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Top Downloads
(as of 2026-09-16)
| All Time | Last 12 Months | Last 30 Days |
NOTE: RIV 1062 - Silent Night does not appear in its proper location in this listing because it had to be split up into several smaller downloads. It is currently by far the top download for the year 2019!
Now Available
Lois Elling's book, Teaching Clogging is now in its second edition. Buy a downloadable PDF copy here for $25Breaking News!
September Releases
Posted on Monday September 14, 2026
We dropped 15 new titles on Friday the 11th. Three of them are patters, two are songs made famous by the great Al Jolson, and four of them are Christmas tunes that are out in plenty of time for you to practice them for December!
- RIV 1564 - Carolina Caper Jug Band (Patter)
- RIV 1563 - Devil's Dream (Patter)
- RIV 1562 - Windmill (Patter)
- RIV 1561 - I'd Wait A Million Years (Vocal by Stephen Noseck)
- RIV 1560 - I Put A Spell On You (Vocal by Jason Raleigh, and Renee Ruud courtesy of Fine Tune Gold Wing Music)
- RIV 1559 - Mammy (Vocal by Jason Raleigh)
- RIV 1558 - Fisherman's Luck (Vocal by Jason Raleigh)
- RIV 1557 - Columbus Stockade Blues (Vocal by Jason Raleigh)
- RIV 1556 - Green Green (Vocal by Jason Raleigh)
- RIV 1555 - How Great Thou Art (Vocal by Jason Raleigh, Rebecca Shull)
- RIV 1544 - Good King Wenceslas (Vocal by Lawrence Johnstone)
- RIV 1543 - He Is Born (Vocal by Jason Raleigh, Rebecca Shull)
- RIV 1542 - Jolly Old St. Nick (Vocal by Jason Raleigh, Rebecca Shull)
- RIV 1541 - Waiting For The Robert E. Lee (Vocal by Mike Seastrom courtesy of Rhythm Records)
- RIV 1540 - Christmas Time's A Comin' (Vocal by Jason Raleigh)
Christmas Time's A Comin' was originally performed by Bill Monroe in 1951, then reintroduced by Sammy Kershaw in the '90s. Jolly Old St. Nick dates back to a 1865 poem by Emily Huntington Miller, set to music in 1874, and recorded by many varied artists. He Is Born (The Holy Child) is a traditional French Christmas carol repopularized by the VeggieTales TV series. Good King Wenceslas is an 1853 Christmas carol about the journey of a tenth-century king of Bohemia and his faithful page. How Great Thou Art isn't a Christmas song, but it's a well-known song of faith.
Waiting For The Robert E. Lee is a song written in 1912 which has been recorded by many famous artists, but is probably best associated with Al Jolson...and now, Mike Seastrom! My Mammy became one of Jolson's signature songs, but it was actually first performed in 1918 by William Frawley -- yes, the guy who played Fred Mertz in I Love Lucy and Grandpa Bub in My Three Sons!
Our own Jason Raleigh has contributed vocals for our versions of several long-standing singing calls, Green Green, Columbus Stockade Blues, and Fisherman's Luck. Jason also recorded a separate track on Columbus Stockade Blues with his yodel as a background harmony vocal, so that if you'd like to use it for a yodeling song but aren't up to doing the yodeling yourself, we have you covered!
We also have a song by Jason which might make a good choice for a Halloween dance. I Put A Spell On You was a 1956 song by "Screaming" Jay Hawkins that was intended as a love song, but the producer "brought in ribs and chicken and everybody got drunk..." and the lyrics kind of lend themselves to late October. Fine Tune/Gold Wing Music's Renee Ruud also contributed a vocal to this song, and newcomer Rebecca Shull contributed vocals to several of Jason's other releases this month.
Finally, Stephen Noseck returns with I'd Wait A Million Years, a 1969 single by The Grass Roots that was one of the group's biggest hits.
August Releases
Posted on Monday August 03, 2026
We have nine new releases for you in August, including four patters:
- RIV 1539 - Don't Stop Doing What You're Doing To Me (Vocal by Scott Coon)
- RIV 1538 - Zoo (Vocal by Max Masao Ringe)
- RIV 1537 - Baby Face (Vocals by Jason Raleigh, and Renee Ruud courtesy of Fine Tune / Gold Wing Music)
- RIV 1536 - Super Trouper (Vocal by Larry Marchese)
- RIV 1535 - My Life's A Dance (Vocal by Steve Edlund)
- RIV 1534 - Til The Cows Come Home (Patter)
- RIV 1533 - Home Cookin (Patter)
- RIV 1532 - Groovy Rhythm (Patter)
- RIV 1531 - Roadrunner Romp (Patter)
My Life's A Dance might sound like it's a re-release of the classic Red Boot version, but it's actually a brand new production of the 1986 Anne Murray song, with a fellow Canadian (Steve) providing our vocal. Super Trouper is Larry's take on the 1980 ABBA song, while Baby Face provides both male and female (thanks, Renee!) versions of the 1926 Tin Pan Alley song that has been recorded by artists as diverse as Al Jolson, Little Richard, Paul McCartney and The Muppet Chickens. Zoo was the Shakira production number from last year's Disney movie Zootopia 2, and Don't Stop Doing What You're Doing To Me is a 1995 song by Wade Hayes that Scott makes his own.
If you're going to be at the USAwest Square Dance Convention in Cedar City, UT this week, look up some of our staff callers who'll be there. They'll be easy to spot -- their names both begin with L!
July Releases
Posted on Thursday July 02, 2026
We have eight new releases for you this month, including five patters:
- RIV 1529 - Aunt May's Reel (Patter)
- RIV 1528 - Mary's Boy Child (Vocal by Tim Tyl)
- RIV 1527 - Down At The Lah De Dah (Vocal by Mike Seastrom, courtesy of Rhythm Records)
- RIV 1526 - Going On An Adventure (Vocal by Tim Tyl)
- RIV 1525 - Gold (Patter)
- RIV 1524 - Guest (Patter)
- RIV 1523 - Golden Eagle March (Patter)
- RIV 1522 - Ida Red (Patter)
Down At The Lah De Dah was originally done by Jimmy Buffet, and Mike brings his distinctive upbeat style over the top of the steel drums in this arrangement. Going On An Adventure, according to Tim, is the "theme song from the mystery series The Good Ship Murder, as sung by actor Shayne Ward as character Jack Grayling." And Mary's Boy Child (also known as "Christmas Day") was made famous by Harry Belafonte in his distinctive calypso style; Tim gives his own interpretation in HIS style.
In addition, Renee Ruud of Fine Tune / Gold Wing music has contributed female versions of two of our previous releases: RIV 431 - Pink Cadillac and last month's RIV 1521 - English Country Garden. As always, if you've already purchased either of those titles and would like the new tracks for it, contact Bob Elling directly.
Have a great 4th of July, and be sure to celebrate our nation's 250th anniversary with some of the patriotic selections from our website's Themes page! Select "Holidays" as your theme, and "4th of July" as the holiday.
June Releases
Posted on Tuesday June 09, 2026
Take a look at ten new releases for June, including five patters:
- RIV 1521 - English Country Garden (Vocal by Brent Mawdsley)
- RIV 1520 - Love At First Sight (Vocal by Gene Turner, courtesy Shindig Productions)
- RIV 1519 - California Here I Come (Vocal by Eric Arthurton)
- RIV 1518 - Angels We Have Heard On High (Vocal by Jason Raleigh)
- RIV 1517 - Mack The Knife (Vocal by Mike Seastrom, courtesy Rhythm Records)
- RIV 1516 - Chinese Breakdown (Patter)
- RIV 1515 - Louisiana (Patter)
- RIV 1514 - Brush Train (Patter)
- RIV 1513 - Wind Over Kilkee (Patter)
- RIV 1512 - Billy Bob (Patter)
Yes, we ARE starting in on our Christmas songs, six months early so there'll be plenty of time to practice them. Jason has a rocking version of Angels We Have Heard On High, and we have a few others in the pipeline over the next few months as well.
Mike Seastrom of Rhythm Records contributes a vocal for our new version of the Bobby Darin hit Mack The Knife, and Eric Arthurton updates the Al Jolson tune California Here I Come. Check out Brent Mawdsley's take on the 1962 Jimmie Rodgers song English Country Garden, which itself is an update to an old English folk tune. And Shindig's Gene Turner gives us a taste of Love At First Sight.
If you're going to the National Convention in Waco, keep your eyes open for some of our Riverboat staff, and be sure to say hello!
May Releases
Posted on Monday May 18, 2026
We have ten new releases for May, including seven new patters:
- RIV 1511 - Right All Right (Vocal by Nelda Eaton)
- RIV 1510 - Thunderbird Ridge (Patter)
- RIV 1509 - Teriyaki (Patter)
- RIV 1508 - Sally Goodin (Patter)
- RIV 1507 - Red Wing (Patter)
- RIV 1506 - Foggy Foggy Dew (Vocal by Daryl Clendenin, founder of Chinook Records)
- RIV 1505 - Bells Of St. Mary's (Vocal by Jason Raleigh)
- RIV 1504 - Marshmallow Rag (Patter)
- RIV 1503 - Nachez Nellie (Patter)
- RIV 1502 - Eric's Simple Patter
Of the singing calls, RIV 1505 - Bells Of St. Mary's is a song heard in the motion picture of the same name (starring Bing Crosby in his second appearance as Father Chuck O'Malley) but with different lyrics from those heard in the movie. The song dates back to 1917, well before the 1945 film; Jason's version uses the original lyrics.
RIV 1506 - Foggy Foggy Dew is an English folk song which was made popular in the '40s by Burl Ives. Wikipedia claims that Ives was jailed in Utah for singing what was deemed a bawdy song. Daryl's a brave man; he tries it anyway!
RIV 1511 - Right All Right is a song originally by the Dublin City Ramblers, also recorded by Celtic Thunder. There are instrumentals in both male and female keys; listen to Nelda's take on it.
This Memorial Day weekend, please take a moment to reflect on our service people over the years who have given their lives in the service of our country. It's their day, come Monday.
About Riverboat Records
Riverboat Records was purchased in the 1980s by Bob Elling in the San Francisco Bay Area. His love of both square dancing and good music has driven his dedication to create the finest square dance music available. The early years produced several square dance records using top-notch musicians, including Phil Aaberg and Norton Buffalo.
Due to the priorities of raising a family, there was no new music produced for almost 20 years. Around 2005 Bob began to teach and call square dancing to local 3rd and 4th graders once a week. He loves teaching the kids and has a desire to use music that they could relate to.
A good friend and caller, Ken Bower, encouraged Bob to start recording square dance music again, and so he did. Ken then recorded the vocal for the first "new" recording on Riverboat, Misty.
Bob enjoys producing many types of songs and especially ones appropriate for grade schoolers. Some of his more popular songs for all ages include: Mickey Mouse, Oh Johnny Oh, Y.M.C.A., Heigh Ho, Funky Town, Best Years of Our Lives, Big Pig Jig, American Land, and On With the Show. Most of these recordings include alternate choreography that can be taught in just a few minutes to kids or adults. The kids have responded with amazing enthusiasm.
In addition, there has been a great deal of support from some of the best talent in the country to bring variety and more life to the music. These fun square dance tunes are fun for both kids and adults. Bob's dream is to have this music used in the classroom by school teachers all over the world.
Riverboat Records also has modern patter music with a great dance beat. The variety of music ranges from bluegrass to funky, so there's something for everyone.
In 2010, Riverboat introduced its Gold subscription series. For just $100, a package of 20 new hoedowns and singing calls is made available exclusively to subscribers. At the end of the year those titles enter the regular Riverboat catalog and a new package is made available to Gold subscribers.
Bob would like to acknowledge the help and support that he has received from Elmer Sheffield (ESP Records), Jack O'Leary (Silver Sounds), Michael Salacuse (Circle Left Recording), Bobby Kennedy, Carl Kaye, Tracy Brown, Rich Reel, and Lawrence Johnstone. He also wants to thank his wife, Lois, for her support in this endeavour that he loves so much.
Contact Us
Riverboat Recordsc/o Bob Elling
16000 Marcella St.
San Leandro, CA 94578
510-278-8621
bob.elling@gmail.com
This page address is: www.riverboat.com/records/index.html
Last modified/updated on: Thursday 2017-10-26 09:15 MST
(other pages on this website will have different dates)
(music listings are generated dynamically and do not affect the page dates)
This website is owned and copyright © 2012-2026 by Bob Elling, owner of Riverboat Records.
Webmaster: Lawrence Johnstone