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Written by Shauna
October Release - "Walk Right In"
“Walk Right In” was written and originally recorded by Gus Cannon in 1929. (Who knew that it was not originally recorded by The Rooftop Singers?)
Our version was inspired by the 1962 recording by The Rooftop Singers and includes the signature 12-String guitar that was featured in their cut. From Wikipedia, "group member Erik Darling recruited two friends to record this folk version of "Walk Right In" after hearing the original Cannon recording. Darling wanted their record to have a distinctive sound, so he and Bill Svanoe both played twelve string guitars on the song." Turns out getting those 12-string guitars wasn’t so easy. Darling is quoted as saying that prior to the making of this record, "you couldn't buy a 12-string guitar...I ordered one from the Gibson Company, but in order to record [the song] with two 12-strings, we had to wait for the company to build a second one for Bill!" (He was left-handed.).
Thankfully, with the powers of overdubbing and multiple tracks, we only needed one 12-string guitar. Jimmy Mac played multiple tracks with Vic’s beautiful 12-String Ovation, and stayed very true to the original song. There’s no sound like a real 12-string guitar!
(An aside note from Shauna...As we all know, this is not the first recording of this song made for square dancing, but this was another “pet project” for me. I love this song. It was one of the first I learned (using another label’s track, pitched up +5). I am SO excited to finally have a track that doesn’t need to be shifted, and also includes some background vocals (and that 12-string). Male vocal range callers…You get a new one too, because I wanted a new female track! Lucky you!)
Scott Smith delivers another great vocal for the male vocal range track. (He makes it clear why we call him “Great Scott.”) He perfectly captures the attitude of the song and uses a fun, and different, basic figure. The female vocal was recorded by Producer, Shauna Kaaria
CHIC 1061 in the male vocal range features Chic Staff Caller, Scott Smith.
CHIC 2061 in the female vocal range features producer, Shauna Kaaria.
To purchase, just head on over to the Chic Boutique for fast and easy mp3 downloads.
Introductory price is $7.50 and includes the music with and without melody, and the vocal cut.
Both are being sold separately since they were produced separately, but we do have a dual-key option at a discounted rate for those who prefer to have both keys.
Click on the youtube links (to the left) for previews!
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Written by Shauna
September Release - "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain"
“Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” was written by Fred Rose and first recorded by Roy Acuff. Since that first recording, the song has been covered by many artists, both well-known and obscure. Willie Nelson’s recording in 1975 put the song, and Willie, on the map. Until then, Willie had been writing hit songs for other artists and struggling with his own recording career.
The song came to my attention when a Facebook friend shared the video of Shania Twain and Willie Nelson performing the song together for Nelson’s 2003 “Live & Kickin’” album. I fell in love with the simple acoustic guitar sound and into the studio we went, with the Shania/Willie version as our initial inspiration.
During the production process, we listened to many of the multiple covers of the song, finding more beautiful nuggets of inspiration, particularly from Vince Gill, Eva Cassidy, and Willie Nelson’s original 1975 recording.
The final product is a beautiful piece of music, filled with beautiful acoustic guitars, and laid on a smooth and easy dance beat. Dancers are loving it and singing along.
CHIC 1060 in the male vocal range features Chic Staff Caller, Steve Moore.
CHIC 2060 in the female vocal range features producer, Shauna Kaaria.
To purchase, just head on over to the Chic Boutique for fast and easy mp3 downloads.
Introductory price is $7.50 and includes the music with and without melody, and the vocal cut.
Both are being sold separately since they were produced separately, but we do have a dual-key option at a discounted rate for those who prefer to have both keys.
Click on the youtube links (to the left) for previews!
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Written by Shauna
Anniversary Release ("Shaft" Patter) and Annual Anniversary SALE!
The “Theme from Shaft” was written and recorded by Isaac Hayes in 1971 as the theme music for the new MGM film. It was never intended to be released as a single, but it became so popular that a shortened and edited version was created and released two months after the movie soundtrack. It charted in multiple genres (Soul Singles/Easy Listening/etc) as well as capturing the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in November of 1971.
Remember when I left Vic and Jimmy unsupervised in the studio and they made a beautiful patter out of “Spanish Eyes?” Vic came home to tell me he’d heard another song that would make a great patter. “Theme from Shaft!” I wasn't familiar with the track, so I gave it a quick listen and completely agreed! It had a seriously cool groove.
So, the next time Vic was in the studio to do some work with Jimmy for New Beat…I jokingly said, “If you have time, knock out a patter for Shaft.” Once again, I woke up the next morning to a completed track in the DropBox. “Shaft” is as cool as “Spanish Eyes” is beautiful. I did a little google search and here’s the most interesting thing I discovered about Isaac Hayes’ “Shaft.” It is considered by some to be one of the first disco songs!!! Disco in 1971. Who knew?
CHIC4059(4000 series identifies patters and hoedowns) is a different kind of patter with a laid-back, seriously cool groove.
To purchase, just head on over to the Chic Boutique for fast and easy mp3 downloads.
Introductory price is $7.50.
Click on the youtube link (to the left) for preview!
Now, about that Anniversary sale. Chic turns FOUR on August 22nd, and we are again celebrating our anniversary with a sale on music! Our inaugural release of "You're No Good" will be just $4.00 (we're four years old). Releases 2-40 will be just $5.00. Releases 41-50 will be $6.00, and 51-55 will be just $7.00. Sale will end at 11:59pm (Pacific time) on August 31st.) Don't miss this chance to pick up some seriously Chic music at some great prices!
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Written by Shauna
August Release - "That's Country Bro"
“That’s Country Bro” is a brand-new (May 2019) country song from Toby Keith that features a rapid-fire list of the artists, shows, and songs that defined the country music industry. According to the press release for the song, Toby hit the names of 57 different key influences in the song. (Our singing call doesn’t quite count that high since we only had room for three of the song’s four verses.) I first heard this song on “The Voice” and for some reason it hooked me and wouldn’t let go. (I think it had me at “M-M-M-Mel and Detroit City. By the way, if you haven’t listened to that lately…you should. What a voice!)
This track is classic country, driven mostly by guitar, with a little bit of honky-tonk piano as the icing on the cake. Dancers are loving it and it becomes a conversation piece as they come up and talk to you about all the memories they have of the names you just fired off. Very fun!
CHIC 1058 in the male vocal range features Chic Staff Caller, Steve Moore.
CHIC 2058 in the female vocal range also features Producer, Shauna Kaaria.
To purchase, just head on over to the Chic Boutique for fast and easy mp3 downloads.
Introductory price is $7.50 and includes the music with and without melody, and the vocal cut.
Both are being sold separately since they were produced separately, but we do have a dual-key option at a discounted rate for those who prefer to have both keys.
Click on the youtube links (to the left) for previews!
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Written by Shauna
July Release - "Spanish Eyes"
“Spanish Eyes” is a well-known song that probably doesn’t need much introduction. Most of you, like me, first heard it with the 1966 hit by Al Martino. In my childhood home, the “Spanish Eyes” album was one of the very few records my parents owned, and I probably should finally confess to my father that my siblings and I were responsible for wearing it out. Specifically, me, my younger sister, and the girl who lived across the street. We choreographed a beautiful hula dance to the song with the intent of putting on a show for our parents (even charging them admission), practiced hundreds of times (poor record), and I don’t think we ever had our little show. Probably a little too ambitious for seven-year-olds.
Needless to say, I have loved this song for MANY years. I thought the “danced-up” version from Engelbert Humperdinck in 1998 was seriously cool when Vic started using it for patter (a few moons ago), but the vocal track and the change-up of the dance rhythm throughout kept it from being a go-to piece of music for calling. A few years back, when the Shakedown band was playing together, we charted the song and I had a blast playing the fun bass rhythm. It was one of my favorite patter pieces we played, and I’ve thought about taking it to the studio quite a few times, but just never pulled the trigger.
Last week, Vic was headed off to the studio to do some work with Jimmy for New Beat. I jokingly said, “We don’t have a release for July yet…if you have time, knock out a patter with ‘Spanish Eyes.’” Later that night (MUCH later), I got a text from Vic that he would be home late. They were working on “Spanish Eyes.” I went to bed, Vic got home around 3am, and I woke up to find the completed track sitting in the DropBox.
If THIS is what happens when Vic and Jimmy are left in the studio unsupervised…I should leave them there more often. Every time I listen, I hear something new. I love it! Hope you do, too.
CHIC4057(4000 series identifies patters and hoedowns) is, quite simply, a smooth and beautiful piece of patter music with a laid-back Latin groove that dances like a dream.
To purchase, just head on over to the Chic Boutique for fast and easy mp3 downloads.
Introductory price is $7.50.
Click on the youtube link (to the left) for preview!
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Written by Shauna
June Release - "I Got Rhythm"
“I Got Rhythm” is a well-known jazz standard, originally written and published in 1930 by George and Ira Gershwin. It’s one of those timeless tunes, with popularity that has spanned nine decades (so far). To quote Wikipedia, “a complete list of notable singers who have recorded this song would take up several pages.” The 1966 version by The Happenings is listed first among the “most popular,” and served as our inspiration for this singing call. The recording by The Happenings hit #3 on the US charts in 1967. The band’s original concept was to take a song that’s already proven it could be a hit and put their own spin on it, which is exactly what they did with “I Got Rhythm.”
Like many of the hit groups of the 60’s The Happenings’ recordings were rich with background vocals, which we have done our best to recreate for the singing call. (As always, if background vocals aren’t your thing, we provide an instrumental track without them.)
CHIC 1056 in the male vocal range features two Chic Staff Callers, David Mee and Vic Kaaria.
CHIC 2056 in the female vocal range also features two Staff Callers with Patty Greene and Shauna Kaaria.
To purchase, just head on over to the Chic Boutique for fast and easy mp3 downloads.
Introductory price is $7.50 and includes the music with and without melody, and the vocal cut.
Both are being sold separately since they were produced separately, but we do have a dual-key option at a discounted rate for those who prefer to have both keys.
Click on the youtube links (to the left) for previews!
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Written by Shauna
May Release - "Everyday People"
“Everyday People” was recorded by Sly and the Family Stone in 1968, and became their first single to hit number one on both the Soul singles chart, and the Billboard Hot 100. It held its place as number one on the Hot 100 for four weeks in early 1969.
Written by Sly Stone, “Everyday People” was one of Sly’s many pleas for peace and equality among races and social groups. Sly and the Family Stone practiced what they preached and were noted for being the first major integrated band in rock history.
It was over three years ago that Tony Oxendine mentioned this song to me as a possible singing call for Chic Recordings. I knew the song well because I grew up with it, and I loved the idea. I looked it up and listened to it with a producer’s ear and realized immediately that it was not built for a square dance singing call’s structure (7 x 64), and so it went to the back burner.
With 60’s on 6 playing on my new Sirius radio, the song came back to the front burner and it was time to see if we could “make it work.” Jimmy and I spent a couple of hours putting the pieces together and landed on an arrangement that felt right the moment we found it. Of course, I immediately sent it to Tony for his opinion and a request that he record the vocal, since the song was his idea from the start. I think he was almost as excited as I was that it was going to work.
The final product is a fun song with a catchy melody and a great message that is as relevant today as it ever was. “…and so on and so on and scooby dooby dooby…We got to live together!”
As I already mentioned, the male vocal range version features Tony Oxendine (courtesy of Royal Records), and he nailed it! Tony captured the fun and feel of the original with just a few background vocals provided by Jimmy Mac and myself.
Originally, the female vocal was planned for Patty Greene, but her demanding schedule before, during, and after the recent CALLERLAB convention prevented her from recording in time for an early May release. I stepped into the batter’s box (recording booth) as a pinch hitter and quickly discovered that in order to sing the “I am everyday people” tagline, I was going to have to hit a note I’ve never hit before (a full step below the bottom of my range). My initial plan was to sing an alternate melody and let the melody be covered by Jimmy in the background vocals. Jimmy was having none of that and said, “just sing it.” So… I sang it. Nobody was more surprised than me when the note actually came out. Jimmy said “That’s it! Now sing it again…I wasn’t recording.” He’s lucky I didn’t dock his pay!
CHIC 1055 in the male vocal range features the awesome vocal by Tony Oxendine.
CHIC 2055 in the female vocal range features the vocal by producer, Shauna Kaaria.
To purchase, just head on over to the Chic Boutique for fast and easy mp3 downloads.
Introductory price is $7.50 and includes the music with and without melody, and the vocal cut.
Both are being sold separately since they were produced separately.
Click on the youtube links (to the left) for previews!
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Written by Shauna
CALLERLAB Release - "Fire2" Patter

Introduced at the 2019 CALLERLAB Convention (even referenced in the keynote speech on Monday morning), we bring you a hot new patter!
The patter starts with the smoldering groove of “Fire”, a la Pointer Sisters. This song has been on my possible “singers” list for a while, but I just couldn’t strike the match and get it going. In today’s political climate, a song with lyrics from a woman stating “I say I don’t like it…but you know I’m a liar…” just didn’t feel right. And for the men to sing it Bruce Sprinsteen’s way, “you say you don’t like it…but I know you’re a liar.” Nah…it just felt creepy. (Unless, of course, it is being sung with the voice of Elmer Fudd. In that case, it's just funny!)
But the groove was just too cool to pass up, so…a patter was ignited. (Tired of the flame references yet?)
As Jimmy and I were working in the studio, we were pulling up the original track for inspiration and stumbled on the song with the same name, “Fire,” from The Ohio Players. Another smoking hot track, and a mash-up was born.
So…we don’t just bring you a hot patter named “Fire.” We bring you double-hot patter of “Fire…to the power of two!” Aptly named, "Fire2" (“Fire Squared!”).
Jimmy did a brilliant job of making the transitions between the two seamless. We added a few background vocals, mostly the repeating phrases of “Fy-yuh!” Jimmy also did a great job of recreating the chants and such from The Ohio Players track. If you’re not into BGV…a track without them is included..
CHIC4054(4000 series identifies patters and hoedowns) is a blazing hot patter. So hot, it’s almost an inferno…disco inferno… but no, that’s a song for another day. We hope you and your dancers will love it as much as we do!
To purchase, just head on over to the Chic Boutique for fast and easy mp3 downloads.
Introductory price is $7.50.
Click on the youtube links (to the left) for previews!
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Written by Shauna
April Release - "Blow Away"
Released in February of 1979 (the year I graduated from High School), “Blow Away” is one of George Harrison’s most popular songs from his solo career. One survey puts it in second place, falling behind “My Sweet Lord” in the number one spot. If the song title doesn’t ring a bell, just give it a listen. Once the chorus hits, you’ll know it and be singing along.
In his autobiography, George said “the song arose from feelings of frustration and inadequacy, resulting from a leaking roof at his Friar Park home.” He said he realized that by “surrendering to the problem, he was merely exacerbating it.” It was a reminder that he needed to be more optimistic. He was initially a little self-conscious about the simple lyric, thinking it was “too obvious.”
“Obvious,” perhaps. But extremely profound. The simple chorus reminds us that “all we gotta do is…be happy.” Challenges come everyone’s way, and we have the gift to choose how we handle them.
I have been so inspired by the way that Connie and Eldon Graham (fellow caller and her husband) have dealt with Eldon’s battle with the Guillian-Barre disease, that I am dedicating this song to them. Life has certainly “rained on their parade” for the past year, and if you’ve been following Connie’s posts you know that they have met every challenge with true love, and the kind of positive attitude that can't help but make it “Blow Away.” I look forward to the day I can dance in a square with the two of them, and I know that day will come. Soon!
Considering the fact that George Harrison is his favorite Beatle, Staff Caller, Vic Kaaria was a no-brainer choice to record the vocal. In addition to recording a great vocal, Vic’s familiarity with the song was a huge help during the production of the music with Jimmy Mac. As always, Jimmy Mac nailed the music. Tons of fun watching him work the slide on his guitar.
Staff Caller, Patty Greene, brought the song to my attention and provided a great vocal for the female vocal range. She has had her hands full the past few weeks, and she still managed to record an awesome vocal and get it to us in plenty of time for the release. Patty rocks!!!
CHIC 1053 in the male vocal range features the awesome vocal by Vic Kaaria.
CHIC 2053 in the female vocal range features the equally awesome vocal by Patty Greene.
To purchase, just head on over to the Chic Boutique for fast and easy mp3 downloads.
Introductory price is $7.50 and includes the music with and without melody, and the vocal cut.
Both are being sold separately since they were produced separately.
Click on the youtube links (to the left) for previews!
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Written by Shauna
March Release - "You Took Advantage of Me"
“You Took Advantage of Me” is a show tune written by Rodgers and Hart and first made popular in 1928, making this the oldest song in the Chic catalog. (Sure hope I’m still this relevant when I’m 91.) Written for their musical “Present Arms,” this song was first sung by a couple who were formerly married, yet still had feelings for one another. That little data point brings a new perspective to some of the lyric.
From its beginning, the song has been sung and recorded by both male and female artists, with the first recording in 1928 and the most recent recording in 2019. (Okay, that one is ours, but there are numerous other recordings in the 21st century as well.) Notable recordings through the years include the likes of Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, Al Hirt, and even The Supremes. It should come as no surprise to anyone that our version was inspired by Linda Ronstadt’s recording with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra on her album, “Lush Life.”
Rodgers himself described the song as a “sassy and unregretful number,” and you’ll find that the melody quickly grabs you, enters the brain, and stays. Dancer response in early previews has been widely positive, and the feet certainly do start tapping when the music starts.
When it comes to these early standards, our go-to guy is Chic Staff Caller, David Mee. The first time I ever heard him sing, he was singing “Sinatra,” and his voice and style is a perfect match for this genre. The cut was particularly perfect for David with a title like "You Took Advantage of Mee." As always, he delivered an awesome vocal.
When you have a “sassy” song like this, the female vocal just has to go to Chic Staff Caller, Deborah Carroll-Jones. She has a way of taking on the character of the song and giving it the perfect voice.
CHIC 1052 in the male vocal range features the awesome vocal by David Mee.
CHIC 2052 in the female vocal range features the equally awesome vocal by Deborah Carroll-Jones.
To purchase, just head on over to the Chic Boutique for fast and easy mp3 downloads.
Introductory price is $7.50 and includes the music with and without melody, and the vocal cut.
Both are being sold separately since they were produced separately.
Click on the youtube links (to the left) for previews!