Line Dance Connection:	What's your name? Do you have any dance nicknames that you're known by?
Joseph Shaw:	My name is Joseph Farris Shaw. I have a few nicknames…..Makinithappen, Joe, Joe Cool, Mr. IDGAF and my newest is Fishbowl.
Line Dance Connection:	Where are you from and what city do you call home?
Joseph Shaw:	I was born in a small city in Louisiana called Bastrop. I currently reside in Southfield, MI.
Line Dance Connection:	What do you do in your professional life? Any hobbies outside of dance?
Joseph Shaw:	I’m a hairstylist…..some folks know and some don't. I always get the “damn I didn't know you did hair face or comment”. LOL As far as hobbies outside of line dance, I’m a very artsy person who loves doing lil crafts and making my specialized t-shirts. I’m a big kid at heart but I know when it is time to be serious.
Line Dance Connection:	So what do they call this dance craze in your home town? Line Dancing, Hustling, Sliding, Other?
Joseph Shaw:	When I started it was hustling, but as I have gotten deep onto it I have caught myself calling it sliding or line dancing…….depending on where I am or who I’m talking to in the US. It’s all about the lingo
Line Dance Connection:	Are you affiliated with any group or groups?
Joseph Shaw:	I am a member of DPK and an honorary member of several other groups. I’m affiliated with Motown Hustlers even though they claim they’re not a group. They’re really a gang…...my inside joke! LOL
Line Dance Connection:	How long have you been dancing?
Joseph Shaw:	I have been “dancing” for as long as I can remember. I have taken ballet, jazz, tap, African dance, hip hop, ballroom. You name it…. I’ve probably done it.
Line Dance Connection:	How did you get involved in dancing?
Joseph Shaw:	Hmm, I guess when I heard the first beat drop. I have always loved music…..it was like the music made my body want to sway in some form.
Line Dance Connection:	After you attended your very first class, how did you feel?
Joseph Shaw:	Wow after attending my very first class I felt like the biggest dummy. I was asked to attend Gilbert’s class to learn hustles (that is where I met some of the members of my group Karen, Latasha, Tynisha…..the others came a lil later). I thought I knew something til after my first class…..I saw I knew damn near nothing. But that didn't stop me I attended both of her classes every week until I felt like I knew what I was doing. I had no idea of the vast amount of dances that they were or how large this line dance community was.
Line Dance Connection:	How did you get into choreography?
Joseph Shaw:	Choreography was the last thing on my mind. People kept telling me I was so smooth on the dance floor. I was like naw, not my style…..but low and behold a lady I didn't know her name then…just by face, she said "Joe" when are you going to create a hustle? That lady was Linda Cox Reid. I laughed it off til it actually became a reality and my first collab was created with Nichol Poyntz. That dance was P.C.P.
Line Dance Connection:	How many dances have you created and what was the very first dance you created?
Joseph Shaw:	To date I have created 6 dances. The first being a collab the remaining five are all solo projects. Though I do have creative credits in other folk’s dances.
Line Dance Connection:	Of all your dances which one would you say is your favorite?
Joseph Shaw:	My favorite would have to be my very first by myself that would be “Seductive Woman”. I was so proud of myself when I completed my first dance. I also found out how hard it is to create dances. Hats off to all choreographers from easy to hard we gets it in. it’s even better when folks come up to you and tell you how much they love your dance…it makes you feel like you did something right.
Line Dance Connection:	In your own words, what makes dancing special?
Joseph Shaw:	To me dancing is special because it is one’s own form of expression. Once the music comes on your body can be thrown into several direction from a snap, clap to a body roll or some fancy foot work. Aside from it being great exercise, I feel like dance has its own language and communication.
Line Dance Connection:	If you could change one thing about dancing, what would it be?
Joseph Shaw:	Hmmm….if I could keep the drama out then it would be lovely. Line dance is healthy and fun but the drama runs people away. None of us are perfect and we do things that we don't want everyone to know about or bring to an area that is supposed to be fun. So if the drama was eliminated that would keep the main the main thing: that would be FUN
Line Dance Connection:	Tell me one thing about yourself that the dance community would find surprising.
Joseph Shaw:	At the age of 13 I was diagnosed with having a tumor in my left knee. The doctors were talking amputation…..I literally passed out in the doctor’s office. I had three surgeries and I was on crutches for almost a year (age 13-14). I had to go through PT to learn how to walk. Everyday I’m thankful for the activity in my legs….though it pains me at times….I keep dancing!