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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!
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Written by Shauna
February Release - "Baby, Now That I've Found You"
We’ve done something different with this release. While both the male and female range are based on the same song title, they are inspired by two very different versions. The male key is patterned after the original by The Foundations, and the female was inspired by the 1995 cover by Allison Krause.
“Baby, Now That I’ve Found You,” written by Tony Macauley and John MacLeod, was originally released in 1967 as the debut single for The Foundations. It wasn’t long before it took off, and quickly rose to number one on the British charts, climbing the Billboard Hot 100 to number 11 as well.
The song received new life in 1995 with a country makeover by Allison Krause, climbing the charts for a second time with a completely different sound. When Hunter Keller brought this version to my attention, I fell in love with it immediately, and plans to produce the singing call began. Rough tracks for both the male and female vocal ranges were prepared using this rendition as our inspiration.
As we were nearing completion of the female range track, I started hearing the original song on my oldies station. Likely a coincidence, but it was as if it was there, begging me to not be forgotten. The more I heard it, and I heard it often, the more I was convinced that it also needed to be a singing call. With the female track already in the can, the male track was the only choice for the makeover back to the original sound (sorry Hunter). Although we always produce the male and female tracks separately, sometimes with a slightly different guitar voice, this is the first time we’ve used the two keys to produce completely different arrangements of the same song.
When it came time to record the vocal, Scott Smith had embraced the song, and the new arrangement. A new grandchild for Scott, and recording deadlines for us, meant that Scott couldn’t get down to the studio to record his vocal. We packed up the equipment and met him at the California/Nevada state line (the halfway point) and recorded in a room at Whiskey Pete’s casino. As always, Scott was completely prepared, and did a fantastic job with his vocal before heading back north to Logan to meet his newest grandbaby.
Allison Krause is blessed with one of the most angelic voices on the planet. Recording a cover of anything she sings is an intimidating challenge. The average female voice does not have the range that Allison does, so this key has been adjusted (lowered) to match more of the female calling population. Although a challenge, I truly enjoyed recording the vocal for this beautiful song and arrangement.
CHIC 1051 in the male vocal range features the awesome vocal by Scott Smith with background vocals by Jimmy Mac and Shauna Kaaria.
CHIC 2051 in the female vocal range features the vocal by 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
January Release - "Hurt So Bad"
Our January 2019 singing call marks release number 50 for Chic Recordings! For this milestone release, we give a little nod to our inaugural release of “You’re No Good,” with “Hurts So Bad,” another power (you done me wrong) ballad by Linda Ronstadt.
“Hurts So Bad” was written by Teddy Randazoo, Bobby Weinstein, and Bobby Hart, and was first popularized in 1965 by Little Anthony & The Imperials. It hit the top ten in 1965, but the cover by Linda Ronstadt in 1980 was most successful version of the song, peaking at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the spring of 1980. Linda's version served as the inspiration for our release.
Linda’s cover of the song featured a scorching guitar solo as part of the bridge, and we’ve done the same in the middle break of our release. Jimmy Mac did an amazing job capturing the sound of the solo originally played by Danny Kortchmar. It’s a testament to Jimmy’s musical abilities that he is able to capture it all in two separate keys!
Scott Bennett nailed the vocal for Chic’s inaugural release of “You’re No Good,” and then delivered two equally great vocals for our other two Ronstadt releases (“Just One Look” and “That’ll Be the Day”). There was no question that we would go back to Scott for the male vocal for “Hurts So Bad.” As expected, Scott nailed it again! Scott appears courtesy of Crest/Acme/Peak Recordings, and we sure appreciate his ongoing support of Chic.
While I had initially planned to record this vocal myself, I took a step back and realized that it would be a waste of the talent I have on the Chic staff if I didn’t give this power ballad to Patty Greene. Patty has the attitude, range, and power to nail this song, and nail it she did! Patty also made the time to get the vocal recorded with a very short lead time, allowing us to have the release ready on time. We’re very lucky to have her as part of the Chic team!
CHIC 1050 in the male vocal range features the awesome vocal by Scott Bennett.
CHIC 2050 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
November Release - "Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again"
“Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again” (The Fortunes) was originally released in May of 1971 and quickly climbed the charts. It’s a catchy song with a very simple melody. The “rainy day feeling” is compared to the sadness (and tears) that come with losing the one you love. The lyric is also hopeful that the loved one will return and the “rainy day will go away.”
The song has been sitting on Chic’s “possibles” list for a while, until two things pulled it off that list and on to the fast track for production. First, I received a message from Kim Oxendine telling me she had a “great idea” for a Chic recording. She was so excited about the idea and felt it was a great cut for Chic to tackle. It took very little coaxing from Kim for me to pull the production trigger. We had barely finished our conversation before I logged into the Clearing House and reserved the song for Chic Recordings.
The timing of Kim’s message coincided with the completion of Chic Recordings’ first Weekend Getaway. The weekend was held in Big Bear Lake, and scheduled for a time of year where there is typically no fear of rainy weather. Two weeks before the weekend, I checked the weather forecast, and all was clear. Ten days before, I checked again and cringed. Rain was in the forecast and scheduled to hit the Saturday of our dancing weekend. With much of the dancing scheduled for outdoors, my “rainy day feeling” was hitting in full force.
Very long story short, the weekend arrived and we had a beautiful night dancing under the stars on Friday night. Shortly after midnight, the rain came in, along with thunder and lightning. We refused to allow it to rain on our parade, moved the dancing inside for the day, and found refuge for the Saturday evening dancing at a local church with a large dance hall.
The event will go down in history as the first time all seven of the Chic Staff Callers were able to call together, and it was a huge success in spite of the rain. 12+ squares of dancers joined us for the event and we are already looking forward to next year…with NO rain! Come and join us!!!
CHIC 1049 in the male vocal range features my favorite caller, Vic Kaaria.
CHIC 2049 in the female vocal range features my vocal, with backgrounds for both provided by Jimmy Mac and myself.
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!