Edited by Azizi Powell
This is Part Ii of a two part pancocojams series about two pioneers of African American (soul) urban line dancing: Dave Bush and Ray Boyd.
This post presents information about Dave Bush and showcases three YouTube videos about Ray Boyd and his line dances.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/09/dave-bush-jr-godfather-of-african.html for Part I of this pancocojams series. That post presents information about Ray Boyd and showcases three YouTube videos of Ray Boyd's line dance choreography.
The content of this post is presented for historical, socio-cultural, and entertainment purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Ray Boyd for his cultural legacy. Thanks to all those who are featured in these showcased videos and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the videographers and publishers of these videos.
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INFORMATION ABOUT RAYMOND (RAY) BOYD
[Pancocojams Editor's Note: The words or letters in brackets are my addition to or suggested correction of something in this excerpt.
I believe that "he" in the following excerpt refers to Ray Boyd.]
https://urbanlinedancehistory.com/pioneers-q-z [The letter 'q" is probably a typo for the letter "a"]
"It is with great pleasure that I have the opportunity to introduce the community award and lifetime achievement [to] individual[s] who ha[ve] been instrumental to many in our community of Urban R & B SOUL Line Dance.
Their journey in dance started as early as 2 years old where they were introduced to Tap Dancing that later influences of dance with Ballet, Jazz and Modern Dance were added to their dancing ‘STYLE’ – This nurtures the appreciation we all have for the smooth style, SLIDE or GLIDE the closes with the smooth SNAP in each and every move on the floor.
When the EAST COAST began to meet and greet the Midwest at the LINE, he was right there with his Smooth and Suave manners yet ROCKING it out on the floor with the best of his dance colleagues.
The beginning of his Soul Line Dance journey is attributed to the Godfather of Line Dance, Dave Bush who introduced the Philadelphia Delaware Valley area to this dancing style known as Line Dancing. The early dances that marked a start of his enjoyment with dance was with the “Stiff Leg” Style and engaging in various challenges and competitions that started way back in his high school years. The early connections to dance with the God Father of Line Dance, Dave Bush were known as ‘Silky Smooth’ and “Carpet baggers” between 1964-1966. The first SOUL line dance learned was the “Detroit Strut’ also known as – Jazzy Lady.
Over the years of his LOVE for dancing he has shared his vocals, choreography, and SMOOTH STYLING on the LINE, Chicago Stepping and to the native Bop, Strand and 2-Stepping in Philadelphia. He has also taught with a Philadelphia late and great “Otis Givens” with Salsa and Chicago Stepping.
Early influences with choreography were during his performance and singing career – he would prepare the routines for stage engagement. Although his creative style and energy began throughout all of the aforementioned experiences, when he retired in 2005 – he was determined to enjoy life and, in his words, “Do what HE wants to DO” – This meant teaching all the styles of dance that he enjoyed and loving the performances, showcases, competitions and opportunities he began to encounter.
He would be known to gather dancers within the Dave Bush Dancers and later Tri-State Elite to showcase a new choreography at every opportunity that his mind would CREATE! He has shared that his favorite collaboration was with fellow Lifetime Achievement, Bernardette Burnette – “Share My Life”. Additionally, he favors the dances and collaborations of “Fab 4’, “Kick that Shhh…”, “Level 322”, ‘Sensual Sensai’, “Daddy V and HUSH – just to name a few.
He was one of the original dancers of “Souline” TV show and the next generation of Soul Line television with “Grooveline” Promo TV. When his daughter Victoria was 5 years old, he introduced her to the community with Dave Bush Dancers and she has collaborated with her father and other dance contributions as well.
He values and believes in maintaining health with movement and variety of other strategies. Movement is one of the most important things to him for everyone. During the pandemic, he held Line Dance, Salsa, and Chicago stepping class outside at the tennis courts in Philadelphia Fairmont Park.
As we welcome him to the floor to greet and acknowledge his contribution and achievement at the current age of 74 – We refer to him as the Sensai, the Master Teacher – the One and Only Raymond Boyd. We honor your contributions to the urban dance community and welcome you to this community with your fellow LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENTS and plenty more years of LOVE, Dance and Freedom."
" More info about Raymond Boyd (Ray Boyd) from UC Star Awards Jan 2023.
age - he said, "74 and looking for more"
When Ray retired in 2005 he decided he was going to "DO what HE wants to DO". That was teaching dance. Throughout this time he taught, choreographed, and performed with "Tri-State Elite", Shante Lee (SILK), and the Dave Bush Dancers.
The 1st Soul Line dance he learned was the "Detroit Strut" (Jazzy Lady)
The 1st Soul Line dance he Choreographed was "Mr. Quick"
He does Salsa, and taught Chicago Stepping with the late Great "Otis Givens".
Performed in both Competitions and Showcases
Traveled around the country for dances and events in the Midwest, has been honored in Atlanta Baltimore, Philadelphia, and through the line dance community nationally.
Brought the youngest of 5 children, 33-year-old Victoria to Dave Bush's class with him when SHE was only 5 years old. She later continues to dance and also collaborated dances with her dad.
Some of the dances and collabs Ray created: "Share My Life", "Fab 4", 'Kick that SH..", "Level 322", "Sensual Sensai", "Daddy V" and "HUSH" just to name a few.
Ray was one of the original dancers on the "Soulline" TV show and "Grooveline" Promo TV
During the pandemic, Ray Boyd held line dance classes outside at the tennis court.
Ray promotes "FAMILY" and "FUN".
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From Urban Line Dance Connection Interview Profiles. Thanks Nichol.
My name is Raymond Boyd Sr. and my nickname in the industry is Sensei.
I am from North Philadelphia, and Philadelphia is my home.
Professionally, I’m a dance instructor. In addition to dancing, I enjoy playing tennis and chess.
In my home town we call this dance craze “line dancing”.
The very first dance group I was affiliated with was the Dave Bush Dancers. In addition, I was with Tri State Elite Dancers and Carpet Baggers.
I have been dancing all my life. My mother taught me how to tap when I was 2.
I got involved with dancing when Dave Bush taught in his basement. I wasn’t really a student….I was always a dancer.
After I attended my first class I felt special, confident and happy as hell.
I used to do choreography for my singing group in the early 60's called Ethics Group. Observation: He never told us he was a singer! LOL Back to the normal questions.
I have created over 50 dances and the first dance I created was Mister Quick.
My favorite collab is Share My Life and my favorite solo dance is Kick That Shhhhhhhhhh."...
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SHOWCASE VIDEO #1-Ep 1: Interview with Raymond Boyd, Line Dance Choreographer and Instructor, Philadelphia PA
410 TV, Feb 4, 2018
UC Awards Soul Line Dancing, UC Awards 2018
410 TV traveled to UC Awards 2018 to interview some of the most influential soul line dancers today. We had a great opportunity to interview the "legendary" Raymond Boyd of Philadelphia, PA.
410 TV mission is to help increase awareness of soul line dancing, we’re bringing the best of the 410 Line Dancers experience to YouTube. Introducing 410 TV. It’s 410 Line Dancers TV designed for the Soul Line Dancing, YouTube generation. We hope you enjoy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7MGMVqQFRs
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SHOWCASE VIDEO #2-Terminal Reaction
iamkennyj, May 29, 2009
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9CUf6MKhV0&t=11s
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SHOWCASE VIDEO #3 - RAY BOYD DANCES F O P MOTOWN NIGHT 07 26 2012
Tamika Shipman (Paparazzi), Aug 21, 2012
Ray Boyd was celebrated at the F.O.P. in Philadelphia for his birthday (I won't tell his age). The dances highlighted are GOOD FOOT, TERMINAL REACTION, SENSUAL SENSEI, and SETENTA y DOS salsa line dance. Please excuse the recording for Sensual Sensei. My camera was off centered but it's one of Ray's dances loved by many so I had to show it anyway. All the dances shown were created by Ray Boyd. I wanna be like Ray when I grow up!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUVW8RZXYJQ
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This concludes Part II of this pancocojams series.
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