LOU MAIURI
with
RHYS JONES &
CHRISTINA WHEELER
About Lou Maiuri
Lou Maiuri (pronounced my-YOUR-ee), founder and director of the Appalachian Country Cloggers, is known across the country for his abilities as a clogger, flatfooter, and old-time mountain style square dance caller. A 1998 inductee into America's Clogging Hall of Fame and a 1988 member of the All-American Clogging Team, Lou has won countless awards both as a solo performer and competition team dancer. Most recently, in February 2005, he was the grand champion flatfoot dancer at the Florida State Clogging Competition in Tampa, FL. Over its almost 20-year existence, his team has racked up numerous awards across the southeastern United States, including national championships in both the Running Set and Country Hoedowns.
Lou is equally well-known for his abilities as a teacher and has dedicated the past 25 years of his life to spreading Appalachian culture across the country. Every summer people can see him at West Virginia state parks, where he entertains and teaches visiting campers. He is also a regular caller and instructor at the Vandalia Gathering and the Appalachian String Band Festival and works at the Augusta Heritage Festival at Davis & Elkins College as a mountain dance caller and instructor. He currently serves as treasurer and workshop chairman of America's Clogging Hall of Fame and is a certified judge of competitive clogging, flatfoot, and traditional square dancing. Additionally, Lou has volunteered thousands of hours giving lessons to people wanting to learn how to dance and has worked with schools, senior centers, nursing homes, and 4-H camps across West Virginia.
In July 2000, Lou had the privilege of dancing on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry with the Melvin Sloan Dancers during the Opry's 75th Anniversary celebration. In May 2008, he will be honored by the State of West Virginia as the annual recipient of the Vandalia Award, the state's highest honor for those who have contributed to the preservation of the old-time mountain culture.
Lou is 79 years old and currently lives in Summersville, WV, with his wife of 57 years, Jessie. He has two children, six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.