About me...
My name’s Paul Badrick (PJ), I’m a fully qualified line dance instructor with over 20 years experience as both dancer and instructor, based in Durham. You will also find me as resident DJ and dance instructor at several country music festivals throughout the year, and I also enjoy performing as solo country artist “Paul James”, playing country music from many artists including Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Merle Haggard, Gary Allan, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, The Eagles, George Strait and Hal Ketchum to name just a few. Check out the 'Paul James Music' section above to see where I'm playing next. I also have a regular radio show on ukcountryradio.com. You can visit my page to find out more about it here.
For a social night out with friends and family, I went to my first line dancing class back in October 1996 and have been hooked ever since.
I started attending classes five nights a week and in August 1997, went to the very first "Chance To Dance" festival hosted by the Dean Brothers at Harrogate, where I found I had a real passion for this hobby.
PJ - the singer and instructor
PJ - the singer and instructor
PJ - the singer and instructor
PJ - the singer and instructor
Not only was I enjoying learning the dances and participating in the classes and festivals, I realised I had an aptitude for explaining the dances and teaching them to others. A small number of dancers wanted to learn more up to date dances which were popular at festivals so I started teaching one class a week. Gradually, more people heard of the class and started to come along - that was when I started teaching more seriously. I took exams with the Scottish Western Academy Of Dance (S.W.A.D.) in March 1998. The S.W.A.D. has since folded so I am now a member of the Best Western Dance Academy.
2012 saw the start of my new Country Music & Line Dance club called Redneck CWC based at Belmont in Durham. I also hosted my first weekend country music festival in 2014 - Phoenix CMF.
Over the years I have taught many classes in different locations. I now teach just once a week and run regular live nights and workshops. I have a loyal following, with many of my class having been with me since day one.
As well as being a keen line dancer and instructor, I also choreograph my own dances. In May 1999, I entered a dance I choreographed (called Limbo Rock) into Ann Napier's (S.W.A.D.) choreography competition up in Dalkeith. The dance was one of over 60 entries and made it to the last eight. At the final, the choreographers demonstrated their dances and my dance was announced as the winner. After the competition, I changed the name of the dance to "Eruption" and put it to Volcano by Jimmy Buffet (from Toe The Line 4). Please see the “My Choreography” link above for further details of my dances.