SHOW DESCRIPTION

A TV show about a Texas dance hall reminded Mary Rooks how much she loved line dancing in Austin, so she started JXN Yee Haw, a Jackson line dance party that mixes 90s country, two-stepping, and instruction for beginners. On this episode of Soul Sessions, she talks with host Paul Wolf about why line dancing is having a national moment, why the crowd and the playlist are so mixed, and where to learn the steps around Jackson every week. Mary also shares the story behind JXN Motherhood, her effort to connect families with events and resources across the city. And she offers her must-dos for a weekend in the City With Soul, from Mayes Lake at LeFleur's Bluff State Park to a walk up Capitol Street to the Old Capitol.

TRANSCRIPT

Note: Soul Sessions is produced as a podcast first and designed to be listened to. If you are able, we strongly encourage you to listen to the audio, which includes the emotion and inflection meant to be conveyed by human voice. Our transcripts are created using AI and human transcribers, but may contain errors. Please check the corresponding audio before quoting.

INTRO

Paul

When a Jackson mom sat down to watch Ransom Canyon, a TV drama about a woman who runs a Texas dance hall, she didn't expect it to send her straight back to her Austin, Texas days. When the only question anyone asked was, where are you line dancing this week? She got the itch, and then she did something about it. Hey, it's Paul Wolf with a front row seat to Conversations on Culture from Jackson, Mississippi. We call our podcast Soul Sessions. It's the people, places, and events that make the City With Soul shine. On today's show, we're talking with Mary Rooks, the woman behind JXN Yee Haw, a line dance party where 90s country, two-stepping, and a few songs you'd never expect to hear in cowboy boots all share the same floor. She's also the force behind JXN Motherhood, connecting families to everything happening around the city. And whether it's a room full of strangers learning the same steps or parents hunting for Saturday plans, Mary's work keeps circling back to one idea. We all want to be a part of something bigger than ourselves.

Welcome, Mary Rooks, to Soul Sessions. Thanks for being here today.

Mary

I'm so happy to be here, Paul.

Paul

I saw you, I guess it was last week at an event, and my wheel started spinning. And I thought, we've never talked about this thing that you're doing right now on the podcast. And I mean, there's such a craze going on for it. So why not talk about line dancing and the JXN Yee Haw? Tell me what the JXN Yee Haw is all about.

Mary

So the JXN Yee Haw is a little spark of my— I just got an itch. I watched Ransom Canyon, which is like a Netflix series, and the girl, she owns dance hall, and it brought me immediately back to when I lived in Austin, Texas and line dancing. It's this part of my life, you know, you just like forget about these parts of your lives. It's super cool there. And in Austin, you can do anything and no one sets any kind of expectation on you. I feel like here, you know, people are like, country line dancing or whatever. But it's like you see that it's happening in Austin and you're like, this must be a cool, trendy thing, you know? There are dance halls everywhere, whether it's for two-stepping or line dancing, but it's also like at the clubs too. The clubs or bars you go to. People are out there line dancing. It's so like normal there. Like, where are you going line dancing this week? It's everybody. Like, that's just kind of the thing. I watched that show and it immediately took me back and I was like, why, my goodness. I used to love to line dance. And then it just happened to be on trend. I don't know if it was like subconscious or what, but it's so hot right now, like everywhere else. You go to a big city and there's some like big either a bar or like a dedicated dance hall. And people are just like raving about line dancing. It's just— you see it, it's one of those things where you don't see it and then you get into it and all of a sudden you see it everywhere. And so the JXN Yee Haw started as like me just wanting to get back to that, me remembering how much joy that brought. The first one we did, it was kind of a split of nineties country throwback, and then we had your more classic line dance favorites with the DJ set up. And so it was kind of alternating back and forth. A space for the two-stepping, more classic country stuff. And then a space for like those big line dance songs. And they had instruction. So it's a place for you to go and learn a bit more about line dancing if you don't know about it. And a place for those to like just yee-haw, like get it out of their system, that know about line dancing and all that.

Paul

For people who've never been to one of these events, just kind of walk us through what that night actually feels like when you walk in the door.

Mary

For a lot of people, I think it was probably a mystery. As they're walking up, they're like, was I supposed to wear cowboy boots or whatever? Because you hear yee-haw and it's like, absolutely. So a lot of that I think is like walking through that door and all the things you built up in your head kind of dissolving. It's people line dancing and people struggling through it and then other people adding to it because they've done line dance for so long. So it's almost this experience like that breaks down all the things you built up in your head about line dancing, which, because here it's not quite as popular yet. And so I almost think the JXN Yee Haw experience is like, this is what line dancing is, kind of deal.

Why Is Line Dancing So Popular Right Now?

Paul

Social media maybe having some play on this right now, but line dancing is really having a big moment. What do you think it is? And what does this Jackson version bring?

Mary

Line dancing has been around forever, but it's kind of a resurgence. You know, things like ebb and flow, they come back. And we're very much in this era of like bringing back the old things because that's — COVID rocked all of our worlds, but we were so isolated for so long. I think people are so hungry for like real human interaction and good, wholesome fun. And this is it. We all want to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. And I think now more than ever, the pendulum is swinging. So I think that like, yeah, it's such a big thing right now because it's a way for people to walk in somewhere and automatically relate. Whether they're relating on we're learning something new together or like a yeah, I don't know you, but you know the song. I know the song. This is about being a part of something bigger than yourself, which we're all so hungry for right now. And line dancing is such a great way to do that, to connect with others, to just have some good fun, learn with your friends or go somewhere by yourself. It's a perfect opportunity to like, if you don't have a posse to go with, you know, and you've been wanting that. I really have loved watching people connect on the dance floor.

Paul

I noticed at the event the other night, people helping each other, trying to learn dances and just trying to have a good time.

Mary

Yeah. Yeah. It's really beautiful to see.

Paul

What made you start this in the first place? What was the gap in events that you saw here in Jackson?

Mary

If you know me, you know I love to throw an event and I also love to just create a space that like wasn't there. Like so I saw— I got an itch for line dancing and I saw that there are a few places around here that have started to do smaller events, like a weeknight kind of deal, which are so fun and I'm so glad they have those. But I wanted to kind of throw a party, a line dance party essentially, and give that space to people because there are so many people that are interested. As I speak though, I feel like something is popping up each new night of the week. So there are a lot of places around Jackson now if you wanted to do it. There are a lot more opportunities now.

Who Goes Line Dancing in Jackson? A Diverse Crowd and a Diverse Playlist

Paul

I mentioned line dancing in a room that I was in this week and everyone in the room was shaking their head. Black, white, young, old. A crowd at a line dance event is very much a mixed crowd. Was that something intentional or did it just happen that way for you?

Mary

It is always my intention to try to create a space that's welcoming for everyone, but also everyone is interested in line dancing and familiar with it, although it might be a different type of line dancing. So there's the West Coast, which is a kind of like a middle ground mix in between like Pitbull. Like, I don't think you expect to hear Pitbull when they're going to a line dance function. At least those that are unfamiliar with it. But that's like super big. Or like the song Flex by Cupid. And then there is the country, you know, like there'll be like an Alan Jackson song that has the line dance to it. There's also the trail riding. So there's different sort of genres of it, but everyone, you kinda know the different songs and can mix it together. And so yeah, anyone can line dance, young, old, like you said. Like my kids, they catch on incredibly quickly, way more than I thought. Like I'll show them something and be like, they're not gonna get this, and like almost immediately. Like better than I could get it. They get it. In Starkville, we were at like a tailgate and walk past, you know, and there's a group of people just like having a ball line dancing, and then we were at a Jackson State basketball game, and then Boots on the Ground comes on and everybody just joins in. It's certainly for everyone. Think about a cruise ship and there's Cupid Shuffle and like, you know, all the line dancers go out. So yes, there's all different types too.

Paul

When your song comes on, you hit the dance floor, right?

Mary

Absolutely. Yeah. And then just when you think you're going to take a break, you go to sit down and then your next favorite song comes on. So you're like, I gotta go again. Can't miss that one. There's something to it. I think there's like this innate part in us that, yeah, wants to be part of something bigger. And then also we all just love to dance. And some of us are too afraid to, but I feel like with instruction, it gives you this level of confidence that you can dance too.

Live Band or DJ? 90s Country, Two-Stepping, and Slow Dances at JXN Yee Haw

Paul

Sometimes there's a DJ, but sometimes there's a live band. Tell me how you decide what event gets what.

Mary

Yes, that is a very tough part. I was actually talking to somebody yesterday about that because if you have a band, I mean, really the best of them could, you know, maybe mix genres or whatever. But when you think yee-haw, you do kinda think nineties country and everybody loves a nineties country song. There's just something to just belting a nineties country song, you know.

Paul

Boot Scootin' Boogie.

Mary

That's right. I mean, you can't resist that. Like everybody low-key kind of loves that. And it does bode well for two-stepping as well. So a lot of people that line dance, they enjoy two-stepping or some kind of partner dancing. And it's nice too, because like the Yee Haw, it was just also an opportunity to give people a night out, something to do. People in Jackson are always looking for just something different to do. And so, you know, if somebody's trying to date night, they might want to partner dance. So just working that in as well. And the live music. So typically what we've done is the kind of honky-tonk vibe, nineties country. So we have had that live music and then we just make sure to do like sets so that people that aren't as into that, you know, okay, we'll get your DJ back in just a minute. So kind of alternating that and then it gives the line dancers time to break, sit down, whatever. And now one thing too, I love to see is we've had some older couples in the crowd. They seem to wander up, you know, when those slower songs are on and like, that's one thing I miss. Once you kind of get out of your wedding era where you're going to weddings, you don't have a ton of opportunities to just like get together with people and go dancing, especially that partner dancing. So that was kind of— I wanted to work that in as well. And so there's a couple slow songs mixed in there.

Paul

How often do we look for a JXN Yee Haw event on the calendars here?

Mary

I end up splitting myself up into many pieces and sometimes I get a little into one thing and kind of forget about the other. But we have so far been able to do it like every six months. And we would love to see that continue on.

Where to Line Dance in Jackson, Mississippi Every Week

Paul

So if there's not a JXN Yee Haw event on the calendar and people want to line dance in Jackson, where do you send them, Mary?

Mary

My top one, and they don't do it every Thursday, so make sure you check in or stay in the loop with Briarwood Arts Center , but they have one most Thursdays with Miss Evelyn, and it's great and it's free. So the Southern Soul Steppers, they do one every now and then at Organic Nutrition. And it's great. And they're super cool and know all the best dances. They amaze me. And the last one would be Elite Dance Fitness with Anisha. It's on Highway 18 in Jackson and it's on Monday nights. And so make sure if you want to follow the three of those, Briarwood Arts Center, Organic Fitness and Nutrition, and Elite Dance Fitness, those would be great to stay in the loop. Learn those dances and then you can show them all off at the JXN Yee Haw.

Paul

And you also are JXN Yee Haw for hire. Is that correct?

Mary

Yes, I have had people that have asked if we could do it for their events. So if you need someone to channel the Yee Haw experience, I am happy to help with that.

What Is JXN Motherhood? Connecting Jackson Families to Things to Do

Paul

You're also behind a group that you started called JXN Motherhood. And that pulls you into some community building. What made you start that and who were you trying to reach?

Mary

JXN Motherhood, I mean, clearly it's for the mothers largely, but at the same time, it's for the whole community. In motherhood, you often feel a little bit isolated. It's this weird season of your life where especially when you have young children, you kind of get stuck like either at the house or you're like, how do I operate in society with a child? You know, the general public is sometimes a little bit like, ooh, I don't know if you can bring your kids in here. At least I feel like down here. You go to New York and it's like kids are in bars and that's like not even a thing. Nobody cares, 'cause you just have to live your life and you have kids and that's no problem. But I feel like down here there's sort of the separation, but it is coming together, especially in Jackson. I feel like Jackson is doing a beautiful job, places like The Bean, you know, The Terrace, Fertile Ground does a great job. And so just something to kind of bridge that gap. These are all the events, the family-friendly events.

And I use Visit Jackson. I mean, that is what we plan our life around. I send out a newsletter and I'm never sending that out without going to your calendar. Like you guys do a beautiful job of family-friendly events, or date nights, you know, nights out for parents. I get all that stuff from you guys. Basically bridging that gap between families and the resources that they need and the events going on and kind of putting that all together. 'Cause it can be kind of hard, especially when you're like lost in the sauce of motherhood.

'Cause raising kids is cool. Raising kids in Jackson, Mississippi honestly is a privilege. Like it's such a beautiful place. And I'm so grateful. When I came back from Austin, of course I missed so many things there. But I was also like, this is an incredible opportunity to raise my children in Jackson, where it's diverse. It's beautiful. I feel like Jackson is so underrated. It's beauty, like LeFleur's Bluff State Park. We're there all the time. That's like essentially our backyard. Like I told you, I don't even hear cicadas anymore. But it is so beautiful. And it's a true privilege to raise my children here. And JXN Motherhood has helped me just stay in check of like, Jackson's got it going on. 'Cause I have to get it to the parents and the caregivers of like, this is what's out there.

Also keeping parents connected with non-parents. I have a lot of, especially ladies, that will say like, hey, I'm not a mom, but would you mind if I came to this event you're doing? I'm like, absolutely, because moms and parents cannot make it without the people around them and without the businesses that serve them. We all have beautiful things that we can offer. And so many friends that have businesses, we all need each other, essentially. So just reminding everybody, connecting parents to the things to do and that kind of thing.

Is There Really Nothing to Do in Jackson? Mary Rooks Says Look Again

Paul

What would you say to the people who might say there's nothing to do here in Jackson? Because I do surprisingly still hear that, even though there are many nights and certainly most weekends where you kind of have to pick and choose or divide your time.

Mary

Yes. I genuinely, again, back to why I started JXN Motherhood. It is because when I came back from Austin, people would say, but I thought y'all moved back. Where are you? And I'm like, I'm at Mayes Lake. And so I was like, wow, people are not connected with the resources or just cannot find out about events. And so it's there. And it's just, we're ever trying to connect the people to the resources and events that they need to know about.

Mary Rooks' Weekend Picks: LeFleur's Bluff State Park, Fondren, and Downtown Jackson

Paul

What would you say to somebody who is visiting Jackson for the weekend? What should be on their list? As someone who has a big family that's doing things out and about all the time, what are some of your favorites here in the City With Soul?

Mary

Nature-wise, I've mentioned it a couple of times, but LeFleur's Bluff State Park, and people get confused when they ask where we are, and I say LeFleur's Bluff, they go to the playground and they're like, I'm not seeing it. The actual state park that you go to, Mayes Lake, you pay a couple dollars. We have the yearly membership because we literally go every day. But you just go through that gate, pay a couple bucks, and you go in and that money's going to state parks. You have like the swamp area, you have a beautiful lake view. There's a little playground, nature trails, there's disc golf. So that is probably honestly my number one. Love the LeFleur's Bluff State Park playground. The Bean is a must for me. Especially, yeah, if you have kids, it's just a great space to like go. You get to experience Fondren. Your kids can chill in the back living room. Highball Lanes is super fun if you want to go bowl. And to me, you have to walk downtown. You have to go on Capitol Street. That strip, to me, Mayflower-ish kind of area, all the way up to the Old Capitol. But I mean, I could take that walk every day of my life and never get tired of it. Smith Park. I enjoy Smith Park. Kids can run around, and you just have to see the Capitol. You have to see downtown Jackson, to me.

Where to Follow JXN Yee Haw and JXN Motherhood

Paul

And where can we find JXN Yee Haw and JXN Motherhood on social media?

Mary

For the Jackson Yee Haw, it's the JXN Yee Haw. And then for Jackson Motherhood, it's JXN Motherhood. And so those are great ways to keep up, stay up to date on things that are going around, our own events. I try to keep you up to date, give you a running start when we're gonna have our next event. And then I also like to keep everyone in the loop about those places that you can find around here to line dance weekly.

Paul

That is the tireless Mary Rooks, whose story is about the difference between a city with nothing to do and a city where maybe you just haven't plugged in yet. When friends asked where she disappeared to after moving home from Austin, the answer was Mays Lake, right inside LeFleur's Bluff State Park, the spot her family treats like their own backyard. She'll tell you she could walk Capitol Street up and down from the Mayflower to the Old Capitol every day of her life and never get tired of it, and that raising kids in Jackson is a privilege. Put JXN Yee Haw and JXN Motherhood side by side, and you see the same instinct. Get people out of the house and into new places where they can find each other. If you want to learn the steps before the next JXN Yee Haw, Mary points to everything from Miss Evelyn's nights at Briarwood Arts Center most Thursdays, the Southern Soul Steppers at Organic Fitness and Nutrition, Monday nights with Anisha at Elite Dance Fitness on Highway 18. And if you want a JXN Yee Haw experience at your own event, well, Mary's available for hire. We'll have links to her work in our show notes at visitjackson.com/soulsessions.

Soul Sessions comes to you from Visit Jackson, the destination organization for Jackson, Mississippi, the City With Soul. Our executive producers are Jonathan Pettus and Dr. Rickey Thigpen, and I'm Paul Wolf, managing editor and your host for these conversations. Your next Jackson adventure starts at visitjackson.com.

And if you see something in Jackson that's catching your eye and you think it deserves a closer look, well, tell me about it. My email address is pwolf@visitjackson.com.

Thanks for listening. I'll talk to you again soon.

Listen to previous episodes of Soul Sessions