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/* Show Plot */
{{Template:Infobox Disney ride |
| image=FivebearrugsFivebearrugsposter.jpg| caption='''The Five Bear Rugs performing in the Country Bear Jamboreeposter'''
| land=Frontierland
| park=Magic Kingdom
|custom_value_2= No
}}
The Country Bear Jamboree is an attraction located in [[Frontierland]].
==History==
[[Image:ImagineerHenry.jpg|thumb|350px400px|WED Engineers programming Henry.]]
Although the Country Bear Jamboree opened with the park on October 1, 1971, the plans for the attraction date back to Walt Disney himself. In 1966, Walt decided that he would need some sort of attraction for his planned Disney’s Mineral King Ski Resort. According to Imagineer Wathel Rogers:
{{Quotation|“After the Mineral King contract had been signed, Walt had an idea for entertainment after people had been skiing. Walt said, ‘What we are going to do is have a bear band and have them perform two or three programs of entertainment <ref name="Korkis">https://www.mouseplanet.com/9399/The_Lost_Biographies_of_the_Country_Bears </ref>.}}
To create this new show , Walt tasked Imagineer Marc Davis with creating a show revue based on Audio Animatronic bears. Davis and fellow Imagineer Al Bertino came up with many ideas including marching band bears, mariachi bears, tuba bears, and Dixieland bears <ref name= "Spence1"> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2010/10/country_bear_jamboree_part_one_1.html </ref> <Ref> http://passport2dreams.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-music-of-country-bear-jamboree-part.html </ref>. According to Imagineering legend, Walt Disney was said to have like Marc Davis' drawings of the bears so much that they actually made him laugh, thus the attraction would eventually be known as Walt’s last laugh after his passing <ref> Walt Disney Imagineering: A behind the Dreams Look at Making the Magic Real. New York: Disney Editions, 1996. Print. </ref>. The Country Bears would be one of the last attractions that Walt had a direct involvement with.
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 attraction 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.bravepages.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.bravepages.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>.
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>.
==Queue==
The Country Bear Jamboree takes place inside Grizzly Hall. While waiting in the buildings building's front room, guests can see caricatures of the bears including: Henry, Wendell, Trixie, and the Five Bear Rugs. Guests can also find a souvenir penny machine which will make Frontierland themed pennies for 51 cents.
==Show Plot==
[[Image:BuckMaxMElvin.jpg|thumb|400px|Mevin, Buck and Max in the Country Bear Jamboree.]]The Country Bear Jamboree is a "hoedown" style show that features almost constant singing. The show then takes place on five stages: a far right, a center right, a center, a center left and a far left. The dialogue between three mounted animal heads on the wall: Buff (a buffalo), Melvin (a moose) and Max (a deer) begins the show.
'''Buff:''' Hey Henry, what's holding ya up? Let's get on with the show! We can't hang around here all day.
===Pianjo===
In the first song the attraction , Henry welcomes guests to the Country Bear Jamboree. He then introduces Gomer (on the center stage) who plays piano while Henry sings. Henry wears a grey top hat, starched shirt front, and a string tie. Gomer wears a white collar and yellow tie and always has a honeycomb on his piano.[[Image:Henry2.jpg|thumb|300px|Henry, the master of ceremonies at the Country Bear Jamboree.]]
====Song Lyrics====
[[Image:Henry2.jpg|thumb|400px|Henry, the master of ceremonies at the Country Bear Jamboree.]]
'''(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.)'''
*Ted-A tall, brown, skinny bear who plays the corn jug and the washboard.
*Fred-The largest of the bears. Fred is a brown bear and wears blue jeans with suspenders and a striped red and white tie. Fred He plays the mouth harp.
* Tennessee-A brown bear who plays the One-String Thang, which sounds just like a guitar (but only has one string). Tennessee wears a red bandanna around his neck and a red hat.
*Baby Oscar- The smallest of the bears, Baby Oscar never plays an instrument nor does he speak. He is never without his teddy bear, which he squeezes to make a squeaking noise.
On the Bear Band Serenade , Henry sings and the Five Bear Rugs play their respective instruments (prior to the 2012 refurbishment Gomer would accompany the band on piano). When Henry introduces an individual bear, a spotlight showcases them.
====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.)'''
''' (Henry Introducing the Band):'''
[[Image:FibeBearRugs.jpg|thumb|400px|The Five Bear Rugs.]]And right now, I give you assorted a sordid assortment of executioners of music and song. The Five Bear Rugs! Hit it boys.
'''Henry (now singing)''':
The Bear Band bears will play now<br>In the good ol' key of G.<br>Zeke and Zeb and Ted and Fred<br>And a bear named Tennessee.<br><br>Zeke's a-twangin' on the banjo<br>And a-tappin' with his feet.<br>While bangin' on a dishpan<br>With a real ol' country beat.<br><br>Zeb's a-sawin' on the fiddle<br>With a crooked hickory bow.<br>When the spirit moves that bruin,<br>He can make that fiddle go.<br>
<strike> Yeah, clap your hands and<br>
Stomp your feet and<br>
Try to keep right with 'em.<br>
One sure thing the Bear Band's got<br>
Is real ol' country rhythm. </strike><br>
<br>
Ah ha!
===If You Can't Bite, Don't Growl===
Following the Bear Band Serenade, the far left curtain opens to reveal Ernest. Ernest is a brown bear who plays the fiddle. He wears a derby and a red polka-dot bowtie bow tie around his neck, and is recognizable by his high eye brows. Earnest performs “If You Can't Bite, Don't Growl”.[[Image:Ernest.jpg|thumb|350px|Ernest performing If You Can't Bite, Don't Growl]]
====Song Lyrics====
'''Ernest:'''
A go-go girl called my hand,<br>
I said, "I can't. I'm a married man."<br>
She said "If you ain't gonna steal,<br>
You better not prowl."<br>
(He's a born loser.) <br>
Don't do-si-do with a go-go.<br>
If you can't bite, don't growl.<br>
If you can't bite, don't growl.
'''Liver Lips:'''
[[Image:LiverLips.jpg|thumb|400px|Liver Lips McGrowl]]I got a woman, she's got me.<br>Whatever we do, we both agree.<br>She ain't pretty, but I ain't too.<br>The things we like are the things we do.<br><br>My woman ain't pretty, but she don't swear none.<br>She's kinda heavy, don't weigh a ton.<br>She's my woman, through and through.<br>I love her only 'cause my heart is true.<br>
===Mamma, Don't Whip Little Buford===
'''Henry and Wendell:'''
Mama don't whip little Buford.<br>Mama don't pound on his head.<br>Mama don't whip little Buford.<br>I think you should shoot him instead.<br>
'''Henry:'''
===Tears Will Be The Chaser For My Wine===
[[Image:Trixie.jpg|thumb|300px|Trixie performing Tears Will Be the Chasher For My Wine.]]
After "Mamma, Don't Whip Little Buford", Wendell leaves the stage. Henry then proceeds to introduce Trixie, a very large brown bear who wears a bow in her hair and a blue tutu on her waist. Trixie plays no instrument, and is holding a blue handkerchief and a glass of wine in her hands. Gomer is raised back on the center stage to accompany Trixie , who is located on the far right stage.
====Song Lyrics====
'''Trixie:'''
Tears will be the chaser for your wine.<br>After you leave this love of mine.<br>Bright lights and taverns,<br>That's where you'll spend your time, <br>and tears will be the chaser for your wine.<br>
===How Long Will My Baby Be Gone===
'''Shaker:'''
How long is forever?<br>How soon is now or never?<br>How long will this heartache linger on?<br>And how long will my baby be gone?<br>
===All the Guys Who Turn Me On Turn Me Down===
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|300px400px|thumb|The Sun Bonnet Trio. From left to right: Beulah, Bunny and Bubbles.]]
====Song Lyrics====
'''The Sun Bonnets:'''
Every time I meet a guy who gets me shook,<br>All I ever get from him's a dirty look.<br>It's the same way, everywhere I've found.<br>All the guys that turn me on, turn me down.<br><br>All the guys that turn me on, turn me down.<br>Nothing works for me that I found.<br>It's the same way everywhere I see.<br>Nothing ever seems to work for me.<br>Nothing ever seems to work for me.<br><br>Doodle doodle do-do-do bum bump.<br>
===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]]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 BerraBarra!”. 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.
====Song Lyrics====
===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|300px400px|thumb|Big Al singing "Blood On The Saddle".]]
====Song Lyrics====
'''Big Al:'''
There was blood on the saddle.<br>And blood all around.<br>And a great big puddle<br>Of blood on the ground.<br>
===The Ballad of Davy Crockett===
'''Henry and Sammy:'''
Born on a mountain top in Tennessee.<br>Greenest state in the land of the free.<br>Raised in the woods, so he knew every tree.<br>Tamed him a "b'ar" when he was only three.<br><br>Davy. Davy Crockett. King of the wild frontier.<br><br>Up through the woods, he's a marching along.<br>Making up yarns, and a'singing his song.<br>Itchin' for fighting, and righting a wrong...<br>
====Ole Slew-Foot====
Right in the middle of "The Ballad of Davy Crockett", Big Al reappears on the far left stage, once again singing "Blood on the Saddle". As Henry tells Big Al to stop, Sammy begins to realize the situation is hopeless. He tells Henry that they’re going to need help. Henry cues “the gang”, and all the other bears (except Earnest and Trixie) appear on stage. Together they sing the shows finale, “Ole Slew-Foot”. As the cast performs, Big Al (undaunted by their singing) continues to sing "Blood on the Saddle". At the conclusion of the song, the stage gets dark and a crashing noise comes from Big Al’s stage.
====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|350px400px|thumb|The finale of the Country Bear Jamboree.]]<strike> Well, he's big around the middle,<br>And he's broad across the rump.<br>Running ninety miles an hour,<br>Making thirty feet a jump.<br><br>He's never been cornered,<br>And he's never been treed.<br>Some folks say he looks a lot like me. </strike><br><br>High on the mountain,<br>Tell me what do you see?<br>Bear tracks, bear tracks,<br>Looking back at me.<br><br>Better get your rifles,<br>Before it's too late.<br>Bear's got a little bigpig,<br>And he's headed through the gate.<br><br>He's big around the middle,<br>And he's broad across the rump.<br>Running ninety miles an hour,<br>Making thirty feet a jump.<br><br>HeAin's never t been cornered,<br>And heAin's t never been treed.<br>Some folks say he looks a lot like me. ===Come Again (Come On In)===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 (Come On In)”.<br>
===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]]
====Song Lyrics====
'''Henry, Sammy, Buck, Buff and Melvin:'''
We hope that you'll be coming back again.<br>That you'll drop in and see us now and then.<br>We've done our very best to please.<br>With just the "bear" necessities.<br>We hope that you'll be coming back again.<br><br>Come again (Please return!).<br>Come again (Any time!).<br>The welcome mat is always out,<br>'Cause seeing you is fine.<br>
==Former Songs==
'''Zeke:'''
When I was young and in my prime,<br>I thought I never would marry.<br>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.]](Atta-boy, Zeke!)<br><br>Ring-a-ding-ding Mary,<br>Prettyiest little gal, I ever did see.<br>Her name was Devilish Mary.<br><br>(What a gal!)<br><br>Hadn't been married but about two weeks,<br>She got as mean as the devil.<br>And every time I looked cross-eyed,<br>She'd hit me on the head with a "shevil."<br><br>(How sad.)<br><br>Ring-a-ding-ding Mary,<br>Prettiest little gal, I ever did see.<br>Her name was Devilish Mary.<br><br>(What a pity.)<br><br>Her name was Devilish Mary.<br>
==Cast==
[[Image:Concept1.jpg|thumb|400px|Concept art for Terrance, Henry, Liver Lips, and Tennessee]]
'''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.
'''Teddi Barra'''- Teddi Barra is the only Country Bear that does not appear on stage. Instead she comes down from the ceiling on her swing, which is decorated with pink roses. Teddi is a brown bear and wears a pink hat with a feather as well as a long pink bow around her neck. She is voiced by Roni Stoneman <ref name= "dave"/>. Teddi sings "Heart We Did All That We Could" and also joins the bears to sing "Ole Slew-Foot".
'''Shaker (aka Terrance)'''- Shaker is a tall bear with tan fur who plays the guitar while wearing a miner's cap and yellow vest. He is voiced by Van Stoneman<ref name= "Spence2"/> and he appears on the left-center stage. Shaker sings "How Long Will My Baby Be Gone” and also appears with the rest of the bears to sing "Ole Slew-Foot".
'''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]]
'''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.
* '''Tennessee'''- Tennessee plays the One String Thang, which sounds like a guitar but only has one string. He is brown and wears a red bandanna around his neck.
[[Image:Concept3.jpg|thumb|400px|Concept art for Fred, Ted, Teddi and Ernest (The Dude)]]
* '''Baby Oscar'''- Unlike the other bears in the Five Bear Rugs, Baby Oscar plays no instrument. He does carry a teddy bear however, which he squeaks from time to time. He is brown, and on the 1971 Country Bear Jamboree album it is mentioned that he is Zeb's son.
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.bravepages.com/id250.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.bravepages.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"/>.
==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|350px400px|Ursus H. Bear founder of the Country Bear Jamboree]]
* 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>.
* The attraction was sponsored by Pepsi-Cola and Frito Lay from 1971 until 1981 <ref> http://allears.net/tp/mk/mk_bears.htm </ref>.
*During this time Henry introduced the show as "brought to you by Pepsi-Cola and Frito-Lay. Featuring a bit of Americana, our musical heritage of the past" <ref> https://www.mouseplanet.com/9399/The_Lost_Biographies_of_the_Country_Bears </ref>.
* Until the 2012 refurbishment, a reference to Pepsi's sponsorship could still be heard in the attraction. Henry's line at the beginning of the show, "Just refrain from hibernating, and we'll all enjoy the show. Because we got a lot to give", was a reference to Pepsi's advertising slogan "You've got a lot to live, Pepsi's got a lot to give" <ref> http://mentalfloss.com/article/68837/10-twangy-facts-about-disneys-country-bear-jamboree </ref>.
