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

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Charlie The Chatbox Ghost23 days ago

Is this secretly the account of Marc Davis's Ghost? He famously hated both seasonal overlays because they "ruined" the bears, even though imo I think all three overlays do a great job at keeping the characters consistent- maybe except Liver Lips/Romeo, since the Elvis thing comes out of nowhere- though I always saw it as a "modernized" version of the Vaudeville-ian Crooner/Serenader archetype LL originally was. People really are missing the forest for the trees here. It could've been Under New Management 2.0 (or the Marvel Small World for a contemporary comparison), with the IP just stapled on. Concept art originally showed Henry wearing Mickey Mouse ears on his top hat, the three mounted heads had theme park hats (Max notably had an Olaf hat), Big Al was dressed as Hector Rivera complete with a Coco backdrop. But instead we got a show that has the same philosophy as the other two overlays- the bears are a troupe of performers who cover songs. The characters all feel like the same exact characters we've seen in three other shows in the last 50 years, they nailed their personalities and individual song themes/choices. Even the voices are pretty accurate to the past three shows (shame we didn't get a voice for Ernest though). The "Disney" part of this was treated less as a tangible thing that gets namedropped and just as a music genre. The fact the word "Disney" or any of the movie names aren't said at all shows the respect they put into this. You could've had Trixie cosplaying as Elsa but instead we got entirely original costumes, a refreshed stage, sound, and lighting package, modern day AAs that look and work even better than anything on TBA, and a show that knew what was on the line here and did it's best to meet expectations. Is it perfect? No. I personally would've chosen different songs in some places. Is it better than the original? Of course not. Is it awful? Definitely not. This show just saved the bears from becoming another defunct classic, and showed Disney sees them valuable enough to keep (probably after they got lots of fan mail from people asking them to not remove them), likely until the day the park is literally underwater. Just a few days ago a friend of mine, another CBJ megafan like myself, saw the show for the first time. He loved it, and he even said the theater was packed full- they even had to wait to get in. Everyone was clapping and stomping along, and kids seemed engaged and excited. This is the first time the show has had crowds like this arguably since the early 70s, not counting the final days of the (2012 version of the) original having huge lines. If they bring back seasonal overlays or even add new songs to the current show and add a randomization feature like Star Tours, that'll really keep the momentum going. Really, the biggest mistake Disney has made is not having merch for this show. Where are the teddy bears? Where are the pins? Where's all the random stuff with the same art plastered on it? All we got was a generic t-shirt that, as far as I'm aware, is gone now. Not having a Big Al plush is effectively the same as throwing away money.

Kevin_W30 days ago

There was audible excitement in our show when Big Al started playing.

Tony the TiggerFeb 08, 2025

I don’t know where that narrative comes from.

Nobody nobodyFeb 07, 2025

I’m glad that with everything slated for Frontierland, let alone Walt Disney World, that they decided “this his has significance to the park and resort’s history, we need to find a way to save it”. It really did deserve it, and to me it proves that imagineering does care about park history, individuality, and all the stuff we love, they’re just stuck with management who doesn’t.

Tony the TiggerFeb 07, 2025

Clearly, you’re entitled to your opinion and your interpretation of the room. I’ve seen it several times now, including twice last week, and I love it. It is much tighter than the most recent version. The most recent version hasn’t been the original in a long time, since it was chopped up. Most notably, my boys on the wall seemed to have a disjointed part in the old version. Now they are fully integrated once again and make more sense. I don’t know half the songs, and I don’t care. I didn’t know any of the songs in the last one before I saw the show. “Blood on the saddle“ was perfectly replaced. The songs were good choices in my opinion, and the ones I did know landed very well. I’ve yet to see a showing without audience clapping when “You’ve got a friend in me” comes on. The characters have a more modern country vibe with the sequins and all. OK, they are in frontierland, so I don’t know that technically fits, but it is relatable to modern audiences. If we’re being picky, bears can’t sing or play instruments, either. I see just as much engagement as the old one, no more no less, from my visits. Sometimes it depends on how crowded the theater is, sometimes it depends on one family getting into it and getting the clapping started, and everyone else joins in. This was an excellent move. This was an excellent business decision. Probably not too costly, completely revamped a beloved show while maintaining the integrity of individual characters and the show itself. Well done. Bravo.

TouchdownFeb 07, 2025

I Believe in Santa Claus, I Believe in Santa Claus! I believe there’s always hope when all seems lost! and I Believe in Santa Claus! The country bear thread of all places should follow the advise of Kenny and Dolly.

Nobody nobodyFeb 07, 2025

As a country bear fan, i think we should all be more greatful for this redo. It was never gonna be perfect but with how beautiful grizzly hall and the bears themselves look now, the fact the voices of the bears don’t have “wrong sounding muppets” syndrome, and despite ip, we got a competent, respectful, and at times funny show that wasn’t overbearing on the Disney part, this is probably one of if not THE best case scenario under todays Disney. It could have been SO MUCH WORSE.

Disgruntled WaltFeb 06, 2025

I believe in Santa Claus, like I believe in love. I believe in Santa Claus, and everything he does. There’s no question in my mind that he does exist. Just like love, I know he’s there, waiting to be missed.

Admiral01Feb 06, 2025

I have seen both - and see the vacation version when I am in Tokyo in the summer - but both were/are temporary. This new show at MK is permanent.

ᗩLᘿᑕ ֊ᗩζᗩᗰFeb 06, 2025

Eh, I don't know. "Milky Milky Coco Puffs" are some quality lyrics. This checks out.

ᗩLᘿᑕ ֊ᗩζᗩᗰFeb 06, 2025

He's beloved throughout the world. Believe what your heart tells you, son. You don't have to listen to those older kids.

Charlie The Chatbox GhostFeb 06, 2025

Wait, Santa's not real?

Jrb1979Feb 06, 2025

That makes sense as a lot of people who visit the parks now don't have any attachment to the older attractions. Add in hearing songs they know makes it a better experience.