 Sara West Kemp – 1998 Born in Moore County on September 1, 1970, Sarah began shagging at age 11. She is a 9 time National Shag Dance Champion (including Junior, Non-Pro and Professional categories). She is a 2 time Overall National Shag Champion, a 2 time U.S. Open Champion, 6 time Grand Nationals Champion, and an American Swing Champion. Sarah appeared in the movie “Shag” and the Alabama video “Shaggin on the Boulevard”. As a 6 time member of the National Shag Dance Championships Dance Team, Sarah won team championships in the U.S. Open, the American Swing Championships and the Grand Nationals. Sarah is past recipient of the Shad Alberty Award at the Cammy’s. |
 Sam West – 1998 Born in Moore County on September 14, 1972, Sam began shagging at age 9. He is a 10 time National Shag Dance Champion (including Junior, Non-Pro and Professional categories). He has won 7 consecutive Nation Shag Dance Professional Titles, is a 4 time Overall Champion, a 2 time U.S. open Champion, a 6 time Grand National Champion and an American Swing Champion. Sam appeared in the movie “Shag” and the Alabama video “Shaggin on the Boulevard”. As a 7 time member of the National Shag Dance Championships Dance Team, Sam won team championships in the U.S. Open, the American Swing Championships and the Grand Nationals. A Shad Alberty Award recipient at the Cammy’s, Sam continues to promote the dance thru teaching and his Shad Alberty Winter Shag Dance Classic |
 Kristin Leggett – 1999 Born in Laurinburg, NC on November 27, 1976, Kristin began shagging at the age of 5. As a Junior Shagger, she and her partner William Greene were honored by the S.C. House of Representatives as Outstanding Junior Shaggers for their contribution to and promotion of the shag. She has participated in many fund raisers and benefits on behalf of shag. Kristin appeared in the movie “Shag” and on the Good Morning America TV show and has judged National Shag Competition. As a member of the National Shag Dance Championships Dance Team for 6 years, she won team championships in the Grand Nationals and the American Swing Championships. The winner of 3 Nationals Championships as a junior, Kristin has never placed lower than 4th in National Competition. In 1995, Kristin and her partner William Greene were honored with the Shagger’s Magazine Industry Appreciation Award as Male and Female National Junior Shag Champions. |
 Jimmy Caruso – 1999 Born in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. on April 11, 1969, Jimmy started shagging at age 11. He appeared in the Movie “Shag” in 1986 and in 1992 appeared in the musical version. A finalist for 17 years in the National Shag Dance Championships, Jimmy was 1986 Junior II National Champion, 1993 S.C. State Champion and 1993 Shag Preservation Association Amateur Points Champion. As a 6 time member of the National Shag Dance Championships Dance Team, Jimmy won team championships in the U.S. Open, The American Swing Championships and the Grand Nationals. He also appeared in the Alabama video “Shaggin on the Boulevard”. |
 Jennifer Beaver – 2000 Jennifer was born in Statesville, N.C. on February 7, 1974. The daughter of the late beloved Shag music DJ, Harold Beaver, she began dancing at the age of 10. She won the National Shag Dance Championships title in the Junior II Division in 1992 and, with partner Geoff Burdick, was judged 2nd overall in the competition. Jennifer is a member of the Competitive Shaggers Association and serves on the Board of Directors. She and partner Joey Sogluizzo were 2001 and 2002 SPA/CSA Professional Points Champions. A member of the National Shag Dance Championships Dance Team for 7 years and co-captain and choreographer for 2 years; she won team championships in the U.S. Open and the Grand Nationals. She was also a member of the 1999 U.S. Open Champion Shag Team “Duck’s Dirty Dozen”. Jennifer and her father Harold were winners of the National Shag Dance Championships Father-Daughter Contest in 2001. |
 David Campbell – 2000 Born on May 26, 1969 at Fort Walton Beach, Florida, David started shagging at age 10 and was one of the original “Junior” shaggers. Prior to the origination of a Junior Shag circuit, he regularly did exhibitions at Professional Shag contests. Once Junior competition began, david was undefeated for three years. He appeared in the movie “Shag” and also danced in a national automobile commercial. David was amember of the 1999 U.S. Open Champion Shag team “Duck’s Dirty Dozen” |
 Leslie Williamson – 2001 Born in Walterboro, S.C. on January 28, 1972. Leslie began shagging at the age of 10. As a Junior shagger she represented the State of S.C. at the National Parks and Tourism Department’s Southeastern Hoedown in Washington, D.C. and danced before the National Governor’s Association Conference in Beaufort, S.C. Leslie along with her partner, Matt Free was a principal dancer in the movie “Shag”. As Junior shaggers, she and Matt won 43 consecutive contest and were 2 time Junior National Champions. |
 Matt Free – 2001 Born in Cottageville, S.C. on May 7, 1972, Matt began shagging at age 7. As a Junior shagger he represented the State of S.C. at the National Governor’s Association Conference in Beaufort, S.C. and National Parks and Tourism Department’s Southeastern Hoedown in Washington, D.C. Along with his partner Leslie Williamson, Matt was a dance instructor for and a principle dancer in the movie “Shag”. Matt and Leslie won 43 consecutive Junior Shag contests and were 2 time Junior national Champions. |
 William Greene – 2001 Born in Thomasville, N.C. April 7, 1977, “Willie G” as he is known by his peers, started dancing at age 12. As a Junior shagger, William danced in the movie “Hellraiser III” and on Good Morning America, appeared in a National automobile commercial and several music CD commercials. In 1993, he and partner Kristen Leggett were honored by the S.C. House of Representatives as Outstanding Junior Shaggers for their contribution to and promotion of shag. As a member of the National Shag Dance Championship Dance Team for 6 years, he won team championships in the Grand Nationals and the American Swing Championships. The winner of 3 National Championships as a Junior, William has never placed lower than 3rd in National Shag Competition. At the 1995 Cammy Awards presentations, William and his partner Kristen Leggett received the Shagger’s Magazine Industry Appreciation Award as Male and Female National Junior Shag Champions. |
 Beth Mitchell – 2002 Born in Greensboro, N.C. on October 7, 1972, Beth learned the basic at the age of 9. By the time she was 15, she had become a serious Shagger and a member of the Junior Shagger’s Association. As a competitor, her partners included many of the best of the best shaggers such as Brent Key, Sam West and David Campbell. She participated in 2 national Shag Dance Championships, winning the Non-Pro National title with Brad Kinard in 1998. After her tragic and untimely death that same year, the National Shag Dance Championships established the Beth Mitchell Memorial Scholarship Fund. This Fund annually provides scholarships to worthy shaggers to pursue higher education. |
 Terri Alberty Wilson – 2002 Born in Charlotte, N.C. on February 14, 1971, as the daughter of shag legends Shad and Brenda Alberty, Terri was destined to become a dancer. Although her parents never “pushed” her, Terri secretly learned the basic while doing her homework during Shad and Brenda’s shag classes. At about 12, she surprised her dad one day after a contest when she asked him to dance with her. Soon Terri began dancing in contests and first won in 1986 at the O.D. Pub in N. Myrtle Beach with her partner Sam West. She also appeared and danced in the movie “Shag”. She later became a 2 time National Junior Champion with Sam and was judged 2nd in the Overall National Competition on both occasions. |
 Geoff Burdick – 2002 Born in Fayetteville, N.C. on May 9, 1972, Geoff started shagging at age 17 in order to meet girls. He danced in his first contest in 1990 and 2 years later won the Junior II Division of the National Shag Dance Championships with partner Jennifer Beaver and was judged 2nd in the overall competition. As a member of the Junior Shaggers Association, he danced in many benefits for charity including the Ronald McDonald House. Geoff won the Non-Pro Division of the National Shag Dance Championships in 1995 and is a 3 time member of the National Shag Dance Championships Dance Team. |
 Carol Gurley Salzmann – 2003 Born in Richmond, V.A. on February 11, 1965, Carol grew up watching her dad (Hall of Fame Charles Gurley) practice with door knobs and the refrigerator. She learned to dance free style on the male foot. After moving to Raleigh, N.C. and watching couples dance, she changed to the female foot, but continued to learn all the male lead steps. One of the first “Junior Shaggers”, Carol and her partner Warren Squires danced in the first junior contest at Mint Julep’s in Wilmington, N.C. at the age of 14. For the next four years, she and Warren danced all over North and South Carolina at all the favorite beach clubs such as the “Bushes”; “Fat Boys”; “Bogies”; “Groucho’s”; “Harold’s” and “Fat Jacks”. She “retired” from Junior Shagging at the age of 18, undefeated. Always a favorite partner of all the male Pros, her most admired female dancers were Babs Grant and Sandra Schwartz. Carol credits her love of the dance, the music, and her natural rhythm to her No. 1 hero, her dad, Charles Gurley. |
 Kenneth Charles Calcutt, Jr.- 2003 Born in Florence, S. C. on October 20, 1966, Kenneth is the son of Hall of Famer Charles Calcutt. He started shagging in the summer of 1982 after attending a shag contest that his dad was judging. After watching the Junior couples dance, he began taking lessons and started competing. He and his steady partner Stephanie Heavener never finished lower than 2nd in any contest. In 1983, Kenneth placed 2nd in the Junior Division of the Beach Music Awards and he and Stephanie won the 1984 Junior Division of the National Shag Dance Championships. Placing 4th in the overall scoring, he bested his mom and dad, who placed 5th. In 1985, Kenneth and Stephanie won the Non-pro Division of the National Shag Dance Championships and in 1986 danced in the movie “Shag”. Kenneth is now happily married, living in Summerville, S. C. and has one child, Sarah. |
 Mandy Holt - 2004 Born in Eden, N. C. on October 14, 1974, Mandy started shagging at the age of 14. After watching Junior couples dance at a local contest, she was “hooked” and started lessons with Susie Beaver, competing in Junior contests until she was 20. A past board member of the Junior Shaggers Association and member of the Competitive Shaggers Association, Mandy is a two-time non-pro National Champion, a recipient of the Beth Mitchell Scholarship and a past member of the National Shag Dance Championships Dance Team. She danced in the Country Music Show “Hot Trips” and in the Alabama video “Shaggin’ on the Boulevard”. Mandy placed second in the 2001 North Atlantic Swing Dance Championships and in 2004, with partner Scott Campbell, placed second in the pro division of the National Shag Dance Championships and the USA Grand National Championships. |
 Chris Stephenson - 2004 Born in High Point, N. C. on July 5, 1966, Chris started shagging at the age of 14 and became one of the original SPA “Junior Shaggers”, competing during the years of 1980 – 1984. What he lacked in natural talent, Chris made up in style. After working with “Cadillac” Jack Smith, he won first place at The Bushes Beach Club in Greensboro, N. C. and at Fatboy’s in Rockingham, N. C. He competed in the Junior Division of the first National Shag Dance Championships and was also a featured dancer in the movie “Shag”. Chris’s teachers and greatest inspirations were Shad Alberty, Jack Smith, Charles Gurley, Milton Nowell, Sam McIntosh, and his mother, Judy. Chris sometimes misses the competition, but the one thing he doesn’t miss are those double knit, tight fitting “Boogie Britches”. |
 Patrick Hiatt - 2004 Born in Monroe, N. C. on March 17, 1972, Patrick, now known as Patrick Muscatello, learned the basic at age 9 from his mother, Carol and stepfather, Bobby. He danced in the first ever Junior contest at “The Bushes” in 1981, becoming a mainstay at shag contests throughout both Carolinas, dancing in exhibitions for fun and charities. Chosen as one of the Juniors to attend the South Carolina Governor’s proclamation of the Shag as the Official State Dance in 1984, he also appeared in the movie “Shag”, People magazine in 1988, and later in the book, Shag, The Dance Legend. Patrick competed in the National Shag Dance Championships in 1989, 1990 and 1992, the Grand Nationals in 1996, and taught youngsters the shag in North Carolina and Tennessee. Patrick credits former pros Jack Smith, Joe Putnam, Charles Gurley, Jet Jackson and Bob Myrick as his greatest influences. |
 Jessica McAlhany - 2005 Born in Charleston, S. C. on March 30, 1979, Jessica began shagging at age 12 when her Aunt Joyce took her to a Junior Contest at Duck’s in North Myrtle Beach, S. C. She soon took lessons from John and Joan English, began competing, and with partner Josh Smith, won her first junior Contest in Charleston, S.C. in 1993. Jessica then began dancing with Grayson Smith and placed 2nd in her first National Shag Dance Championships in 1994. A 2-time Grand National Champion in the Junior and Pro Division, Jessica was also a member of the National Shag Dance Championships Dance Team for five years and traveled and competed in S.C., N.C., New York, Tennessee and California winning numerous Team Championships. She appeared in the Alabama music video “Shaggin’ on the Boulevard”; the Crook and Chase TV show and the Cammy Awards. A Dewey Kennedy Scholarship winner in 2000 and graduate of the University of South Carolina in 2001, Jessica continues to love the dance, the music and the people. |
 Michael Norris - 2005 Born in Tarboro, N. C. on April 20, 1979, Michael started dancing at age 11 at the behest of his aunt and uncle, David and Gail Well, and his cousin Wade Adler. He competed in his 1st National Shag Dance Championships at age 12, winning the junior 1 Division. In 1993, Michael began dancing with his present partner and now fiancée, LeAnn Best. Under the skilled direction of Judy Eastwood, Jackie McGee and Charlie Womble, Michael became a champion shagger. A 9-time National Shag Champion including 8 junior titles and 6 Overall titles, a 2-time Grand National Junior Champion and 4-time Grand National Pro Champion , Michael danced on the National Shag Dance Championships Dance Team for 11 years and choreographed for several years. The winner of the U.S. Open Classic Swing Division with partner Ginger Pickrell, he taught swing 4 summers in Manhattan, and has performed at the Lincoln Center on 4 occasions. Having received his business degree in 2002, Michael still teaches and competes and plans to marry LeAnn in May. |
 George Hamrick - 2005 Born in Burlington, N. C. on September 12, 1973, George was dragged “kicking and screaming” into the dance by his father, D.J. Tom Hamrick. He took his first lesson at the old Sand Flea in Greenville, S. C. from Hall of Famer Elaine Small Wilson. He competed in his first National Shag Dance Championships in 1990 and after watching Sam West and Kevin Womble and hearing the crowd response, he was “hooked”. A 3-time National Champion, including 2 Junior titles and 1 Non-Pro title, George finished 3rd Overall in 1991 and 2nd Overall in 1994. Having danced on the shag circuit for years, George won many Junior and Pro titles and became known as one of the best and most exciting dancers ever. He credits Charlie Womble and Jackie McGee for teaching him the dance and Hall of Famers Charles Gurley and Milton Nowell, Jr. for teaching him how to have fun with it. |
 Christina “Nikki” Kontoulas - 2006 Born in Greensboro, N. C. on November 2, 1980, Nikki was exposed to the shag at the tender age of 4 at the Bushes in Greensboro, N. C. Her mother taught her the basic at age of 10 and she made her first trip to Duck’s at North Myrtle Beach. With the able assistance of Dan Jackson, Betsy Pritchard and Hall of Famer’s Susie Beaver, Sharon Phillips and Phil Pritchard, Nikki became a competitive dancer at age 12 and has never stopped. A Non-Pro Champion in 2002, Pro Champion and Overall National Shag Champion in 2005; she has competed on several shag teams including the National Shag Dance Championships Team for 7 years; serving as co-captain in 2005-2006 and captain along with her dance partner Jeff Hargett for 2006-2007. Not only a champion dancer but an excellent student, Nikki has been the recipient of the Beth Mitchell, Dewey Kennedy, Shad Alberty, Hall of Fame, Junior Shag Association and Sandy Coley Memorial Scholarships. |
 Sy Creed - 2006 Born in Laurinburg, N. C. on February 8, 1969, Sy learned to shag at age 11. At first he thought it was a “sissy” dance but after attending a couple of Junior contests and seeing the likes of David Campbell, Warren Squires, Matt Free, Patrick Hiatt, Kenneth Callicutt and Chris Stephenson and realizing it was a way to meet girls, he was “hooked”. He competed in his first Junior Contest in 1982 and was destined to become one of the greatest. A four-time National Shag Dance Champion (2 Junior and 2 Professional) Sy was a featured dancer in the movie ‘Shag” and 3 instructional videos. During his college years as a Junior shagger and afterwards as a Pro, he taught hundreds of people to dance, traveled around the county teaching workshops, giving exhibitions, and spreading the dance. As a Champion shagger, Sy has been featured in PM Magazine, appeared in commercials and on the Good Morning Show and was a member of the First National Shag Dance Championships Dance Team. |
 Dana Brown Barton - 2007 Dana was born July 7, 1968 to Don “Tootie” and Maxine Brown in Mooresville, N. C. She began dancing at an early age learning jazz, tap, ballet, and later clogging. While attending a formation meeting of the lake Norman Shag Club with her parents in 1983, Dana decided to learn to shag and met her first dance partner, Rod Hager. They won their first shag contest in 1986 at the Royce Hotel in Charlotte, N. C.; top prize – a trip to London. A three-time National Shag Dance Champion (Non-Professional in 1988, Professional and Overall in 1991, and Professional in 1994), Dana was also a featured dancer in the movie “Shag” and a member of the original National Shag Dance Championships Dance Team. Dana married her husband Chad Barton in April of 1998 and their son Conor was born in October of 2005. They now live in Mt. Pleasant, S. C. with their 2 shih-tzus. She continues her love of the music and dance and can’t wait until she and Chad can teach Conor the Shag.
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 Grayson Smith - 2007 Grayson was born in Marion, South Carolina on July 22, 1979 to Stacy and Judy Smith. He was taught the basic at age 12 by his Mom on the deck of a cruise ship. With the constant support of his parents and brother Brandon, Grayson became an avid shagger and began competing in 1993 at age 14. In 8 Years of competition in the National Shag Dance Championships in the Junior and Professional Divisions, he and partner Jessica McAlhany never placed lower than 3rd place. Grayson was also a three-time Grand National Junior Champion, a member of the National Shag Dance Championship Dance Team in 1995,1996 and 1998 and a member of the 1999 US Open Champion Shag Team “Duck’s Dirty Dozen”. The first ever recipient of the Dewey Kennedy and Shad Alberty Memorial Scholarships, Grayson considers his greatest benefits from his years of shagging to be his love for the dance, passion for the music and lifelong friends and “family” met at the beach over the years. |
 LeAnn Best Norris - 2008 Born in Clinton, N. C. on March 6, 1980 to Glenn and Brenda Best, LeAnn took tap, ballet and jazz lessons at age 5 and had learned to shag by age 7. In August of 1991 she attended her first Junior Shag Contest at the “Juke Box” in High Point, N. C. and met her future partner and husband, Michael Norris. After placing 2nd in the Junior 1 Division of the National Shag Dance Championships in 1992 and 1993, she partnered with Michael and they became 6-time Junior; 1-time Professional Nationals Champions and 6-time ‘Overall” Nationals Champions. An 8- time USA Grand Nationals Champions and 4-time winner of the U.S. Open Swing Dance Championships Shag Division, LeAnn was also a member of the National Shag Dance Championships Dance Team for seven years. She is a 2004 graduate of the University of South Carolina in Pharmacology and is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor. LeAnn is most thankful for the friendships made, and especially for having met her best friend and the love of her life, Michael, through the Shag. They were married in May 2006 and currently reside in Columbia with their dog Lucy and continue to travel throughout the country teaching, competing and introducing the dance they love to others. |
 Trae Anderson - 2008 Trae was born in Raleigh, N. C. on January 20, 1976 and shortly thereafter moved to Fayetteville. While attending Riverside Military Academy in Georgia from 1989-1994, he became interested in the shag during trips to Myrtle Beach with his family. A few lessons from his Mom and visits to Flamingo Joe’s were followed by Jackie McGee’s classes in Atlanta. He finally got “hooked” at Ducks Too during the 1992 Spring SOS where he met many great junior shaggers and followed them to the Georgio’s “junior” dance floor and has been dancing ever since. Trae entered his first junior contest at the Boat Dock at High Rock Lake in May 1992 and won his first contest as a junior at Fat Boy’s in Rockingham in 1996. He went on to compete in the Junior II, Non-Professional and Professional Divisions of the National Shag Dance Championships. A former member of the National Shag Dance Team, Trae is also a DJ and plays at Duck’s and Ducks Too. Trae can always be counted on to help fellow competitors with selection, arranging and recording of their music. His love of the music and dance is only matched by his love of the lifestyle and the friendships made through the years; especially by a group of junior shaggers at the 1992 Spring SOS that inspired a young novice to follow a path that truly changed his life. |
 Kristal Leigh Taylor - 2009 Born in High Point, N. C. on June 13, 1989, Kristal was introduced to the Shag at the age of 7 by watching her Mom and Dad. Mentored by locals Debbi Rickard and Ervin Ellington, she also learned from Vickie Chambers and Vickie Carter and was especially influenced by Jo Jo Putnam, Lynda Carole Flynn and Sandra Schwartz. In 1990 at age 10, she partnered with Brent Key, appeared in the New Bern, N. C. television show “Shagging with T-Bird” and danced in her first Nationals. She became an accomplished Junior Shagger, dancing at all the shag clubs locally and at the beach both competitively and for charity. In 1992 at age 11, Kristal and partner Michael Norris won the Carolina Shag Division and was overall winners at the Virginia State Open, receiving the “Rising Star Award”. A great junior Shagger, Kristal has continued her success having won multiple contests each year since turning Pro in 2006. She continues to promote the Shag by competing as often as possible and teaching both group and private lessons at Thirsty’s 2 in Greensboro, N.C. |
 William Jason Cagle - 2009 Born in Concord, NC on December 23, 1975, Jason’s entry into the Shag world mirrored Junior Walker’s words “I’ll Go Where The Music Takes Me”… because it all began with the music. Introduced to rhythm and blues as a youth through his Mom’s record collecting, by age 10 Jason could be found on Saturday mornings with his friend Ed Ballard scouring yard sales and flea markets in search of vintage records. First exposed to the Shag at concerts in Lake Lure, NC, filming location of the movie Dirty Dancing, he discovered a dance that fit perfectly with classic rhythm and blues. He became fully indoctrinated in the early 90’s through his summer job at Ye Olde Clock Shop with Reid Arey and Butch Metcalf and he and partner Tracy Allman meeting Susie Beaver and her amazing Junior Shaggers. This lead to numerous Junior Shag Contests, meeting his wife Holly, winning the Non-pro division in the 2006 nationals, and becoming a member of the Nationals Shag Dance Team. Jason continues to promote the danced, music, tradition and lifestyle as a D.J., competition Pro dancer, and serving on the Boards of the Beach Music Association International and the Hall of Fame Foundation. |
The Photos and Bios were taken from the Keepers of the Dance Bios that will hang @ Fat Harold's in N. Myrtle Beach, SC |