Sonny Watson started dancing Hustle, Country-Western and various Swing styles in and around Los Angeles, California around 1979/1980. By 1982 he had won many contests and began teaching West Coast Swing plus other dances in and around the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, California. Sonny went on and founded the Valley Swing Dance Club with friend and mentor … the legendary Kenny Wetzel in February of 1985 which is still very active today. In November of ’85 he entered his first ‘U.S. Open Swing Dance Showcase Division. Sonny continued to compete in Showcase Divisions across the country receiving top honors and awards as well as the Local and National Champion division Strictlies, Jack and Jill’s and Invitationals. Later, Sonny and his then partner Deanna Mollmann took ‘First Place’ in the original … “U.S. Open Pro Streetswing division” in 1997 at the Disneyland Hotel, Ca. proudly becoming a 1st generation ”US Open Swing Dance Champions” Sonny received numerous awards, two he is most proud of ”The U.S. Open Teacher/Promoter award” inducted in 1995 and 2006 in the ”California Swing Dance Hall of Fame” and in 2007, inducted into the ”World Swing Dance Hall of Fame”. He was also inducted into the 2007, All~Swing DJ Hall Of Fame and last but not least the 2012 U.S. Open: Walk of Legends. Sonny has been given the grand title of Council Historian of the Department for the World Swing Dance Councils ‘Dance History Department’ (This guy knows his swing history). Sonny Watson was instrumental in helping the first ”United States Swing Dance Council” (U.S.S.D.C.) pass a bill to make West Coast Swing the ”Official State Dance of California”. Sonny has taught at many famous swing night clubs/ venues over the years in Southern California from San Diego to Santa Barbara on a weekly basis.. Visit Sonny’s website to view more about his history and the vast history he maintains on the legends of swing dance.