Gem's Line Dancing: crystal boot awards

Yesterday I posted the Crystal Boot Award Nominations for the Absolute Beginner and Beginner Level Dances so it seems only right that today I post the harder level dances, namely the Improver, Intermediate and Advanced Level Dances.

If like me, you are struggling to decide which dances you'd like to vote for, then hopefully this will help!

Improver Dances

5 Times You

5 Times You was choreographed by Niels Poulsen to You You You by Lukas Graham in August 2025. It's a 32 count, 4 wall line dance. The video listed above was taken from Niels' YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - 5 Times You

All The Small Things

All The Small Things was choreographed by Maggie Gallagher to a track of the same name by Tyler Rich in March 2025. It's a 32 count, 4 wall line dance. The video listed above was taken from Maggie's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - All The Small Things

Azizam

Azizam was choreographed by Simon Ward, Jean-Pierre Madge & Amy Glass Bailey to a track of the same name by Ed Sheeran in April 2025. It's a 32 count, 4 wall line dance. The video listed above was taken from Yves Sanchez's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Azizam

Follow Til the End

Follow Til The End was choreographed by Maggie Gallagher to Follow by Maria Sur in August 2025. It's a 32 count, 4 wall line dance. The video listed above was taken from Maggie's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Follow Til The End

Heel, Toe Rodeo

Heel Toe Rodeo was choreographed by Gary O'Reilly to Cowboy Up by Kaylee Bell in November 2024. It's a 32 count, 4 wall line dance. The video listed above was taken from Gary's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Heel Toe Rodeo

Love Me to Heaven

Love Me To Heaven was choreographed by Gregory Danvoie & Guillaume Richard to Love Me To Heaven by The Jonas Brothers in March 2025. It's a 32 count, 4 wall line dance. The video listed above was taken from Gregory's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Love Me To Heaven

Real Men Cry

Real Men Cry was choreographed by Maddison Glover to Cry by Lee Brice in February 2025. It's a 32 count, 4 wall line dance. The video listed above was taken from Maddison's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Real Men Cry

Slow Motion

Slow Motion was choreographed by Grace David, Roy Verdonk, & Jeffke Camps to a track of the same name by Marshmellow & The Jonas Brothers in April 2025. It's a 32 count, 4 wall line dance. The video listed above was taken from Jeffke's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Slow Motion

Tell Me

Tell Me was choreographed by Gary O'Reilly to Grandpa (Tell Me 'bout The Good Old Days) by Kalsey Kulyk in October 2025. It's a 32 count, 4 wall line dance. The video listed above was taken from Gary's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Tell Me

Trailblazer

Trailblazer was choreographed by Vikki Morris to Trailblazer by Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert & Lainey Wilson in May 2025. It's a 64 count, 4 wall line dance. The video listed above was taken from Vikki's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Trailblazer

Intermediate Dances

Beautiful Stranger

Beautiful Stranger was choreographed by Gary O'Reilly to a track of the same name by Toby Keith in May 2025. It's a 32 count, 2 wall line dance. The video listed above was taken from Kelly G Line Dance's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Beautiful Stranger

Electric Vibe

Electric Vibe was choreographed by Jamie Barnfield & Karl-Harry Winson to Make A Move by 2341 Studios [AI], in January 2025. It's a 64 count, 2 wall line dance. The video listed above was taken from Karl's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Electric Vibe

Foolish Feelings

Foolish Feelings was choreographed by Fred Whitehouse & Niels Poulsen to Stop by Nolan Sotillo in February 2025. It's a 72 count, 1 wall line dance. The video listed above was taken from Niels' YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Foolish Feelings

God Damned Beautiful

God Damned Beautiful was choreographed by Debbie Rushton to a track of the same name by The Scarlet Opera in February 2025. It's a 16 count, 4 wall line dance. The video listed above was taken from AmandaJW's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - God Damned Beautiful

Go to Hawaii

Go To Hawaii was choreographed by Maddison Glover to Hawaii on Me by Chris Janson in May 2025. It's a 32 count, 2 wall line dance. The video listed above was taken from Maddison's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Go To Hawaii

Head Over Feet

Head Over Feet was choreographed by Maddison Glover to Maybe by Guy Sebastian, in April 2025. It's a 64 count, 2 wall line dance. The video listed above was taken from Maddison's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Head Over Feet

I Believe

I Believe was choreographed by Simon Ward to Believe by Brooks & Dunn with Jellyroll in February 2025. It's a 32 count, 2 wall line dance. The video listed above was taken from Simon's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - I Believe

Million Dollar Smile

Million Dollar Smile was choreographed by Simon Ward to Something About The Way You Look Tonight by Elton John in July 2025. It's a 32 count, 2 wall line dance. The video listed above was taken from Simon's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Million Dollar Smile

No Remorse

No Remorse was choreographed by Simon Ward & Niels Poulsen to Not Your Man by Teddy Swims in March 2025. It's a 64 count, 2 wall line dance. The video listed above was taken from Simon's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - No Remorse

No Time To Talk

No Time To Talk was choreographed by Karl-Harry Winson to a track by the same name by the Jonas Brothers. It's a 32 count, 2 wall line dance. The video listed above was taken from Karl's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - No Time To Talk

Take Me To The Beach

Take Me To The Beach was choreographed by Debbie Rushton, Gregory Danvoie, Mike Liadouze & Guillaume Richard, to a track of the same name by Imagine Dragons feat. Baker Boy, in December 2024. It's a 32 count, 2 wall line dance. The video listed above was taken from Gregory's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Take Me To The Beach

Advanced Dances

Feel Good Friday

Feel Good Friday was choreographed by Simon Ward to Healing Hands by Elton John, in May 2025. It's an 88 count, 1wall phrased line dance. The video listed above was taken from Simon's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Feel Good Friday

Feel The Spark

Feel the Spark was choreographed by Shane McKeever, to Lighter by Kyle Alessandro, in June 2025. It's a 80 count, 2 wall phrased line dance. The video listed above was taken from AmandaJW's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Feel The Spark

Hush Hush

Hush Hush was choreographed by Gary O'Reilly, Maggie Gallagher, Shane McKeever & Fred Whitehouse, to a track of the same name by Meira Omar in June 2025. It's a 96 count, 1 wall phrased line dance. The video listed above was taken from Jessie Chan's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Hush Hush

I come in pieces

I come in pieces was choreographed by Fred Whitehouse & Debbie Rushton, to a track of the same name by Alison Porter in August 2025. It's a 78 count, 2 wall line dance. The video listed above was taken from Amanda JW's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - I Come In Pieces

If It Ain't You

If It Ain't You was choreographed by Debbie Monahan-Mabbs & Lorraine Monahan-Mabbs, to If It Ain't Got You by Dalton Dover, in December 2024. It's a 96 count, 2 wall line dance. The video listed above was taken from Pauline Chan'sYouTube channel.

Stepsheet - If It Ain't You

Loved You Better

Loved You Better was choreographed by Guillaume Richard & Rhoda Lai, to a track of the same name by The Jonas Brothers & Dean Lewis, in October 2025. It's a 32 count, 2 wall line dance. The video listed above was taken from Amanda JW's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Loved You Better

Mercy On My Grave

Mercy On My Grave was choreographed by Tim Johnson, to a track of the same name by Aventhis in August 2025. It's a 60 count, 1 wall line dance. The video listed above was taken from Amanda JW's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Mercy On My Grave

Our Kingdom

Our Kingdom was choreographed by Darren Bailey, to a track of the same name by Valley of Wolves in May 2025. It's an 88 count, 1 wall line dance. The video listed above was taken from Amanda JW's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Our Kingdom

Tequila To Forget

Tequila to Forget was choreographed by Rachael McEnaney-White, to a track of the same name by Iommi, Perfect Pitch & Teddy Bee, in May 2025. It's a 64 count, 2 wall line dance. The video listed above was taken from Rachael's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Tequila to Forget

Unmade Memories

Unmade Memories was choreographed by Niels Poulsen to Memories We'll Never Made by Michael Minelli, in August 2025. It's a 32 count, 2 wall line dance. The video listed above was taken from Niels' YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Unmade Memories

Walk This Walk

Walk This Walk was choreographed by Niels Poulsen, to She Got It by Teddy Swims ft. Coco Jones & GloRilla, in June 2025. It's a 72 count, 2 wall line dance. The video listed above was taken from Niels' YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Walk This Walk

What Makes a King

What Makes a King was choreographed by Jeffke Camps, Gregory Danvoie & Jose Miguel Belloque Vane, to a track of the same name by Marcel Kapteijn in October 2024. It's a 48 count, 1 wall line dance. The video listed above was taken from Gregory's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - What Makes a King

That's it for the Improver, Intermediate and Advanced Dance Nominations - don't forget to head over to the CBA website to cast your votes!

This blog has been far too quiet for many years, and since my return to line dancing this year and with the full immersion of myself back into the line dance community, I've decided that now is the time to start creating content for this blog again. So if it's been a while - welcome back, and if you are new here - welcome to the blog.

One of my earliest posts was a breakdown of all the Crystal Boot Award nominations, which turned out to be a pretty popular post - so it seems apt that following the recent announcement of this year's nominees, my first blog post should be a showcase of this year's dance nominations.

There are quite a few dance categories - too many to share in one post in fact, so in today's post, I will be sharing the CBA nominations for each of the main difficulties of line dance - along with videos (by the choreographer where possible) so you can watch performances of the dances to remind you and to help you decide which dances you would like to vote for. You'll also find a link to the stepsheet for each dance on Line Dancer Web - should you wish to check out the steps!

Already know which dance you want to vote for? If so follow this link to Vote Now

Crystal Boot Award Dance Nominations - Absolute Beginner and Beginner Levels

Absolute Beginner

Azizam

Azizam was choreographed by Andrew Hayes to a track of the same name by Ed Sheeran in April 2025. It's a 32 count, 4 wall line dance with no restarts / tags. The video listed above was taken from Andrew's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Azizam

Hoedown

Hoedown was choreographed by Gary O'Reilly from Ireland to a track of the same name by Ink in June 2025. It's a 32 count 4 wall dance. The video listed above was taken from Gary's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Hoedown

I Sold My Soul

I Sold My Soul was choreographed by Glynn Rodgers to Suit and Tie by Cooper Alan, in January 2025. It's a 32 count 4 wall dance. The video listed above was taken from Glynn's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - I Sold My Soul

Life Lesson

Life Lesson was choreographed by Hayley Wheatley & Sophie Stephens to Life by ConKi, in April 2025. It's a 32 count 4 wall dance. The video listed above was taken from Sophie's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Life Lesson

Loved by You

Loved by You was choreographed by Lee Hamilton & Heather Barton to a track of the same name by Cleez, in March 2025. It's a 32 count 4 wall dance. The video listed above was taken from Sophie's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Loved by You

Love Me To Heaven EZ

Love Me to Heaven EZ was choreographed by Alexis Strong to a track of the same name by The Jonas Brothers, in March 2025. It's a 32 count 4 wall dance. The video listed above was taken from Alexis' YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Love Me to Heaven

Shirts and Skirts

Shirts and Skirts was choreographed by Jamie Barnfield to Man! I Feel Like a Woman (Real Hypha Remix) by Shania Twain, in October 2025. It's a 32 count 4 wall dance. The video listed above was taken from Jamie's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Shirts and Skirts

Tango

Tango was choreographed by Maggie Gallagher to a track of the same name by Damiano David, in August 2025. It's a 16 count 4 wall dance. The video listed above was taken from Maggie's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Tango

The Man With the Hat

The Man With The Hat was choreographed by Gary O'Reilly to Me Auld Skilara Hat by Ciaran Rosney, in February 2025. It's a 32 count 4 wall dance. The video listed above was taken from Gary's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Tango

Wings To Fly

Wings to Fly was choreographed by Rhoda Lai & Hayley Wheatley to The Power of Love x I'm Alive by Laback & Laura Furmanova, in June 2025. It's a 32 count 4 wall dance. The video listed above was taken from Rhoda's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Wings to Fly

Beginner

Bigger Houses (WDM25)

Bigger Houses (WDM25) was choreographed by Helen Parkyn to a track of the same name by Dan & Shay, in August 2025. It's a 16 count 2 wall dance. The video listed above was taken from Helen's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Bigger Houses

Cut Loose Get Loud

Cut Loose Get Loud was choreographed by Jamie Barnfield to Country is coming to town by The Wolfe Brothers & Lee Kernaghan, in March 2025. It's a 32 count 4 wall dance. The video listed above was taken from Jamie's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Cut Loose Get Loud

Fallin' in Love

Fallin' in Love was choreographed by Gary O'Reilly & Maggie Gallagher to a track of the same name by Post Malone, in January 2025. It's a 32 count 4 wall dance. The video listed above was taken from Gary's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Fallin' in Love

Fast Cars and Superstars

Fast Cars and Superstars was choreographed by Jamie Barnfield & Michelle Risley to a track of the same name by Christian Marchi, in August 2025. It's a 32 count 4 wall dance. The video listed above was taken from Jamie's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Fast Cars and Superstars

For The Reggae

For the Reggae was choreographed by Alexis Strong & Sophie Stevens to Lip Up Fatty by Bad Manners, in March 2025. It's a 48 count 2 wall dance. The video listed above was taken from Sophie's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - For The Reggae

Heart in Two

Heart in Two was choreographed by Michelle Risley, Gary Lafferty & Karl-Harry Winson to Don't break this heart by Jack Jersey, in July 2025. It's a 32 count 4 wall dance. The video listed above was taken from Michelle's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Heart in Two

House of Bamboo

House of Bamboo was choreographed by Emma Weissensteiner to a track of the same name by Andy Williams, in April 2025. It's a 32 count 4 wall dance. The video demo above is by Maggie Stevenson (no YouTube channel available for Emma).

Stepsheet - House of Bamboo

Moonbeam Icecream

Moonbeam Icecream was choreographed by Rhoda Lai & Suzi Beau to Mystical Magical by Benson Boone, in September 2025. It's a 32 count 4 wall dance. The video listed above was taken from Rhoda's YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Moonbeam Icecream

Sweet Jamaica

Sweet Jamaica was choreographed by Alexis Strong to a track of the same name by the Dualers, in January 2025. It's a 32 count 4 wall dance. The video listed above was taken from Alexis' YouTube channel.

Stepsheet - Sweet Jamaica

To Your Heart

To Your Heart was choreographed by Peter Fox to Take Me To Your Heaven by Charlotte Nilsson, in July 2025. It's a 32 count 4 wall dance. The video demo above is by Misuk La (no YouTube channel available for Peter).

Stepsheet - To Your Heart

Well that's it for Part One - The Absolute Beginner and Beginner Level Line Dance Nominations for the 2025 CBA's.

I'll be uploading the Improver, Intermediate and Advanced dances next so watch this space!

I was driving home from Sainsbury's yesterday when Charlie Puth's song "One call away" (or Save the Day as I think of it) came onto the radio and it reminded me that I had not yet done the write up for Karl-Harry Winson Workshop I attended a few weeks ago. Karl-Harry also won Male Dance Personality last weekend at the 20th CBA's and had nominations in many other categories as well - so congratulations to him on his recent success - I'm sure he will be up for more nominations at next years awards as well.

It was a great afternoon and my second time in a year meeting Karl having previously seen him in late July last year at a workshop hosted by Boogie Shoes in Cheltenham. I particularly enjoyed having the opportunity to dance "Jealousy" in his presence, an old favourite dance of mine which has seen a revival recently - although despite my request for "Unpredictable" one of my all time favourite dances and my favourite of his, it was unfortunately not played :-( never mind. We also got to dance some of Karl's other well know dances, "Knock on wood", "A thousand miles", "Alcazar", "Your place or mine" and "Alvaro" - there were probably others too but I can't remember what they were now.

Pop that Lock

The first teach was "Pop that Lock", a 64 count, 4 wall, Intermediate line dance to the track of the same name by Adam Lambert. It's a funky track, very catchy to sing along to, with a great beat and 15 count introduction which is very unusual and takes some getting used to. As for the dance I particularly enjoyed the 'Camel Walk' steps, the knee pops and the 'Chill factor' knee turn brush steps all of which fitted really well with the music. The dance does have one restart but you can hear it in the music so its fairly straightforward and as it's on wall 2 you can get it out of the way early and don't have to worry about when it's coming up like in some dances.

If you'd like to view the dance or script please click below to view.

To view the script on Copperknob (not yet available on Linedancerweb) please click here.

Stitches

The second teach of the day was "Stitches" a 64 count, 4 wall, Intermediate line dance to a track of the same name by Shawn Mendes. This is a great upbeat track and at the time of being taught this it was actually number 1 in the UK pop charts, its also very catchy and I was humming this days later. As for the dance itself I particularly liked the heel twists at the beginning and the turning toe struts both of which are not that common in line dance choreography at the moment. The dance does have 3 restarts but they are all easy to hear and we had no trouble with them.

The script is currently not on Copperknob or Linedancerweb but Karl had some scripts we could collect so I've scanned this one in on my computer and if you click here you can view it.

Hey Elvis!

Our third teach of the day was "Hey Elvis", a 32 count, 4 wall, Improver dance to the track of the same name by Bryan Adams. This is a proper rock and roll track with a great beat and the dance is very straightforward and easy to follow - it goes great to the music and it is easy to get distracted as you can't help but sing along to the song. There are a few tags in this one but its a case of them looking worse than they actually are and they fit in so well and are easy to hear so there really is no need to worry about them.

Now unfortunately, when I went to record this dance on my iPad I accidentally had it set on photo mode: result 1 photo and 3ish minutes of aching arms for nothing. By the time I realised my mistake the dance was over and as this was the second time we danced this there was no option to re-record so I don't have video. Sorry :-( Here's one of my pics instead)

The script is on Copperknob though so you can view it here. I have looked on YouTube and I can't see that anyone has done a video yet but as soon as they do I will upload to this page. I'd also ask that if anyone has a video they could send me a link, or if they are dancing it could video and send it to me - (get in touch via the comments below)

Karl-Harry Winson recapping Hey Elvis

Save the Day

Of course I can't finish without mentioning "Save the Day", this dance has been talked about a lot, it was very popular at last weeks Crystal Boot Awards, is currently 7th on Linedancer Magazine's top 50 and is also 7th on Copperknob's most viewed chart. I honestly believe that this will end up in the number 1 spot based on all the buzz I've heard and potentially think this could be up for a nomination at next years CBA's (You heard that here first lol).

By the time of Karl's workshop late January some clubs in the area (mine included) had already taught this but as quite a few of those present at the workshop did not know this. Karl did do a quick teach which helped me as I'd missed the teach in class and had tried to learn via youtube and the script so hadn't really danced this properly. I really like the video already on youtube so didn't video this again and I'll link the video below.

Since returning to class this has continued to be very popular and the girls and I have been adding in the 'Superhero' moves so ably demonstrated by Karl in the video below. The song is also very catchy and I couldn't help but sing along to it when it was played on the radio. It's a real mood booster.

To view the script for "Save the Day" click here.

Dances to watch

So as much as I really enjoyed all of the dances we danced at the workshop I think the one's that are likely to be the big hits are "Save the Day" (no surprises there) and "Pop that lock". Watch this space!

Winning Dances

Absolute Beginner - Lipstick Powder & Paint by Stephen & Claire Rutter

Beginner - Ticket to the Blues by Niels Poulsen

Improver - The Bomp by Kim Ray

Intermediate & Dance of the Year - Uptown Funk by Rob Fowler

Advanced - Shades of Passion by Rob Fowler

Dance of the Decade - Beautiful in my Eyes by Simon Ward

Congratulations to all of the winners - I'm sure we'll be dancing the above dances for many years to come. I look forward to what line dancing has to bring over the next 12 months and look forward to seeing the 21st CBA awards (no I don't have tickets).

My next post will be a review of the Karl-Harry Winson event I attended in Abingdon.

Firstly, I just want to say a huge congratulations to all the nominees for the Crystal Boot Awards (some of whom are featured below), every single nominee strongly deserved their nominations and has contributed to make Line Dancing in the UK (and beyond) as wonderful as it is, so thank you so very much to you, the team at Linedancer Magazine and also to the instructors out there without whom many of us would not be line dancing.

Before I go any further I would just like to confirm that due to various commitments over the weekend and technical issues with access (thanks Betty Drummond for finally getting me access!) I was unable to watch much of the weekend over the live broadcast so much of my information comes second hand from my Mum and Facebook so thank you to all those who have posted pictures and videos online from the weekend.

So without further ado the winners are (with photo's courtesy of CBA website):