Tom Manning has been around square
dancing all of his life. His parents, Lee and Lucy Manning had
been dancing many years before Tom was even born. As he grew
up, instead of getting a babysitter, Tom went along to the
dances and sat on the sidelines just watching everyone else
dance. One night at the Circle Square B Square Dance Club in
Burlington they were starting a beginners’ class. For some
reason there were about two squares of youth there with their
parents. When Lee asked Tom if he wanted to take lessons, Tom
didn’t know any better and said yes. That was in September of
1970 at the age of 8, and has been in the square dance
activity ever since.
Dancing wasn’t enough for Tom. In the
fall of 1974 Don Roberts, a caller from Cedar Rapids, Iowa,
was calling a dance at the club with Tom in attendance. After
one of Don’s tips, Don started talking to Tom and told him, he
danced just like a caller, and gave him a record to learn. The
calling bug had hit. By the spring of 1975 and at the age of
twelve Tom was calling guest tips around Southeast
Iowa.
Tom called full time for about 15 years
starting in 1984. He traveled extensively from California to
Florida doing dances, weekend and festivals. Tom has called in
approximately 40 states, including Hawaii. His travels have
also taken him to Canada and Mexico. He now tries to stay
closer to home as his family has become his number one
priority. He calls for a plus club, the Circle Square B
Promenaders in Wever, Iowa and has an advanced workshop group
in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. Although Tom has limited his travels,
he will call specials and festivals on weekends a little
farther from home.
Tom owns and produces Solid Gold Records
and is partner with Bob Asp in Solid Gold Sound, providing
sound for State Conventions and area festivals. He has also
recorded on Cross Country, Chicago Country, and Yellow Rose
records. He is also a member of CALLERLAB serving on the
Mainstream and Plus committees and a member of the Southeast
Iowa Callers Association having held every office.
Tom graduated from Western Illinois
University in 1984 with a Bachelor in Business and is
currently working on getting a Masters in Education at Ashford
University. Tom hopes to return to teaching to help get modern
square dancing back in the schools.
Tom married his high
school sweetheart, Ella in 1983. Their dates consisted of
going to Tom’s dances and lessons. That is how Ella learned to
square dance. She has been employed by General Electric since
1995.
Tom and Ella have three lovely daughters.
Sara, 18, is going off to Culver Stockton College in August
2006 and majoring in Elementary Education. Amanda. 16, is a
junior at Burlington Community High School. Ashley, 12, is a
6th grader. All three square dance and enjoy attending the
National Convention and meeting boys from all over the
country. They also take ballet, tap, and acrobats and are busy
with school activities, band, cheerleading, and basketball.