Introducing the first members of the EGO "Paying It Forward" program.
Gracie Tudan and Matt McGovern singing EGO 701 - Don't Go Breaking My Heart
Matt McGovern - Ludlow, Massachusetts
Matt has been involved in the square dance activity for almost a decade! After going to a few square dances with his grandmother in early 2004, he decided that the activity was something he wanted to be apart of. Matt took lessons that Fall and graduated the following Spring. In January of 2006, not even a year after graduating from square dance lessons, Matt decided it was time to pick up a microphone. With a passion for singing, and a love of this new-found activity, it seemed like the right thing to do! Fast forward eight years later, Matt's calling career has taken off and now calls for clubs all around New England. It's been a great ride for him, and he looks forward to being involved in the activity for many more years to come. Visit his website www.mattmcgovern.net
Gracie Tudan - Bath, Maine
Gracie is a native “Mainah” who grew up in Bath, Maine just a few miles from the beautiful Maine coast. Not totally new to music, Gracie sang with her church choir for many years and was active with teaching music to children during the short Maine summer camp season. Gracie spent time working at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida where she was exposed to showmanship on a grand scale.
Grace was introduced to Square Dancing just a short twenty four months ago. A quick study, she started learning to call almost immediately. She has received enthusiastic support from both the dancers and other callers in Maine which has allowed her to progress at a rapid pace. Gracie has attended two caller schools and currently calls each week for the Pine Cone Reelers in Augusta, Maine. Her sweet mellow voice makes her a favorite wherever she calls. |
EGO 701 - Don't Go Breaking My HeartEGO 701 - Don't Go Breaking My Heart (Elton John and Kiki Dee) Called by: Gracie Tudan and Matt McGovernMatt and Gracie "du-et right" with this Elton John/Kiki Dee classic. Multiple extra tracks allow you to sing solo, or with either Gracie or Matt. They can sing a full duet with you, or just join you on the tags! Congratulations Matt and Gracie!
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About Matt, Gracie, and the "EGO Pays It Forward" program...
When I started this "EGO Pays It Forward" program, I did it with people like Matt and Gracie in mind. Good "kids" trying to step up in the activity. (It makes me feel so old saying that!) There weren't a lot of opportunities for young callers when I started back in 1988. Square dancing had peaked a dozen years before, and the numbers weren't what they once were. The callers running weekends and festivals found their numbers going down. They had to huddle together and combine events to keep them profitable. Sadly numbers of dancers continued to go down, and an entire generation of callers never took that "next step". The talent was there but opportunities were limited. When you look at a table full of flyers today, you see the same names and faces that you did 25 years ago.
Years later, another generation is here, and leaders have finally woken up to the fact that without new blood, there won't be anyone to lead in the future. New callers like Hunter Keller, Justin Russell, Ashley Parker, Adam Christman and others have all been introduced to enthusiastic dancers in the past few years. We've still got lots of work to do, and since I don't want to just "talk the talk", please meet Matt and Gracie.
I've known Matt McGovern for several years. He was a cute kid when he started at 14. He had a nice singing voice and lots of bling! Over the past several years, he has developed into a very good caller. He's one of the busiest callers in the Northeast and as he finishes college I'm sure he'll be getting out around the world a lot more. Matt is a good promoter. He features young dancers on video on YouTube. He understands that new blood is what the activity needs, and he's doing his part to help.
I've known Gracie Tudan a much shorter time, but when challenged, she stepped up and I immediately recognized her natural musical talent. Gracie is much greener than Matt, and she's not yet ready to go out and call the "big dances" yet, but with her fantastic attitude and drive, I'm confident she will be in the near future.
Please keep an eye out for Matt and Gracie in the future, and congratulations to them both for being selected for the "2014 EGO Pays It Forward" program!
Years later, another generation is here, and leaders have finally woken up to the fact that without new blood, there won't be anyone to lead in the future. New callers like Hunter Keller, Justin Russell, Ashley Parker, Adam Christman and others have all been introduced to enthusiastic dancers in the past few years. We've still got lots of work to do, and since I don't want to just "talk the talk", please meet Matt and Gracie.
I've known Matt McGovern for several years. He was a cute kid when he started at 14. He had a nice singing voice and lots of bling! Over the past several years, he has developed into a very good caller. He's one of the busiest callers in the Northeast and as he finishes college I'm sure he'll be getting out around the world a lot more. Matt is a good promoter. He features young dancers on video on YouTube. He understands that new blood is what the activity needs, and he's doing his part to help.
I've known Gracie Tudan a much shorter time, but when challenged, she stepped up and I immediately recognized her natural musical talent. Gracie is much greener than Matt, and she's not yet ready to go out and call the "big dances" yet, but with her fantastic attitude and drive, I'm confident she will be in the near future.
Please keep an eye out for Matt and Gracie in the future, and congratulations to them both for being selected for the "2014 EGO Pays It Forward" program!