Featured Caller Randy
Dougherty
Randy began square dancing at the age
of nine as a result of the involvement of his parents in the activity. When he was 15, he
broke his leg playing football and was laid up for six months; it was during this time
that he was inspired by Ken Bower to give calling a try. Unable to dance, he occupied his
time practicing singing calls. In 1967, he attended the Central Iowa Caller's Clinic in
Des Moines, Iowa.
For the next twelve years Randy called square dances in Minnesota and surrounding states
while he finished high school, college, and while teaching at Fridley Grace High School.
During his summer breaks he found himself traveling farther and farther from home, and in
1979 he left his teaching position to devote full time to calling. From 1979 to 1986 he
called on a regular basis for seven home clubs in the Minneapolis area, and broadened his
traveling circuit to include much of the United States and many foreign countries. In
1986, Randy left Minnesota for the warmer climes of Arizona. Currently, he runs a busy
dance program in Mesa during the winter season: in summer he tours the United States,
Canada, and frequent foreign calling trips. Randy served on the Board of Governors of
Callerlab for twelve years and was on the Executive Committee for two years. He is a
recording artist for Royal Records and some of his latest recordings consist of: Sally Was
A Good Ol' Girl, Yellow Polka Dot Bikini, Why Don't You Love Me Like You Used To Do, I'm
Looking At The World Through A Windshield, This Train, It's Who You Know, Angels Among Us
(Global Records), Irresistible You (Global Records), Petticoat Junction, My Baby Thinks
She's a Train, Right Back Where I Started Once Again. Randy FIRMLY believes when we put
the "F s" back into Square Dancing FUN, FAMILY, & FELLOWSHIP we will again
enjoy the crowds of yesteryear.