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In the early ‘60’s, Kenn was very active with the sponsorship of pre-teens square dance clubs. The “Ranchers and Rancherettes” eventually became one of the largest such clubs in San Diego county. In 1963 Kenn joined the U.S. Air Force and spent his first tour of service in northern California stationed at Beale Air Force Base, near Marysville/Yuba City. During this time, he called for the “Beale Twirlers,” “Thunderbirds,” and “Shirts and Skirts” (a pre-teen club). On several occasions Kenn guest called in Chico, Oroville and Sacramento with such notables as Lee Helsel, Jack Murtha and Roger Morris. Kenn’s next Air Force assignment saw him traveling to France where he was stationed at Chaumont Air Base, approximately 150 miles east of Paris. This gave Kenn the opportunity to call throughout Europe, as well as England. Through his calling experience in the service, Kenn has made long lasting friendships with square dance leaders in England. He did a calling tour to Great Britain every June for the next 25 years.
After his assignment in France, Kenn got out of the Air Force and returned to San Diego to continue his calling full time. In the mid ‘70’s, Kenn recorded a number of singing calls for the Wild West and Sets In Order record labels, including “City of New Orleans” and “Country Sunshine.” He also published several round dances which include “Down at Rosita’s” and “Top of the World.” Kenn was featured as “Caller of the Month” in the national square dance magazine, Sets In Order, in September 1973.
For 13 years Kenn was the publisher/editor of San Diego county’s square and round dance directory, the Local Square magazine. Over the next 20 years he conducted square dance tours and cruises to all areas of the globe. Some of the interesting highlights include square dancing in Russia, dancing on the Great Wall of China, calling on the ocean liner, “Queen Elizabeth II.” The largest group on tour was the 22-day trip to New Zealand and Australia when Kenn escorted 120 dancers.
He has called at a number of national square dance conventions and is a member of CALLERLAB. Kenn served as president, vice-president and secretary/treasurer of the San Diego County Square Dance Callers Association as well as president of the San Diego Round Dance Instructors Association. He cued and taught round dancing at all of his clubs, “Ocean Wavers,” “R Bees,” “Vagabonds,” and “Single Squares.” Kenn was a staff member of the Mike Woods Caller’s School in San Diego for six years.
From 1987 through mid-1990 Kenn was involved with the production of a local television show aired on San Diego’s Public Access Channels. He was co-producer and the show’s on-camera host for this half hour square and round dance program. During this time, with the assistance of many volunteers, he produced over 40 shows and the programs were televised on six of the local area cable systems.
On September 30, 1990, Kenn called his final dance in San Diego as a club caller. He had decided to retire from fulltime professional calling/cueing after 34 very active years. He was made a lifetime member of the San Diego County Square Dance Callers Association. Kenn sold his home in San Diego and relocated to northern California to a community near Paradise called Magalia. In June 1991 he became club caller for the Paradise “Ridge Runners” after the untimely death of their club caller, Ron Telford. (That was a short retirement!) Kenn called on a regular basis every Thursday for the club’s workshops and taught their beginner classes on Wednesday evenings until August, 2002, when, once again, he decided to retire. (This time for good!) However, late in 2005, Kenn was asked to be the club’s round dance cuer. After some thought, he accepted the position, with the stipulation that he was supposed to be “retired.”
Kenn now teaches the “Ridge Runners” beginner square dance class, and also conducts round dance lessons as well. He enjoys traveling with his motor home, bowling, tennis and golf (in his spare time). Kenn’s philosophy on calling and cueing has always been to show the dancers a good time and above all, "Keep the dancers dancing!”
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