Bill Dance (television host)
Bill Dance | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 7, 1940 |
| Nationality |  American |
| Known for | professional fisherman, television host, author |
| Spouse | Dianne[1] |
| Children | Bill, Jr; Paul; Patrick; Pamela[1] |
| Website | http://www.billdanceoutdoors.com |
Bill Dance is an angler and host of Bill Dance Outdoors, a fishing television series on the Outdoor Channel, and Bill Dance Saltwater on the Sportsman Channel.
Biography
Raised in Lynchburg, Tennessee, Dance planned to become a doctor, like his father William Dance and grandfather before him, but changed his mind after happening upon a grisly motorcycle accident in the early 1960s. He then turned his focus to competing in bass tournaments. A fishing lure manufacturer that sponsored him suggested he should start a TV show to promote the product. The program originally began on an ABC affiliate in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1968.[3]
Dance's signature look includes sunglasses and a Tennessee Volunteers baseball cap. He received his first cap from their coach, Doug Dickey, in the late 1960s. He lives in Eads, Tennessee, with his wife, Dianne.[3]
He is also well known on YouTube for his blooper outtakes from his television show and his large following on Facebook.
With fellow fishermen Roland Martin and Jimmy Houston, he formed the company Th3 Legends to sell signature products.[4]
Achievements
- Member, International Game Fish Association's Hall of Fame
- 1970, 1974, 1977: B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year[5]
- 23 National Bass Fishing titles and 7 B.A.S.S. titles.[5]
- Caught first bass in B.A.S.S. history[5]
- 1978: Congressional National Water Safety Award
- 1986: National Freshwater Hall of Fame[1]
References
- ^ a b c "Bill Dance Outdoors - Bill Dance Fishing Illustrated:". Bill Dance. 2008-06-23. Archived from the original on 4 July 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-28.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Bill Dance learns steps of old salt". Retrieved 2009-02-22.
- ^ a b Woody, Larry (2008-06-15). "America's Favorite Fishin' Buddy - American Profile:". Publishing Group of America. Archived from the original on 16 June 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Stevens, Mike (2014-07-16). "Bill Dance, Jimmy Houston and Roland Martin Team Up on Custom Tackle". KayakFishMag.com. TEN: The Enthusiast Network. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
- ^ a b c "Bass tournament history and records for Bill Dance". billdanceoutdoors.com. Retrieved 2009-12-09.