First Look Video: Country Bear Musical Jamboree at Magic Kingdom

Jul 10, 2024 in "Country Bear Musical Jamboree"

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Country Bear Musical Jamboree characters

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Posted: Wednesday July 10, 2024 9:24am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Cast Member and Media previews for the new Country Bear Musical Jamboree got underway this morning at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom ahead of the official July 17 opening.

Country Bear Musical Jamboree at Magic Kingdom

Here is a look at the full 11-minute show.

Country Bear Musical Jamboree Song List

Country Bear Musical Jamboree features a brand-new lineup of songs, performed in a style that pays homage to the Opry-style shows of Nashville. The new show features twangin' interpretations of Disney songs in various genres of country music, including Americana – or A-"Bear"-icana! – bluegrass, pop-country, rockabilly and more. Here is the full Country Bear Musical Jamboree track list:

"Country Bear Musical Jamboree" – a new original song written for the attraction
"Try Everything" from Walt Disney Animation Studios' "Zootopia"
"Kiss the Girl" from Walt Disney Animation Studios' "The Little Mermaid"
"A Whole New World" from Walt Disney Animation Studios' "Aladdin"
"Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" from Walt Disney Studios' "Mary Poppins"
"Fixer-Upper" from Walt Disney Studios' "Frozen"
"Remember Me" from Disney-Pixar's "Coco"
"You've Got A Friend In Me" from Disney-Pixar's "Toy Story"
"Bare Necessities" from Walt Disney Animation Studios "The Jungle Book"
"Come Again" – an original song that debuted with Country Bear Jamboree in 1974

Teddi Barra

The Who's Who of Country Bear Musical Jamboree

Henry

Grizzly Hall in Frontierland is home to the zany and captivating performance that showcases the American musical heritage pioneered by Ursus H. Bear. Over the years, Ursus' grandson, Henry, has taken over to develop a thrilling new countrified musical.

Bunny, Bubbles and Beulah

Longtime fans of Grizzly Hall know and love the kooky cast of bear characters. For those new to joining the jamboree, here is the lineup of growlin' performers making a triumphant return to the stage in this refreshed show:

Ursus H. Bear: Ursus is the founder of Grizzly Hall. He invited tuneful bruins from all around to present zany vaudeville acts and live country-western and folk performances!
Henry: Ursus's grandson Henry is now the master of bear-emonies. He helped develop the new show and co-wrote the opening song with the Five Bear Rugs.
Five Bear Rugs: The Five Bear Rugs include Zeke, Zeb, Ted, Fred, and a bear named Tennessee, who all have ol' country rhythm in their souls.
Trixie: One of the most veteran performers, Trixie, has tried everything! She found her niche performing with triplets Bunny, Bubbles, and Beulah.
Bunny, Bubbles and Beulah: Originally known as The Sun Bonnets, these girls traded in their bonnets for Stetsons when they began singing with Trixie worldwide, ending up here at Country Bear Musical Jamboree.
Teddi Barra: Grizzly Hall is proud to present The Jewel of the Dakotas, Teddi Barra. Her rise in show business was meteoric after being discovered in an ice cream parlor.
Wendell: Wendell was a frustrated basketball, baseball and football player until Henry invited him to try and carry a tune. He's been part of the Country Bears since and is thrilled to finally sing a love song with Trixie.
Ernest the Dude: Ernest the Dude is one of the best-dressed bears at Grizzly Hall – he brings his entire wardrobe wherever he goes!
Terrence, aka Shaker: Terrence, also known as Shaker, was once a famous theater star until he fell from the balcony in "Romeo and Juliet." Ever since, he turned in his tights for a guitar and lassoed himself the limelight back onstage.
Romeo McGrowl: This bear, otherwise known as the Miami Serenader, is ready to enter his next era singing rockabilly!
Gomer: Gomer is the resident piano player who has been claws-ically trained since he was a cub.
Big Al: Of course, there must be mention of the infamous Big Al. He's been playing the guitar since he was a cub because music is in this bear's blood.

Big Al

Behind the Music of Country Bear Musical Jamboree

Walt Disney Imagineering turned to popular and upcoming country music talent to provide the vocals for the new setlist. Featured artists include record-breaking 10-time CMA Musician of the Year Mac McAnally who sings "The Bare Necessities" from "The Jungle Book." Country singer Emily Ann Roberts lends her voice to Trixie with a rendition of "Try Everything" from "Zootopia." Singer-songwriter Allison Russel and musician Chris Thile, voice Teddi Barra and Wendell, respectively, performing "A Whole New World" from "Aladdin."

"I first saw the Country Bears as a teenage musician and it bolstered my pride in the acoustic musical heritage of the rural south," said McAnally, the voice of Terrence, aka Shaker, in Country Bear Musical Jamboree. "I next saw the show with my own kids and sat amongst multiple generations of families from all over and felt that common bond that lasts a lifetime. It is my great blessing to get to be a part of the continuation of the tradition and I have done my best to honor the spirit of the Bears and the great Disney songbook, as well as the heart and soul that runs through the veins of Country music. And just maybe it explains why I've been singing in a Bear voice for several decades before this opportunity came up."

Mac McAnally who sings 'The Bare Necessities' from 'The Jungle Book'

"This is an opportunity that I never even dreamed big enough to dream," said Emily Ann Roberts, voice of Trixie St. Claire in Country Bear Musical Jamboree. "It is such an honor to be a part of a show that has been so loved for so many years. I hope when folks hear Trixie's song about trying new things, failing and trying again, that they will be encouraged to do the same."

Emily Ann Roberts, voice of Trixie St. Claire

The Bears also have new costumes, drawing inspiration from classic country singer culture, including classic looks that might look at home at The Grand Ole Opry, a live country-music broadcasting studio in Nashville. Be sure to keep a look-out for all the easter eggs and Nashville notes scattered throughout the attraction.

Teddi Barra

The Country Bear Musical Jamboree officially opens to all guests on July 17, 2024 in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.

Country Bear Musical Jamboree characters

Discuss on the Forums

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Mr. Sullivan10 hours ago

I know Disney hasn't been the king of smart decisions as of late, but I really don't know that they would've gone through the time and effort of completely redoing this show, new music and all, if they didn't intend for it to stay there for some time. They're especially not going to want to take anything more than they have to offline at Frontierland while they're doing a multi-year project in the area. I honestly don't think there's any chance the Bears go away for several years, but even if there was, I wouldn't bet on it happening until both the Cars stuff and Villains stuff are all done which could very well be well into the next decade.

EagleScout6102 days ago

Take the songs they covered that people knew, they added a little touch of whimsy to make it more than "Oh cool, the bears sang ". My favorite example is On The Road Again with Wendell's vacation slides showing his vacation going worse and worse before he takes a picture of the crowd and gets told off ("There's no flash photography during the show, and that means everybody, WENDELL!"). They didn't do that for Musical, except for Try Everything, but the joke misses because Trixie was never the adventurous type before. Wendell was the loveable dork who would naturally have a bad vacation.

prberk2 days ago

What you are both describing is what made the difference in the past: attention to detail and understanding what made the genre work to be entertaining, especially in the “old west/traveling medicine show” aesthetic of the jamboree. I recommend everyone at least support the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue in Fort Wilderness while we still can find even that.

EagleScout6102 days ago

My other issue is that they tried to do the "Big Al comes back after his number" gag again, but after the others have already sang the final number. The original finale worked because everyone was trying to outsing Big Al and in repsonse got really rowdy and loud, perfect for a finale.

Surfin' Tuna2 days ago

This is a great point. Disney really seems to have lost sight of what people of all generations love. They want to be entertained. The novelty of the bears singing songs will eventually be lost, but many of us saw the old shows many times. It always seemed fresh and funny.

EagleScout6102 days ago

I've done some thinking, and I think my issue with Musical Jamboree is how little dialouge any of the characters have beside Henry, Sammy, and the heads. I think the only other dialouge is Shaker going "Huh?!" and Big Al sobbing. In the original the characters talked to each other during acts and made snide remarks at each other, or there was a gag after the curtains close (Ernest getting stung by bees in Vacation, or McGrowl's yodeling and proceeding to fall down). Thos little things gave so much whimsy to the original three shows. It all just feels very stilted and scripted in Musical and like they just rush through performers til the end.

Professortango13 days ago

I love the traveling show aesthetic. I work as a magician and have had the pleasure of performing on some really well designed stages in that motif. I just wish they had kept that visual storytelling and details in Country Bears.

prberk4 days ago

I agree about the curtain details and similar things. What they were mimicking in the original was old Western and traveling medicine shows like that described as “The Royal Nonesuch” in Huckleberry Finn, which fits Frontierland. I can say, though, that for now at least you can find that kind of detail and show experience, including the changing rolled mural backdrops, in the “Hoop De Doo Revue” in Fort Wilderness. Check that out. You will appreciate the trip back to 1869, albeit with A/C and bathrooms, lol.

gerarar5 days ago

Saw this a couple weeks ago on Sunday (9/1). Overall thoughts are that it's very enjoyable and fun. My party had 2 people that never seen the show (previous iteration) and they loved it. They, along with the other guests in the audience, were all laughing, clapping, and smiling throughout. We ended up seeing it twice in one day since we all liked it a lot, and it's a nice way to beat the heat (or rain in our case). Standout parts for me were A Whole New World and Remember Me. They brought out most of the laughter. The side comments in between songs were also on point imo. Also supercalifragilisticexpialidocious was another favorite of mine with the smoking fiddle gag. And now here's some pics I grabbed: 815327 815325 815326

TalkingHead5 days ago

It’s an attraction with a small footprint that generates no added revenue in a highly traversed walkway. The show’s appeal was always nostalgia and its early WDW vintage. Now that’s gone; popularity will decrease further. A few years from now they’ll be looking for any way to goose more spending from guests. Shut down the unpopular show that costs money for AA upkeep and add an experience or whatever WDI calls these things for an added cost. Who’s going to care at that point?

Jedi145 days ago

I could see at the next Destination D23 them announcing at least a new Christmas overlay.

Sneaky5 days ago

What even makes you think they will? Is it just pessimism for pessimism sakes?

Disgruntled Walt5 days ago

Or they'll have to expand the DVC club they're building next door.

TalkingHead5 days ago

The question you should be asking is will the show even exist in five years. Seems just as likely it’ll be closed for an upcharged meet and greet experience.