The A.Y.E. Team, Premiered Mar 26, 2025 UNITED STATES
"This ain’t just another interview—this is a masterclass.
On this episode of Just A.Y.E. Conversation, we sat down with Kenny J, and he brought the HEAT.
He gave us real history on the origin of Soul Line Dance, shared his thoughts on Boots on the Ground, and spoke on his Good Morning America moment."...
-snip-
total # of YouTube views as of August 25, 2025 at 1:29 AM EDT= 990
total # of YouTube comments as of August 25, 2025 at 1:29 AM EDT= 59
****
Edited by Azizi Powell
Latest update - September 22, 2026
That post presents a March 26, 2025 interview of pioneer Soul line dance instructor Kenny J by Markis, the host of the newly launched podcast A.Y.E.*.
*The podcast name "A.Y.E." may have originated from the commonly used African American exclamation of approval or agreement "Ayeee" (or various other spellings). "Ayeee" is pronounced as an elongated form of the letter "a".
Three excerpts from the auto-generated transcription of The A.Y..E. podcast's interview with Soul line dance instructor Kenny J.
In addition to discussing the history of soul line dancing, Kenny J differentiates trail ride line dancing from soul line dancing and shares his views about why the Feb. 27, 2025 Good Morning America television show entitled "Celebrating The Legacy Of Soul Line Dancing". highlighted the "Boots On The Ground" trail ride line dance instead of a soul line dance.
The content of this post is presented for historical, socio-cultural, and entertainment purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Kenny J (Kenny Johnson) for his cultural legacy. Thanks to Markis (The A.Y.E Team). for this online interview. Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos, thanks to all those who are quoted in this post, and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
Special thanks to 803 Fresh (Douglas Furtick), for composing "Boots On The Ground" ("Where Them Fans At") and Tre Little for choreographing the "Boots On The Ground" line dance.
-snip-
For the historical and cultural record, I've decided to also document some comments from the discussion thread for Good Morning America's video entitled "Celebrating The Legacy Of Soul Line Dancing". Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2025/08/good-morning-americas-episode-that.html for that pancocojams post.
****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD
Periodically, I will add more comments from this discussion thread with month stamps. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-h5PTm9ULeo&t=2679s
2025
1. @MissEvv77
"😊My first time seeing a
line dance on YouTube that wasn't the Electric Slide was Terminal Reaction
being done by "Kenny J" and the members of The I Am Kenny J
Productions. I was hyped! I went to Newark Symphony Hall that week,
where they hosted the monthly Soul Line Dance Party. I met him and saw the many dance groups doing
their "thang"! Within a couple
of weeks, I went to classes and eventually joined the Step4Step Soul Line Dance
Family. That was over 12 years ago; my
LOVE for the Soul Line Dancing Culture is deep!
In my humble opinion, Kenny J is
a MASTER and EDUCATOR. Thank you,
"Kenny J" for sharing your e experiences and lessons on this
"life"👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🕺🏾🕺🏾🕺🏾🕺🏾💞💞💞"
**
2. @LadyTTennessee
"I agree Markis! He knew the assignment & represented"
**
Reply
3. @TheAYETeam
" @LadyTTennessee exactly 💯"
**
4. @LadyTTennessee
"exactly not about a dance or a song"
**
5. @danceurban3487
"We have to document and share knowledge without condemning."
6.
"Great interview. Now we know! Thank you, Kenny J and Markis."
Reply
7.
"@darciastandard3877 thank you"
8.
"i was at the 1st UWD with Jerome Bentley #epic"
9.
"The word 'Steppin'
used for multiple dance styles."
10.
"BOG was definitely trending at that time but I wondered why
he chose that one"
11.
"Great interview. Boots on the Ground should not have been an
option. It only introduce the world to Trailriding not Soul Line Dance. Cupid
and Big Mucci would have gave GMA all the rights you needed."
12.
"I tuned in late. Was there any discussion on intellectual
property in the Soul Line Dance community?"
**
Reply
13. @TheAYETeam
"Great question! While we didn’t dive deep into intellectual
property in this episode, it’s definitely an important topic in the soul line
dance community—especially as choreography continues to grow and spread.
We’ll absolutely keep that in mind for a future episode. It’s something that deserves real conversation, especially when it comes to ownership, credit, and protecting our creativity.
Appreciate you for bringing it up!"
**
Reply
14. @ultimatedeeva2715
"@TheAYETeam Thank you:)"
2026
15.
"great interview"
16.
"lol back in the day there were no dances out of the south!!"
**
17. @LadyTTennessee
"thanks Kenny J for that apology. I can only imagine how hectic it was on the GMA set"
"I agree Markis! He knew the assignment & represented"
**
Reply
19. @TheAYETeam
"@LadyTTennessee exactly 💯"
-snip-
I'm surmising that this comment exchange refers to the decision that Kenny J made not to
challenge Good Morning America's decision to showcase the trail ride line dance "Boots On The Ground" on that show entitled "Celebrating The Legacy Of Soul Line Dancing" instead of focusing on an example of a traditional soul line dance.
**
20. @MissEvv77
"☺️Teach, Kenny J! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾"
**
21. @danceurban3487
"Lo from Maryland and New England Soul also played an
intricate part in the development of the soul and progressive line dance
Integration in Boston. KJ and his DJ created the Soul Room after
hesitation from the Progressive DJs and
event leadership. We (Bad Girlz of Ne Soul) also competed at a world
progressive competition and they won but we did well. In years to come, the
Soul Room became a success and stayed full. Some of us learned to dance both
styles in both rooms. Kenny is a force and a light. We appreciate him more than
he knows. Nesoul was a baby group and he helped build our confidence as
instructors and dancers. Personally, every Instructor should know their own
mission and purpose. This will dictate your style. I'm me and love a variety. I
make it clear this is what I teach. I was the teacher in our group to teach the
'Southern song* line dances' being from the south. Now that every blues song
has a dance, I pick and choose the ones I dance on. All and all we need to put
in the Work to make sure our #*$ is documented as people of color. All my
comments in one text. Marquis”
-snip-
"Southern song line dances” is probably a typo for “Southern soul line dances” i.e trail ride line dances/Steppaz
line dances
22.
"We have to document and share knowledge without condemning."
**
23. @LadyTTennessee
"I was at the 1st UWD with Jerome Bentley #epic"
-snip-
In this context, "UWD" probably refers to "United We Dance (UWD), a popular
dance community and event series featuring soul line dancing.
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