Tony Kelly, barn dance caller

A barn dance is a fun evening for people of all ages and no experience is required -- just a willingness to join in. I have extensive experience of all these events and can lead newcomers gently into the swing of things.

I have been a caller for barn dances since the early 1970s in London and Essex. Now based in north west Surrey, I travel across the south east from Southampton in the west to Tunbridge Wells in the east; from Watford in the north to Bognor Regis in the south.

I will arrange the music, all you have to do is to arrange the venue and the guests. If your budget won't stretch to a live band recorded music makes an acceptable alternative and provides a very enjoyable evening.

I work regularly with the following bands:
Poggleswood, from Chandlers Ford, Hants
Ring O'Bells, based in Croydon
Rogue Gallery , from Camberley, Surrey
And have worked with many others.

Some comments from clients:

"Many thanks for a memorable night"
JC, London

"It was such a fantastic evening and everyone really loved having the dancing! We have received so many great messages about how good it was to have you all there. Many people also commented on how professional and talented you all were - so thank you "
Z & C, London

"The evening was wonderful and so many people have said how much they enjoyed it. ... We felt that your style, friendly manner and clear instructions were brilliant and no one felt pressurised to get up but they just did because it was so much fun"
Mrs T, Surrey

"thank so much for a memorable and brilliant evening. Everyone had a great time it was a lovely way for all of our friends family to meet each other. We will definitely be recommending you - you were great and you managed to get the most stubborn "non-dancers" the dance floor! We have many requests for a repeat performance"
D & W, Hampshire

"..a thoroughly enjoyable evening, we will you to all our friends "
Mr & Mrs J, Kent

"Thanks for the excellent evening's entertainment at our son's wedding your accommodating attitude made us all feel at ease and all our guests thoroughly enjoyed the dancing "
Mr and Mrs B, Surrey

"..everyone had a thoroughly enjoyable evening"
Mrs D, Middlesex

"... express thanks and gratitude for helping to a lovely happy evening where everyone the dancing " - Mr and Mrs F, Surrey "Thank you for helping to make 8 August so special"
N & L, Kent

"Everyone had a great time and you really made it with a swing"
Mrs M, Hertfordshire

The Technical Stuff:
I travel with a 100 watt pa system that is suitable for most village halls or hotel ballrooms. For school halls of if the hall is larger than normal I bring a 300 watt system. For larger venues more powerful amplification can be hired if necessary.

I also travel with spare equipment (just in case!).

If working with recorded music I use CDs and am happy to play your CDs before the dance or during the interval
I am licenced annually by Phonographic Performance Ltd for the use of recorded music.

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