'Country Bear Musical Jamboree' Returning With Favorite Disney Songs Feat. Mac McAnally and Emily Ann Roberts

Walt Disney World Resort has revealed that the reimagined Country Bear Musical Jamboree will make its highly anticipated return on July 17, 2024.

As a beloved staple of Frontierland in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort, the Country Bears have been charming audiences with their delightful country-western tunes for over 50 years. This summer, the bears are back with an exciting new twist—Nashville-style Disney tunes inspired by various genres of country music including Americana, bluegrass, pop-country, rockabilly and more!

·       “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 Animation Studios’ “Frozen” 
·       “Remember Me” from Pixar Animation Studios’ “Coco” 
·       “You’ve Got A Friend In Me” from Pixar Animation Studios’ “Toy Story” 
·       “Bare Necessities” from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “The Jungle Book” 
·       “Come Again” – an original song that debuted with Country Bear Jamboree in 1971 

Fans can look forward to a stellar lineup of song performances inspired by some of country music’s brightest stars. Mac McAnally, acclaimed country music singer-songwriter and 10-time CMA Musician of the Year has lent his talent to the show by bringing the all-too-perfect tune, “The Bare Necessities” from “The Jungle Book,” to life along with Terrence, aka Shaker's, version of the "Frozen" song "Fixer-Upper." Additionally, McAnally produced and rearranged the songs.

Joining him is Emily Ann Roberts, an up-and-coming country singer. She will showcase her East Tennessee twang as Trixie on a rendition of “Try Everything” from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Zootopia.” Roberts released her debut, critically acclaimed album Can’t Hide Country last Fall. The CMT Next Woman of Country has since been out on the road with Blake Shelton and will be joining Jamey Johnson for select dates kicking off in July.

“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 Mac McAnally, 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."

“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.” 

In addition to these amazing contributions, singer-songwriter Allison Russell, and renowned musician Chris Thile, have collaborated to create a heartwarming rendition of “A Whole New World” from “Aladdin” voicing Teddi Barra and Wendell, respectively.

Guests can enjoy an unforgettable musical journey as the Country Bears bring their nostalgic charm and new Nashville-inspired tunes to the Grizzly Hall stage. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to experience the magic and melodies of the Country Bear Musical Jamboree, starting July 17 at Walt Disney World Resort.

For more information on Country Bear Musical Jamboree visit the Disney Parks Blog and watch a behind the scenes recording session in the latest episode of We Call It Imagineering!

About Mac McAnally:

Mac McAnally's journey is one of divine providence and musical mastery. With an astonishing ten Country Music Association Musician of the Year awards and a place in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, McAnally's contributions to the world of music are unparalleled. Born into a family of gospel musicians in a dry county, McAnally's early years were steeped in the rich traditions of Southern music. His humble beginnings paved the way for a career marked by extraordinary talent and unwavering dedication. As a songwriter, McAnally has penned chart-topping hits for artists like Kenny Chesney and Jimmy Buffett, while his musical abilities have graced albums by legends such as Dolly Parton and George Strait. Despite his numerous accolades and collaborations with music royalty, McAnally remains grounded in his love for the art itself. For McAnally, music is not just a career but a calling—a testament to the joy of creation and the power of storytelling. With each note he plays and every lyric he writes, McAnally continues to inspire and uplift audiences around the world, leaving an indelible mark on the fabric of American music.

About Emily Ann Roberts:

They say the way to the biggest stage is practice, practice, practice. And that’s exactly what Emily Ann Roberts has done, paying her dues from tiny stages in Knoxville to the biggest stage of all, the Grand Ole Opry. Since launching her career, Roberts has now played the coveted Opry stage 19 times. Before that, she made a name for herself on Blake Shelton’s team on The Voice before she’d even graduated from high school. In a way, being named as a runner-up was the biggest win of all. Because now, with all of that performing, songwriting and recording experience, Roberts has already racked up more than 35 million streams and was recently named one of Rolling Stone magazine’s Best Acts of CMA Fest. Growing up in East Tennessee, Roberts was raised on Smoky Mountain music, bluegrass players, and country artists from every era: from Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton to Miranda Lambert and Cody Johnson. And all of that has prepared her to bring the country back to country music and that’s exactly what she’s doing on her debut full-length record, Can’t Hide Country, released on September 22. Recorded at Starstruck Studios in Nashville, Tennessee, and produced by GRAMMY-winning producer, Trent Willmon, Emily Ann's honest and captivating lyrics, along with her exceptional vocal talents, have already received widespread acclaim from both the media and her dedicated fanbase. It's abundantly clear that country music is in capable hands with Roberts at the helm.

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