Carrie Masters has been calling square dances professionally since 1963, although for about 3 or 4 years prior to that, she admits that she practiced calling with one old 78 rpm record in her bedroom with the blinds drawn and the door shut.
One night after a dance in Beaumont, the club went out to the local pizza place and one of the dancers started up the juke box. One of the songs he selected was an instrumental tune called “Wheels,” a popular singing call at that time. Carrie was heard singing the singing call under her breath, and someone said, “Hey she’s calling! Let’s dance!” So at the ripe old age of 14, with one foot on each bar stool, (!) she called for the first time for live people.
After that, she began calling and teaching for adult and teen clubs around the Inland Empire. In 1993, she decided to “retire” from calling to spend more time with her family but became active in church activities. In December of 1997, her husband and calling partner, Gerry Masters, passed away. In February of 1997, she attended a square dance thinking she might venture back into calling and by the time she graduated from ministerial training in June of 1998, she had acquired quite a few club bookings.
She enjoys calling through the Plus level and calls A1 tips for dancers who enjoy that level. She is well known for her fun country style, but her most requested singing calls are “Fisherman’s Luck” and “Pink Cadillac.” Several years ago, she recorded the singing call, “Tonight The Heartache’s On Me” for the Alliance square dance record label, and these days, she has a CD of her favorite singing calls available for sale.
Her love for the philosophy of New Thought and Ancient Wisdom led her to become an Ordained Minister and she now serves as Minister of the Center for Spiritual Living, Beaumont, CA, where we teach that all paths lead to God. We love honor and support everyone no matter what path they are on.
