Bob was trained originally at FA but worked in both chains at one time or another.

jj

Funny.. Ive known ( and worked with Bob in the past ) for well over 30 yrs.

He never ever mentioned that, and he knew on one occasion, I had come over to a F/A school from an A/M one .

Even so, at that stage in his A/M career, he possibly may not have been familiar with the Gold syl.

I specifically asked him not long ago what his background was.

jj

Next time you see him, say Hi from me ( and Ray )..

I'll give him your regards.

jj

Thanks.....

I spoke with Bob for several minutes last night and asked him about the chronology of his career.

He began dancing when he was in the Air Force and joined Arthur Murray in Texas after his discharge.

He became regional dance director for them before leaving to join Fred Astaire in Texas in the same capacity.

Eventually, he migrated to Atlanta with FA before eventually, as he put it, "giving up on the chains." He's been independent ever since.

Apparently, the chains had a stranglehold on the development of dance instructors in the US at that time.

I told Bob that you're currently in England and doing well. He sends you his best.

jj

I knew he was from texas ( we worked in the sams F/A school in Atlanta in 1978 ) I went independant at that time( again ) and Bob eventually went solo.

The chains ( pretty much all of them ) were very resistant to outside activity ( Coaching, Comps etc. ).

Thats changed over the yrs. They now go to the other extreme, constantly bringing them in, coaches, that is ( its a money spinner ).

She's in an assisted care facility now and reportedly suffering from Alzheimer's so I can't talk with her.

jj

I was manager and D.D. for her in Buckhead school.

And, of course, rented space from her in the s.springs location .