Mike Hogan – Biography
Mike Hogan is from La Vista, Nebraska where he lives with his wife Denise. They have two children and three grandchildren.
Mike was forced by his parents to take square dance lessons in 1975. At the time Mike sang in two groups at school and played guitar and saxophone. Mike instantly wanted to learn to call and called his first tip two days before graduating from Mainstream lesson in early 1976 at age 13. Since then, he has been a club caller for several clubs in the Omaha area including youth, mainstream and plus clubs. He has been the club caller for the same club in Omaha for the past 47 years.
Mike has called in 40 states, travels regularly and has been featured at many festivals, weekends, and state conventions. In addition, Mike has called and managed the Okoboji Spring Fling at Lake Okoboji, Iowa for the past 42 years. Mike is also on the staff at the Summer Weekend Getaway weekend in Johnson, Nebraska, and the Memorial Day Weekend in Omaha, Nebraska, and the Rendezvous in the Rockies weekend in Boulder, CO.
Mike joined CALLERLAB in 1986 and served as Vice Chairman or Chairman of the Marketing and RPM Committees for 22 years. Mike is currently serving his twelfth year on the Board of Governors and has served twice as Vice Chairman. Mike has been an education panelist and presenter at eighteen CALLERLAB and fifteen National Square Dance Conventions, assisted in writing the Phoenix Plan, creating the Add a Buck program and the Winning Way’s recruitment success series. Mike wrote a comprehensive square dance marketing plan for CALLERLAB that was adopted by the ARTS in 2006 and ROUNDALAB in 2007. Mike organized and was the primary author of the CALLERLAB Square Dance Marketing Manual, released in March 2018. Mike has conducted caller clinics, leadership, and marketing seminars in twelve states and multiple on-line seminars.
Mike records for the Blue Star, Hi Hat, and Rawhide square dance record labels.
Mike calls Basics through A2 and cue’s square dance level rounds. Mike is an entertainer who combines smooth and interesting choreography with outstanding vocal talents. Mike was one of five finalists in 2012 for CALLERLAB’S Ozzie Award for most entertaining caller. Whether it’s calling a dance, teaching new dancers, caller/leader education, or promoting square dancing, Mike believes he has a responsibility to be the best entertainer, educator and leader he can be.
Besides calling, Mike has worked for the past 34 years in marketing, sales and management, including managing a full-service advertising agency, and a digital marketing company. Most of Mike’s career has been spent in radio. Mike’s education is in accounting and started in radio as the Business Manager for WOW AM/FM in 1991. Mike moved into sales in 1999 when the stations were purchased. He has since held roles including Account Executive, Sales Manager and Station Manager. Mike left radio for a short while to work as the General Manager for Rutledge Integrated Marketing and Square One Digital Services. Today, Mike is President and General Manager of Summit Media, a radio broadcast and digital media marketing company in Omaha, Nebraska.