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Music
 
Music
 

Lee Helsel 
Square Dance Caller, Round Dance Cuer, Article Author
Lee Helsel in Square Dance Hall Of Fame  hall-of-fame.squaredancehistory.org
 
ID: 362

Lee Helsel  

Involved in square dancing since 1946, Lee Helsel saw the development of Modern Western Square Dancing as it transitioned from the more traditional dance forms. Lee traveled and called in virtually every state and in many Canadian provinces. In 1960, the US Air Force sent Lee to Germany and other countries in Europe and North Africa to help formalize American square dance programs overseas.

Together with his wife, Mary, Lee played an important role in caller and leadership training, developing an outstanding plan of instruction for new callers and serving on the staffs of callers schools and clinics. Although a popular figure at some of the nation's great square dance events and vacation institutes, the Helsels put their home club and class calling and teaching at the top of their list of priorities.

A recording artist on the Sets in Order label and author of many published articles on square dancing, Lee has truly been a pioneer in the contemporary phases of the activity. In October 1970, Lee was inducted into the Square Dance Hall of Fame, and in February 1971 was present as one of the founding members of Callerlab and was the author of the original Callerlab organizational document including the constitution and by-laws. He served as a member of the Board of Governors and the Executive Committee. Lee received the Milestone Award in 1979 and the Gold Card in 1980. Lee retired from calling in June, 1980.


SIO's Article: Imagine if you can being caller for a club whose members included such people as Danny Kaye, Alan Reed (the voice of Flintstone), Ronald Coleman, Preston Foster, Ralph Edwards, Milburn Stone and Dinah Shore. This, among many vivid recollections was part of Lee Helsel's early experiences during 25 years of calling. Another highlight was a calling and teaching swing through Europe in 1960 for the U.S. Military. A life-long career in recreation and administration has put Lee in an ideal position to present leadership training to callers and dancers throughout the world. Today, he somehow manages to combine home club and class schedules and frequent personal calling assignments across the country with his full time responsibility as Program Administrator for the California Division of Mental Retardation. Because of his countless unselfish contributions to this activity we welcome him to the Square Dance Hall of Fame and add the Gene Anthony portrait to the Gallery.

If you have any additional pertinent information about this person, please Contact Debbie.

Recordings by Lee Helsel:
Sets In Order    Windsor    MacGregor    Kalox   
 
After You've Gone  (sample clip) (cue sheet) (lyrics)  Singing Call, Sets In Order 136
 
Alabama Jubilee  (sample clip) (cue sheet) (lyrics)  Singing Call, Windsor 4903
 
Around The World / Lazy River  (comments) (sample clip) (cue sheet) (lyrics)  Singing Call (two instrumentals) -- with Billy Lewis, Kalox 1238
 
Baby Won't You Please Come Home / Star Box  (sample clip)  Singing Call (two vocals), Sets In Order 1116
 
Billy  (sample clip) (cue sheet)  Singing Call, Sets In Order 116
 
Bundle Of Sunshine  (sample clip) (cue sheet) (lyrics)  Singing Call, MacGregor 2067
 
Chords Galore  (sample clip) (cue sheet)  Singing Call, Sets In Order 122
 
Corner Line / Squaremurder  (comments) (sample clip)  Singing Call (two vocals), Sets In Order 1120
 
Cotton Candy / Square Dance Time  (cue sheet)  Singing Call, Sets In Order 2107
 
Flexible Chords  (comments) (sample clip) (cue sheet)  Singing Call, MacGregor 2050
 
Good Advice  (sample clip) (cue sheet)  Singing Call, Windsor 4876
 
I Double Dare You  (sample clip) (cue sheet)  Singing Call, Sets In Order 111
 
I Like You  (sample clip) (cue sheet)  Singing Call, MacGregor 2060
 
I'm Walking The Floor Over You / Farewell, So Long, Goodbye  (sample clip) (cue sheet)  Singing Call (two instrumentals), Sets In Order 2108
 
I'm Walking The Floor Over You / Farewell, So Long, Goodbye  (cue sheet) (lyrics)  Singing Call, Sets In Order 1105
 
I've Got A Hammer  (sample clip) (cue sheet) (lyrics)  Singing Call, Sets In Order 148
 
It's All Over Now / Back Woods  (sample clip) (cue sheet)  Singing Call (vocal) + Patter, Sets In Order 1112
 
Lazy River  (comments) (sample clip) (cue sheet) (lyrics)  Singing Call, Kalox 1051
 
Lazy River / Ends Turn In / I Don't Know Why / Outing  (cue sheet) (lyrics)  Singing Call (instrumental) + Patter, Sets In Order 501
 
Lazy River / Waitin' For The Train To Come In  (sample clip) (cue sheet) (lyrics)  Singing Call (two instrumentals), Sets In Order 2112
 
Lazy River / Waitin' For The Train To Come In  (sample clip) (cue sheet) (lyrics)  Singing Call (two vocals), Sets In Order 1109
 
Lida Rose  (sample clip) (cue sheet) (lyrics)  Singing Call, Sets In Order 141
 
Morkords  (comments) (sample clip)  Patter, Sets In Order 131
 
One Time Too Many  (cue sheet)  Singing Call, Sets In Order 1111  On our wish list
 
Paying Off The Interest  (sample clip) (cue sheet)  Singing Call, Kalox 1042
 
Pazzo-Pazzo / The Saints  (sample clip)  Round (two-sided) -- with Kenny & Dolly Walker, Sets In Order 3125
 
Peg O' My Heart  (sample clip) (cue sheet) (lyrics)  Singing Call, Sets In Order 106
 
Someday Sweetheart  (sample clip) (cue sheet)  Singing Call, Sets In Order 108
 
Sometimes  (sample clip) (cue sheet)  Singing Call, Windsor 4897
 
Sweet Georgia Brown / Anniversary Two Step (Progressive)  (sample clip)  Round (two-sided), Sets In Order 3115
 
Toot Toot Tootsie  (sample clip) (cue sheet) (lyrics)  Singing Call, Kalox 1065
 
Why Don't We Do This More Often  (sample clip) (cue sheet) (lyrics)  Singing Call, Sets In Order 125
 
Wishing / I Don't Know Why  (cue sheet) (lyrics)  Singing Call (two vocals), Sets In Order 1119
 
You Didn't Want Me  (sample clip) (cue sheet)  Singing Call, Windsor 4885

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