Line Dance Connection:

What's your name? Do you have any dance nicknames that you're known by?

Leslie Brand:

My name is Leslie Marie Brand.  My dance nickname is “L Breezy”.

Robert Brand:

My name is Robert Lee Brand.  My dance nickname is “RobBass in the Place”.

 

 

Line Dance Connection:

Where are you from and what city do you call home?

Leslie Brand:

I’m from Bardstown, KY. I’ve lived most of my life in Louisville, KY.

Robert Brand:

I grew up in Brownsville, TN. I now live in Louisville, KY.

 

 

Line Dance Connection:

What do you do in your professional life? Any hobbies outside of dance?

Leslie Brand:

I work the assembly line at Ford-KY Truck Plant.  I like to travel and I’m a music lover.

Robert Brand:

I am a fabricating welder.  I bowl, I like mixing music and I like to draw.

 

 

Line Dance Connection:

So what do they call this dance craze in your home town? Line Dancing, Hustling, Sliding, Other?

Leslie Brand:

People always ask me “are y’all stepping tonight?” LOL Then I’ll say “line dancing”.  It’s not big in Louisville.

Robert Brand:

They just say line dancing.

 

 

Line Dance Connection:

Are you affiliated with any group or groups?

Leslie & Robert Brand:

We’ve been with Louisville Slyde for quite a while now.

 

 

Line Dance Connection:

How long have you been dancing?

Leslie Brand:

I believe started dancing in 2006, so 7 years.

Robert Brand:

I’ve been dancing since 2004, so about 9 years.

 

 

Line Dance Connection:

How did you get involved in dancing?

Leslie Brand:

I heard about some people line dancing at this club, but I worked nights so I could only go when I could get off work. I called the club and asked how long do they dance, and they told me “till they get tired”. I thought tired from what, the electric slide? So I was curious to what else could be going on. When I went, I saw them dancing like these routines and they were having fun just dancing. I had never done anything like this so I challenged myself to come and learn.

Robert Brand:

I ran into a friend of the family who told me about a line dance group he was with and asked me to come check them out at the church. I went and it was fun……good atmosphere.

 

 

Line Dance Connection:

After you attended your very first class, how did you feel?

Leslie Brand:                 

At first I was shy and scared…..I would look real lame. But I got to meet some really cool people that helped me get comfortable being there. So the more I came out, the more confident I became.

Robert Brand:

I felt nervous at first because I thought it was silly. It’s different from free styling but I told myself……I’m going to give it a chance.

 

 

Line Dance Connection:

How did you get into choreography?                                               

Leslie Brand:

When we started dating, Rob would be over at the house, late….LOL. And we would be listening to music and he would start spinning around in the kitchen. I would just watch….he would do a move and I was like, “wait..wait a minute..do that again”. Then I would rewind the music. Piece by piece, it would come together. The scary part was showcasing it to others. It took courage and believing in yourself.

Robert Brand:

I figured I had learned enough and I understood it enough to make up a dance, so I tried it.

 

 

Line Dance Connection:

How many dances have you created and what was the very first dance you created?

Leslie & Robert Brand:

Together, we have created 5 Leslie has created 2 solo dances and Robert has created 4 solo dances.

 

Leslie’s first dance was “Rocking The Latest” done to “Can’t Help But Wait” by Trey Songs.  Robert’s first dance was “High Octane” done to “Secrets” by Janet Jackson.

 

 

Line Dance Connection:

Of all your dances which one would you say is your favorite?

Leslie & Robert Brand:

We both agree….it’s “High Octane” LOL!

 

 

Line Dance Connection:

In your own words, what makes dancing special?

Leslie Brand:

Dancing is special because of the emotions people put into it. Some more than others. The shyest person starts dancing and you see a different side of them.

Robert Brand:

People can put their heart into it. When you watch other’s dancing and they putting their own twist on it, that’s special.

 

 

Line Dance Connection:

If you could change one thing about dancing, what would it be?

Leslie Brand:

Maybe take the “egotism” out of it. (Celebrate “our” individual talents as dancers).

Robert Brand:

That would be hard.

 

 

Line Dance Connection:

Tell me one thing about yourself that the dance community would find surprising.

Leslie Brand:

In middle school, high school, and college, I played the piccolo and flute.  So I’m a marching band junkie.

Robert Brand:

I have 10 brothers and sisters.