George “Woogie” Watchetaker
Active: ’30s, ’40s - Genre: World
Biography
A performer of powwow music as a vocalist, drummer, and award-winning fancy dancer, George “Woogie” Watchetaker was above all a spiritual leader for Comanche people. Watchetaker was a five-time world-champion fancy dancer, a style of American Indian dances regularly performed at powwows throughout the Indian nations. He was often involved in effective lobbying for recognition of Native Americans within his community, and in the ’90s, he helped spearhead the Crowell, OK, Chamber of Commerce decision to change the name of its annual spring festival to Cynthia Ann Parker Days in honor of the great female Comanche chief Cynthia Ann Parker, or Qanah Parker.
~ By Eugene Chadbourne, All Music Guide
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I got to know Woogie during powwows in the early 70s. His wife Eva was one of the classiest ladies I’ve EVER met! I have some lovely photos we took of Woogie preparing for the night’s dancing. One shows me tying one of his wristbands on.
A truly magnificent gent! Very earthy and mischievous. A fireplug that shot fireworks.
Pepper
Another thought: Did you know Leonard Anquoe? Kiowa straight dancer married to Woogie’s niece in the 70s. I would love to contact him.
Pepper
Note from Cheryl: If anyone knows how to contact Leonard Anquoe, please contact me and I will pass it on to Pepper! Thanks!
Woogie was a raindancer and he danced at my wedding to stop the rain. It worked. I got married outside at the Little River Bluegrass festival and it was pouring rain. He did a dance that stopped the rain over the festival grounds, but it rained in a complete circle all around the festival. Vickie