Mike Hogan - Biography

Mike Hogan is from La Vista, Nebraska where he lives with his wife Denise. They have two children, Rachel age 27, a Registered Nurse and Ryan age 24, a 2LT U.S. Army.

Mike was forced by his parents to take square dance lessons in 1975. At the time Mike sang in two groups at school and played guitar and saxophone. Mike instantly wanted to learn to call and called his first tip two days before graduating from Mainstream lesson in early 1976 at age 13. Since then, he has been a club caller for several clubs in the Omaha area including youth, mainstream and plus clubs. He has been the club caller for the same club in Omaha for the past 30 years.

Mike has called in 34 states, travels regularly and has been featured at many festivals, weekends, and state conventions. In addition, Mike has called and managed the Okoboji Spring Fling at Lake Okoboji, Iowa for the past 35 years. Mike is also on the staff at the Summer Weekend Getaway weekend in Johnson, Nebraska, the Memorial Day Weekend in Omaha, Nebraska and the Rendezvous in the Rockies weekend in Castle Rock, Colorado. Mike teaches four square dance classes each year using a multi cycle program. This program has run without a stop for 21 years.

Mike joined CALLERLAB in 1986 and has served as Vice Chairman or Chairman of the Marketing and RPM Committees for 21 years. Mike is currently serving his sixth year on the CALLERLAB Board of Governors and will serve this year on the Executive Committee. Mike has been an education panelist and presenter at eleven CALLERLAB and eight National Square Dance Conventions, assisted in writing the Phoenix Plan, creating the Add A Buck program and the Winning Way's recruitment success series. Mike wrote a comprehensive square dance marketing plan for CALLERLAB that was adopted by the ARTS in 2006 and ROUNDALAB in 2007, and created Square Dance Omaha, a local organization to promote square dancing in the Omaha area. Mike has conducted caller clinics, leadership and marketing seminars in ten states.

Mike records for the Hi Hat and Blue Star record label. His recordings include Washington Square, Sea of Heartbreak, I Saw the Light, Do Wah Diddy, Save the Last Dance for Me, Chapel of Love, Nothin' but a Good Time, Don't Blame It All On Me, Green Green, and Blue Moon.

Mike calls Basics through A2 and cue's square dance level rounds. Mike is an entertainer who combines smooth and interesting choreography, with outstanding vocal talents. Mike was one of five finalists in 2012 for CALLERLAB'S Ozzie Award for most entertaining caller. Whether it's calling a dance, teaching new dancers, caller/leader education, or promoting square dancing, Mike believes he has a responsibility to be the best entertainer, educator and leader he can be.

Besides calling, Mike has worked the past 27 years in marketing, sales and management, including managing a full-service advertising agency, and a digital marketing company. Most of Mike's career has been spent in radio. Mike's education is in accounting and started in radio as the Business Manager for WOW AM/FM in Omaha, owned by Great Empire Broadcasting in Wichita, Kansas. Mike moved into sales in 1999 when the stations were purchased by Journal Broadcast Group and worked for Journal until 2011. In 2012, Mike worked as the General Manager for Rutledge Integrated Marketing and Square One Digital Services. Today, Mike works as a Market President for iHeart Media, the world's largest media company.