What Are "Trail Ride" Line Dances & How Are They Different From Some Other African American ("Soul") Line Dances?

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest revision - August 3, 2026

This is Part I of a two part pancocojams series on the differences between contemporary African American trail ride line dancing and some contemporary and older "soul" line dances.

This post showcases the five YouTube videos of contemporary African American trail ride line dancing. That post also includes selected comments from a Facebook page about trail ride line dancing

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2025/08/comments-from-discussion-threads-of.html for Part II of this pancocojams series. That post showcases four * YouTube video examples of  African American contemporary trail ride dancing. Selected comments from the discussion threads for four of these videos are also included in this post. The comment feature is turned off for Video #3.  Instead of comments, an excerpt of a 2021 article about African American trail rides is given after that video.. 

The content of this post is presented for historical, socio-cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and all those who are featured in these showcased videos. Thanks to all the singers and choreographers of the songs that are featured in these showcased videos. Thanks also to all the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
-snip-
* August 1, 2026. This pancocojams post originally showcased five YouTube videos. I just learned that the video that I arbitrarily labeled as Showcase Video #1 is no longer available on YouTube. That video documented a large group of Black trail riders  outdoors "stepping" in a circle line dance to the House music anthem  "Follow Me."

Fortunately, I had copied some comments from that video's discussion thread to be included in a pancocojams post. Those comments are presented in Part II of this pancocojams series.  

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S DISCLAIMER
I seldom line dance.  I'm not a dance historian. And, regrettably, I've never been to a trail ride.

The information that is compiled in this pancocojams series on "Trail ride line dances" is gleaned from my internet searches.

Additions and corrections are very welcome.

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A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF AFRICAN AMERICAN LINE DANCING AND/OR TRAIL RIDE DANCING (Revised August 3, 2026)
Here's some information about  African American line dances in general and/or specifically trail ride line dances: 

Additions and corrections are welcome.

African American Line Dances

-"Line dance" is one of the referents that African Americans use for types of dances that are performed by groups of people standing in horizontal lines while performing certain choreographed steps while (usually) moving to face four walls (four different directions).

-Instead of the referent "line dance", African Americans from various parts of the United States may refer to these types of group dances as "hustles" "slides", "two-steps", or "stepping". However, those terms have other meanings besides "line dancing."

-African American line dances can be performed by people of all ages, genders, and races/ethnicities dancing together. However, these dances are usually performed by African American women who are 30 years and older. 

-African American line dancing are mostly performed to a non-religious record from the soul (particularly Southern Soul, R&B, Hip Hop, House, and Zydeco music genre). However, African American line dancing may also be performed to religious record from the Gospel genre.

-Dancers are usually silent while performing African American line dancing. Onlookers are also usually silent while watching that dancing being performed and don't clap, chant, yell, or give shout outs to dancers during these dances.

-Dancers usually have a serious (not smiling or joyful) demeanor while performing African American line dancing (as if to convey that they are serious (intent) on doing that routine.

-Some of the records for African American line dances have instructional lyrics (i.e. "lyrics that tell listeners how to do that dance; how to move). Other records for African American line dancing aren't instructional and are repurposed dance records.

-With the exception of those that are performed to instructional records, most African
American line dances have more than one version of their routine during the same period of time or in specific cities and states. However, there may be a version of that line dance that becomes so popular during that period of time that it becomes "canon" (meaning that particular way of doing that dance is usually considered "the only way" that that specific dance is correctly done. 

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Trail ride versions (of African American line dances)

-"Trail ride versions" are group dances that may either be versions of older African American line dances, versions of older or current African American social dances, or newly created line dances.

-Trail ride versions are also referred to as "circle line dances".

-The referent "trail ride versions" comes from how these dances are performed and where this style of dancing originated (i.e. outdoors during African American trail rides, particularly those trail rides in certain states in the American south, particularly South Carolina where African American trail rides (events) occur. However, trail ride versions can be performed during non-trail ride occasions

-Trail ride organizers began in the mid 1980s pulling sound setups—famously nicknamed the "Bread Truck" or using large boomboxes—on the trails themselves, turning the outdoor rides into moving parties that ended in massive campouts, feasting, and field dancing. [source: AI Overview]

-Trail Ride versions are performed by females and males that is usually younger than the population for African American line dances.

-In contrast to African American line dances that are performed by people standing in horizontal lines, "trail ride versions" are performed by people standing in a vertical single line which moves in a (usually winding) circular, follow the leader fashion. These dances have the same formations as conga lines and historically Black Greek letter fraternity or sorority strolls. However, the ways that trail ride versions are performed differ from the ways that conga lines or historically Greek letter fraternity/sorority strolls are performed. 

-More than one single line of trail ride dancers can (and usually does) occur at the same time and in the same space. These lines don't cross each other during their winding, circular movements.  

[The other points that are listed above for line dancing also apply to "trail ride versions:.

Read more about "trail rides" and "trail ride dances" in the comment section below and in the comment section for Part I of this pancocojams series.

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COMMENTS ABOUT HOW TRAIL RIDE LINE DANCES ARE DANCED DIFFERENTLY THAN OTHER SOUL LINE DANCES

From https://www.facebook.com/groups/164844910212525/posts/9708047532558834/ "Why make a distinction between trailride and line dances?" UniverSOUL Line Dancing  ·

Numbers added for referencing purposes only.
All of these comments are from January 2025

1. Regina Thomas
"I have a question.

Why make a big deal between trailride dances and line dances?

Doesn't it all bring us together to have a good time? If you can't do one dance..slide over to the other one. Just dance"

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2.Angie Causey Fnp
"There isn't a difference as long as people SPACE is respected I'm cool just split the floor.

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3. Barbara Baylor
"Yes. You're right. We are all dancing to have fun. The question was is there a difference between Trailriders and line dancing. Things do evolve over time as has line dancing (country, R&B, soul/urban line dancing, hip-hop, etc.). Even before these there was African (not African American) line dances that used a stomp upbeat steps with drums and instruments. My sense is that Trailriders seems to be a bit more upbeat, peppy and bouncy with a bit of stomp in the step which appeals to a younger audience, while seemingly, traditional line dances uses chassee, slide and glide style steps. Our very own, loveable Big Mucci created Trailriders Shuffle in 2019 in dedication to the Trailriders and Saddleback club Riders( persons who ride horses and engage in Mountain Bike riding).

I think all styles can be used in line dances. After all, what is line dancing? Dances done in a group, mostly lines, with everyone doing the same steps. The clicker is doing the steps as they work for you. So while we are all having fun dancing and exercising remember, some of us have back, knee, hip and weight challenges that will not allow for fast upbeat steps. So, we all have to choose to do what we can and cannot do. But have fun while doing it.

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3. Lorrie Wallace
"Barbara Baylor Best explanation I’ve ever read."

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4. Regina Thomas
"Barbara Baylor I. Absolutely. Love. Your. Response. Thank you. Thank you"

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5. Denton Elisha
"Barbara Baylor the best comment I ever seen on line dancing period. I have back and knee issues, and I am an instructor, so I only teach what my body allows me to do. Trail ride dancing is different from line dancing. I gave up on the first dance, it is for the younger crowd. The only question I have is, because of the way they move, are they claiming a line dance already created?"

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6. Catrina Daniel
"Barbara Baylor lots of bouncing in trail ride. I like smooth"

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7. Charlene Tilghman
"Barbara Baylor facts. People are trying to monopolize line dancing and take the fun out of the fellowship aspects. Dancing should be fun, energizing, and done with your own limitations."

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8. Ejaya Johnson
"TOMATO TOMÂTO"

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9. Leslie Marie
"We do both.. All Things evolve ..

I'm proud of the young cats! They got the pulse of line dancing right now! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽"

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10. Nicole Timberlake-Lynch
"Do what make you feel good. People say all we do is Linedancing. We don’t do regular dancing (man&woman) together. U have Steppers. U have trailriders. If you DONT like anybody’s dance don’t do it. Everyone grown do what you like and do it 😂😂Regina I agree what you saying if it brings people together just do or sit down wait til a song you like then dance."

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11. Charlie Robinson
"I didn't know there was controversy. I need to get out more. 😂"

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12. Carah Herring
"Charlie Robinson same!"

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13. Tiffani Drinks
"I need some trail riding 👢 fast, they do dance different, I need that Country Girl jawn🤣🤣🤣✅✅❤️🖤💚💯"

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14. Hope It'sLisa Buckner
"I don't think it's a big deal, as far as the dancing goes. Where I have seen the division is when a linedance that has been created years prior, is reintroduced as a trailride dance, giving no credit to the original dance and choreographer. I do and teach both in my urban class; however, I let my students know the difference. Trailride dances have always been around, but they have become super popular recently.

I love dancing period, so I'm good with all of it! I say: do what pleases you!

I'm not up to debating with anyone; just speaking my truth.

# let's all dance"

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15. Jamiylah Miller
"Hope It'sLisa Buckner Valid point!!!"

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16. DeMeria SeGuan
"Hope It'sLisa Buckner and the over emphasis on them as if that’s the best thing smoking…then it’s the damn fan combination for me."

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17.Frankeisha Franscreationz Hill
"Facts"

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18. Cheresse Harris
"I love the high energy from both!"

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19. Mitzi Berryan
"I do them both ❤️❤️"

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20. Eureka Bennett
"I love them both and teach both. I ask my classes which one they like if there is a song with a dance for both, then that's the one I will teach. Trailrides are becoming easier to learn and teach because most line dances are becoming a whole dance routine😂, with 3 and 4 parts with a bridge lol."

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21. Akili McLamore
"I really don't see the difference."

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22. Hester Mitchell
"Like I have said before, there is a difference. With trailriders in their moves they mostly all do the same move. They move back and forth with the rock of the upper body, they stomp their feet a little harder, and when they do a turn instead of a 123, or a cha cha cha they pick up their foot and just swing it around. I just don't believe they count as we do in line dancing. Out here in Texas as I said the trailriders use to hate to see us coming, because we line danced to everything to whereas they only had a couple dances they could dance to. So in saying all of that I have taught some of the real trailriders dance that they have come up with."

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33. Regina Thomas
"Hester Mitchell they've evolved. Just like line dance has over the years. Which is a good thing. That's why they're joining us on the cruise"

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34. Hester Mitchell
"Regina Thomas can't be beat them might as well join them. That's what they said, because they had to realize how big the line dancing community is. Can't wait!"

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35. Theresa Ross
"I love both."

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36. Lucy Lu J.
"What is a Trailride dancer"

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37. Regina Thomas
"Lucy Lu J. Barbara Baylor gives the absolute best explanation of a trailrider/dancer"

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38. Odette N. Bell
"Lucy Lu J. I wondered the same. Never heard of that. I even Googled it, but that didn't help. I'm assuming it might be like having steppers and ballroomers on the floor at the same time. I don't know. 🤷🏾‍♀️"

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39. Kim Jones Cummings
"Trail rides is more country (music like blues or more southern songs & clothing like boots, hats, fans, shorts) hence trail ride like a cowboy.

Hustle is more of a northern term with more R&B, pop, rap songs & usually at a faster pace.

They all are line dances cause you get in a line with repetitive steps."

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SHOWCASE VIDEOS OF TRAIL RIDE LINE DANCES
(These videos are given in no particular order. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.)

SHOWCASE VIDEO #1 - Song/line dance "Follow Me"
This video was originally found at the top of this pancocojams post, but unfortunately is no longer available on YouTube. Fortunately, I retrieved some comments from that video's discussion thread and published them in Part II of this pancocojams series.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #2 - Trailriders Shuffle Official Video Big Mucci Ft. Rico C

Big Mucci, Oct 1, 2020

Big Mucci The King of LineDance Music & Rico C brings you the Official Video for the TrailRiders Shuffle LineDance. a Mixture of Southern Soul and Trailriders Music

Song: Trailriders Shuffle

Artist: Big Mucci Ft. Rico C

Visuals by: Mr. Kap Bugsy of THEKAPXTC Visual Production

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #3-  Boots On The Ground Line Dance Trail Ride Drone view & more

#30Talk, Apr 1, 2025

""EPIC" 2025 Boots on the ground Trail Ride in NC.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #4 - Tonio Armani - Country Girl (Sparta, GA)

Tonio Armani, May 20, 2025  SPARTA

Tonio Armani Live In Sparta, Georgia

#TonioArmani #CountryGirl #LineDance

Song : Country Girl

Artist : Tonio Armani

Video Shot By @iamyungnina

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #5 - (Shot On Iphone)⁠​⁠ 803Fresh - Boots on the Ground w/ DJ CLEVE & TNT Steppaz | BET Buck TV

Buck Tv, Mar 26, 2025  SOUTH CAROLINA
The energy was off the charts at the tour kickoff! Watch 803 Fresh deliver an electrifying live performance of his #1 Billboard R&B hit, "Boots on the Ground," produced by T Da Wizard and Snake Eyes Music Group. Featuring special guest DJ CLEVE and the legendary TNT Steppers, this unforgettable night marks the beginning of an epic tour. Don't miss out on this exclusive performance only on Buck TV Network!

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This concludes Part I of this two part pancocojams series.

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