The Country Bear Jamboree - Revision history

Waltdatedworld: Updated website links.

2026-07-25T03:30:49Z

Updated website links.

Mmouse: /* Fun Facts and Trivia */

2022-12-10T20:46:13Z

‎Fun Facts and Trivia

Mmouse: /* Cast */

2022-12-10T20:44:03Z

‎Cast

Mmouse: /* Song Lyrics */

2022-12-10T20:41:44Z

‎Song Lyrics

Mmouse: /* Fractured Folk Song */

2022-12-10T20:41:23Z

‎Fractured Folk Song

Mmouse: /* Come Again */

2022-12-10T20:40:26Z

‎Come Again

Mmouse: /* Song Lyrics */

2022-12-10T20:39:45Z

‎Song Lyrics

Mmouse: /* Blood On The Saddle */

2022-12-10T20:39:31Z

‎Blood On The Saddle

Mmouse: /* Heart We Did All That We Could */

2022-12-10T20:39:13Z

‎Heart We Did All That We Could

Mmouse: /* All the Guys Who Turn Me On Turn Me Down */

2022-12-10T20:38:49Z

‎All the Guys Who Turn Me On Turn Me Down

@@ Line 23: / Line 23: @@
 After Walt Disney’s death on December 15, 1966, plans for the bear show carried on. During its development, Disney decided that the bears would perform in the Bear Band Restaurant Show <ref name="Spence1"/>. Furthermore, Disney decided that the bears would sing with a “country twang”, and Imagineer X Atencio and musical director George Bruns were brought in to write songs for the attraction <ref> http://passport2dreams.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-music-of-country-bear-jamboree-part.html </ref>. Although the development of the show continued to go well, Disney’s Mineral Kingdom Resort seemed to be in jeopardy. When it became clear that the resort would not be built in the foreseeable future, Disney decided to move the attraction to the soon to be opened Walt Disney World <ref name= "Spence1"/>. The show opened as the Country Bear Jamboree with the rest of Walt Disney World on October 1, 1971 <ref> http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/10/walt-disney-imagineers-talk-the-country-bear-jamboree-reimagining-at-magic-kingdom-park/ </ref>.
-When the Country Bear Jamboree opened in the Magic Kingdom, it proved to be so popular that a copy of the attraction was built for Disneyland <Ref name= "Spence1"/>. Disney World’s Country Bear Jamboree remained unchanged until 1984 when the attraction was given a new show during the holiday season called the “Country Bear Christmas Special”. The show would return annually around Christmastime until 2005 <ref> http://waltdatedworld.com/id250.htm </ref>. In 1986, due to the Country Bear’s popularity, Disney decided to create a new show for the attraction, The Country Bear Vacation Hoedown. The Country Bear Vacation Hoedown featured the bears in their vacation outfits, singing new songs such as “Ghost Riders in the Sky” and “On the Road Again” <ref> http://waltdatedworld.com/id60.htm </ref>. Due to attendance struggles however, the new show only lasted for six years <ref name= "Spence1". In 1992 as part of the Magic Kingdom's 20th anniversary celebrations, the Country Bear Jamboree was reverted back to its original form <Ref> http://www.wdwradio.com/2007/09/country-bear-jamboree/ </ref>.
+When the Country Bear Jamboree opened in the Magic Kingdom, it proved to be so popular that a copy of the attraction was built for Disneyland <Ref name= "Spence1"/>. Disney World’s Country Bear Jamboree remained unchanged until 1984 when the attraction was given a new show during the holiday season called the “Country Bear Christmas Special”. The show would return annually around Christmastime until 2005 <ref> http://waltdatedworld.com/country_bear_christmas.htm </ref>. In 1986, due to the Country Bear’s popularity, Disney decided to create a new show for the attraction, The Country Bear Vacation Hoedown. The Country Bear Vacation Hoedown featured the bears in their vacation outfits, singing new songs such as “Ghost Riders in the Sky” and “On the Road Again” <ref> http://waltdatedworld.com/country_bear_hoedown.htm </ref>. Due to attendance struggles however, the new show only lasted for six years <ref name= "Spence1". In 1992 as part of the Magic Kingdom's 20th anniversary celebrations, the Country Bear Jamboree was reverted back to its original form <Ref> http://www.wdwradio.com/2007/09/country-bear-jamboree/ </ref>.
 On August 21, 2012, the Country Bear Jamboree was closed for a two moth refurbishment. When the attraction reopened on October 17, the show was noticeably shorter and the bears had all received new “fur” and costumes.  The songs "Pretty Little Devilish Mary" and "Fractured Folk Song" were removed during the refurbishment, and much of the attractions dialogue was cut <ref> http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/20/arts/country-bear-jamboree-at-walt-disney-world.html?_r=0 </ref>. In total the current version of the Country Bear Jamboree is about 1/3 shorter than the original <ref> http://land.allears.net/blogs/debwills/2012/10/the_country_bear_jamboree_is_b.html</ref>.
@@ Line 470: / Line 470: @@
 Main Article: [[The Country Bear Christmas Special]]
-From 1984 until 2005, the Country Bear Jamboree was given a special show for the Christmas season called the “Country Bear Christmas Special”. The show featured the bears singing such holiday classics as: “Deck the Halls,” “Let It Snow,” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”, as well as new original songs like “Hungry as a Bear”. The show also featured a previously unknown bear named Rufus who worked the lighting and projection for the show. In 2005 it was announced that the Christmas Special would not return <ref> http://waltdatedworld.com/id250.htm</ref>. The Christmas show marked the first time that an Audio Animatronic show became interchangeable during the year<ref name= "Spence1"/>.
+From 1984 until 2005, the Country Bear Jamboree was given a special show for the Christmas season called the “Country Bear Christmas Special”. The show featured the bears singing such holiday classics as: “Deck the Halls,” “Let It Snow,” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”, as well as new original songs like “Hungry as a Bear”. The show also featured a previously unknown bear named Rufus who worked the lighting and projection for the show. In 2005 it was announced that the Christmas Special would not return <ref> http://waltdatedworld.com/country_bear_christmas.htm</ref>. The Christmas show marked the first time that an Audio Animatronic show became interchangeable during the year<ref name= "Spence1"/>.
 ==The Country Bear Vacation Hoedown==
 Main Article: [[The Country Bear Vacation Hoedown]]
-In 1986 due to the overwhelming popularity of the Country Bears, a new show was created for the attraction called the “Country Bear Vacation Hoedown”. The new show featured the Bears wearing their "vacation clothes" and singing new songs. Included in the show were popular songs: “Singing in the Rain”, “On the Road Again”, “Ghost Riders in the Sky”, “Thank God I'm A Country Boy” and the popular opening number “The Great Outdoors”<ref> http://waltdatedworld.com/id60.htm </ref>. This version of the Country Bears was the only show not to feature Buff, Melvin and Buck at the start of the show. The Vacation Hoedown proved unpopular with guests and in 1992 the show was reverted to its original form<ref name= "Spence1"/>.
+In 1986 due to the overwhelming popularity of the Country Bears, a new show was created for the attraction called the “Country Bear Vacation Hoedown”. The new show featured the Bears wearing their "vacation clothes" and singing new songs. Included in the show were popular songs: “Singing in the Rain”, “On the Road Again”, “Ghost Riders in the Sky”, “Thank God I'm A Country Boy” and the popular opening number “The Great Outdoors”<ref> http://waltdatedworld.com/country_bear_hoedown.htm</ref>. This version of the Country Bears was the only show not to feature Buff, Melvin and Buck at the start of the show. The Vacation Hoedown proved unpopular with guests and in 1992 the show was reverted to its original form<ref name= "Spence1"/>.
 ==Fun Facts and Trivia==

@@ Line 479: / Line 479: @@
 ==Fun Facts and Trivia==
 * According to a plaque located about the Country Bear Jamboree’s main stage, the Jamboree was founded by Ursus H. Bear who lived from 1848 until 1928. In the attraction's backstory, "after a restful hibernation, (Ursus)rounded up his musically inclined kinfolk and friends to put on a down-home celebration" <ref name= "Korkis"/>.
-[[Image:Ursus.jpg|thumb|400px|Ursus H. Bear founder of the Country Bear Jamboree]]
+[[Image:Ursus.jpg|thumb|400px|Ursus H. Bear founder of the Country Bear Jamboree|alt= Ursus H. Bear]]
 * Grizzly Hall (the home of the Country Bear Jamboree) was built in 1898 <ref> http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QEBR616wZSk/THse0p5iHGI/AAAAAAAACNc/W3QVc-iescE/s1600/IMG_9293.JPG </ref>.

@@ Line 412: / Line 412: @@
 ==Cast==
-[[Image:Concept1.jpg|thumb|400px|Concept art for Terrance, Henry, Liver Lips, and Tennessee]]
+[[Image:Concept1.jpg|thumb|400px|Concept art for Terrance, Henry, Liver Lips, and Tennessee|alt= Country Bear Jamboree Marc Davis Concept Art]]
 '''Henry'''- The host of the show, Henry is a large, friendly brown bear. He wears a grey top hat, starched shirt, and a string tie. Vocied by Pete Renaday, Henry plays the guitar and sings. He is featured on the songs: "The Bear Band Serenade", "The Ballad of Davy Crockett", "Come Again (Come on In)" and prior to the 2012 refurbishment of the attraction, "Fractured Folk Song". Henry is also the most mobile of the bears, appearing on the left-center, right-center and far right stages.
@@ Line 426: / Line 426: @@
 '''Trixie'''- Trixie is a very large brown bear who wears a blue bow on her head and a blue tutu around her waist. She appears on the far right stage, and holds a blue handkerchief and wine glass in her hands. Trixie is one of the few bears that does not appear in the finale of the show, however she does sing "Tears Will Be The Chaser For My Wine". Trixie is voiced by Cheryl Poole <ref name= "Spence2"/> .
-[[Image:Concept2.jpg|thumb|400px|Concept art for Zeb, Big Al, Gomer, and Wendell]]
+[[Image:Concept2.jpg|thumb|400px|Concept art for Zeb, Big Al, Gomer, and Wendell| Marc Davis Country Bear Jamboree Concept Art]]
 '''Big Al'''- Big Al is the fattest bear in the Country Bear Jamboree. He is grey with a light grey belly and wears a burgundy vest and hat. Big Al plays an out-of-tune guitar and is located on the far right stage. He sings "Blood on the Saddle" and his insistence on singing the song a second time leads to the grand finale of the show. The bear is voiced by Tex Ritter <ref name= "dave"/>. Prior to the 2012 refurbishment, Big Al wore a red vest with a tan hat.

@@ Line 387: / Line 387: @@
 But I fell in love with a pretty little gal,<br>
 And sure enough we married.<br>
-<br>[[Image:fivebears.jpg|thumb|400px|A Marc Davis drawing of the Five Bear Rugs.]]
+<br>[[Image:fivebears.jpg|thumb|400px|A Marc Davis drawing of the Five Bear Rugs.|alt= Country Bear Jamboree Concept art Marc Davis]]
 (Atta-boy, Zeke!)<br>
 <br>

@@ Line 361: / Line 361: @@
 From 1971-2012 the following songs were included in the Country Bear Jamboree:
 ===Fractured Folk Song===
-[[Image:Wendell2.jpg|300px|thumb|From 1971 until 2012 Wendell performed Fractured Folk Song with Henry.]]
+[[Image:Wendell2.jpg|300px|thumb|From 1971 until 2012 Wendell performed Fractured Folk Song with Henry.|alt= Wendell Fractured Folk Song Country Bear Jamboree]]
 This number began after the Bear Band Serenade when the curtain closed on the Five Bear Rugs and Gomer. Wendell (a golden brown bear) would then emerge on the center stage. Wendell wore a blue bandanna around his neck and had a light brown hat. He was also easily recognizable because of his large overbite and buck teeth.

@@ Line 329: / Line 329: @@
 ===Come Again===
 After the finale Henry tells guests to be sure to come again. As a cast member ushers guests out, Henry, Sammy, Buck, Melvin, and Buff sing one last song “Come Again”.
-[[Image:SammyHenry.jpg|thumb|400px|Henry and Sammy performing]]
+[[Image:SammyHenry.jpg|thumb|400px|Henry and Sammy performing|alt= Henry and Sammy Country Bear Jamboree]]
 ====Song Lyrics====
 '''Henry, Sammy, Buck, Buff and Melvin:'''

@@ Line 298: / Line 298: @@
 ====Song Lyrics====
 '''(AUTHORS NOTE: Some of the lyrics in this song were removed during the 2012 refurbishment of the attraction. The lyrics that are no longer in the show will appear with a line through them.)'''
-[[Image:bears.jpg|400px|thumb|The finale of the Country Bear Jamboree.]]
+[[Image:bears.jpg|400px|thumb|The finale of the Country Bear Jamboree.|alt= Country Bear Jamboree finale]]
 <strike> Well, he's big around the middle,<br>
 And he's broad across the rump.<br>

@@ Line 266: / Line 266: @@
 ===Blood On The Saddle===
 Following Teddi’s song (and without any introduction) a large spotlight shines of the far left stage, slowly getting bigger. When the curtain lifts guests get their first view of Big Al. Big Al is the fattest of all the bears and he plays an out of tune guitar. He is grey with a light grey belly and wears a burgundy hat and vest. Big Al preforms his signature song “Blood On The Saddle”.
-[[Image:bigal.jpg|400px|thumb|Big Al singing "Blood On The Saddle".]]
+[[Image:bigal.jpg|400px|thumb|Big Al singing "Blood On The Saddle".|alt= Big Al Country Bear Jamboree Blood on the Saddle]]
 ====Song Lyrics====
 '''Big Al:'''

@@ Line 230: / Line 230: @@
 ===Heart We Did All That We Could===
-[[Image:Teddi.jpg|400px|thumb| Teddi Barra singing "Heart We Did All That We Could". Photo by Lauren Javier]]
+[[Image:Teddi.jpg|400px|thumb| Teddi Barra singing "Heart We Did All That We Could". Photo by Lauren Javier| Teddi Berra Country Bear Jamboree]]
 Following the Sun Bonnet Trio’s song, Henry appears on the left-center stage. He then introduces the "last of the big time swingers…Teddi Barra!”. Teddi descends from a hole in the ceiling, sitting on a swing decorated with roses. She is a brown bear and wears a pink hat with a feather, as well as a long pink bow around her neck. While she begins her song (“Heart We Did All That We Could”) both Buck and Henry comment on how pretty she is.

@@ Line 211: / Line 211: @@
 After Shaker sings his song, Henry reappears on the right-center stage. He introduces the next act, three identical girls from Tampa Bay, Florida: Bunny, Bubbles and Beulah. Together the three sisters are known as the Sun Bonnet Trio. All three girls have brown fur and wear blue dresses and bonnets. On stage the girls are joined by Gomer.  Bunny stands in the middle with Bubbles on her left and Beulah on her right. Behind the girls a slide show illustrates the lyrics as they sing their song, “All the Guys Who Turn Me On Turn Me Down”.
-[[Image:Bunnybubbles.jpg|400px|thumb|The Sun Bonnet Trio. From left to right: Beulah, Bunny and Bubbles.]]
+[[Image:Bunnybubbles.jpg|400px|thumb|The Sun Bonnet Trio. From left to right: Beulah, Bunny and Bubbles.|alt= Sun Bonnets Beulah Bunny and Bubbles Country Bear Jamboree]]
 ====Song Lyrics====