoying the dance, whereas most of the boys are stony-faced, concentrating on their steps, and looking good. 'Twas ever thus :-)