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/* Fun Facts and Trivia */
{{Template:Infobox Disney ride || image=Fivebearrugsposter.jpg| caption='''The Country Bear Jamboree poster|alt= Country Bear Jamboree poster''' | land=Frontierland| park=Magic Kingdom| type= Audio Animatronic Musical| duration=11:00 <br> 15:55 (prior to 2012 refurbishment)| audio-animatronics=24 | opened=October 1, 1971 | sponsor= Pepsi Cola and Frito Lay (1971-1981)|custom_label_2= Disney Genie +|custom_value_2= No}}The Country Bear Jamboree is an attraction located in Fronteirland[[Frontierland]].
==History==
To create this new show, Walt tasked Imagineer Marc Davis with creating a 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 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 openedin the Magic Kingdom, it was proved to be so popular that another one a copy of the attraction was built for Disneyland<Ref name= "Spence1"/>. Starting in 1982, the County Disney World’s Country Bear Jamboree remained unchanged until 1984 when the attraction was given a new show during the holiday season called Country the “Country Bear Christmas SpecialSpecial”. The show would return annual annually around Christmastime until 2005<ref> http://waltdatedworld. Due com/id250.htm </ref>. In 1986, due to the popularity of the Country BearsBear’s popularity, Disney decided to create a new show was created in 1986 called for the attraction, The Country Bear Vacation Hoedown. The new show Country Bear Vacation Hoedown featured the bears in their vacation outfits and featured them , singing new songs such as Ghost “Ghost Riders in the Sky Sky” and On The “On the Road AgainAgain” <ref> http://waltdatedworld.com/id60.htm </ref>. Due to attendance struggles the 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 it's 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>. =Preshow=Queue==The Country Bear Jamboree takes place inside Grizzly Hall. While waiting in the 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|Melvin, Buck and Max in the Country Bear Jamboree.|alt= Singing heads Country Bear Jamboree Melvin Buck Max]]The Country Bear Jamboree is a "hoedown" style show that features almost constant singing. The show begins with 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 (mostly Buffa deer) Telling begins the show. '''Buff:''' Hey Henry that its time to start , what's holding ya up? Let's get on with the show! We can't hang around here all day. '''Buck:''' Now Buff, be patient. It takes a little doing to set these things up.
'''Melvin:''' Yea, we ain't going anywhere anyhow. We're kind of hung up here!
===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 blue color white collar and yellow tie, and always as has a honeycomb on his piano.
====Song Lyrics====
[[Image:Henry2.jpg|thumb|400px|Henry, the master of ceremonies at the Country Bear Jamboree.|alt= Henry 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.)'''
'''Henry:''' Give me a little intro there Gomer.
(Gomer begins to play "Pianjo" - an instrumental song.)
'''Henry:'''Howdy folks. Welcome to the one and only original Country Bear Jamboree, featuring a bit of Americana, our musical heritage of the past. <strike> But enough of this chit chat, yick yack, and flim flam. Just refrain from hibernating, and we'll all enjoy the show...because we got a lot to give.</strike>
(Gomer plays a piano solo)
<strike> '''Melvin:'''Hey! He's a regular Liberace.</strike>
<strike> '''Buck:''' And he plays, good too.</strike>
===Bear Band Serenade===
Pianjo leads directly into the Bear Band Serenade, in which . Henry introduces the 5 Five Bear Rugs who are then perform on the center stage.The Five Bear Rugs consist of:
*ZeekZeke- The lead singer of the bears, he . He is a grey bear with glasses who wears a tan top hat. He Zeke plays the banjo and dishpan.
*ZedZeb- A brown bear with a light brown stomach. Zed Zeb wears a bandanna around his neck and miner's hat. He plays the fiddle.
*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. He plays the mouth harp.
* Tennessee- Tennessee is a A brown bear who plays the One-String Thang, which sounds just like a guitar (but only has one string). Tennessee years wears a red bandanna around his neckand 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.
====Song Lyrics====
'''Henry(AUTHORS NOTE:'''The Bear Band bears will play nowIn Some of the good ol' key lyrics in this song were removed during the 2012 refurbishment of Gthe attraction.Zeek and Zeb and Ted and FredAnd The lyrics that are no longer in the show will appear with a bear named Tennesseeline through them.)'''
Brother Ted is on the corn jug.<br>Now, I mean that bear can blow.<br>He also plays the washboard<br>With a handle of a hoe.<br><br>And big Fred's playin' mouth harp.<br>He plays it kinda sad.<br>He never took a lesson,<br>He just picked it up from Daddad. <br><br>And li'l ol' Tennessee Bear<br>Is a-featured on the thang.<br>Sounds just like a guitar,<br>But it's only got one string.<br><br>So 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.<br>
====Song Lyrics====
'''HenryLiver Lips:''' Now here[[Image:LiverLips.jpg|thumb|400px|Liver Lips McGrowl| |alt= Liver Lips Country Bear Jamboree]]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 fractured folk songton.<br>She's my woman, butchered by two birdsthrough and through.<br>I love her only 'cause my heart is true.<br>
===Mamma, Don'''t Whip Little Buford===When Liver Lips is finished with his song, Wendell:''' We wrote these lousy lyrics, and we also wrote Henry come on stage to sing the wordssong “Mamma, Don’t Whip Little Buford. '''Henry:''' The chords are very simple” Wendell is a golden brown bear who plays the mandolin. In fact, there's only threeHe wears a blue bandanna around his neck and a dark hat. First there's G, then C then D.And then you go on back to GHe is recognizable by his overbite and buck teeth.
====Song Lyrics===='''Henry and Wendell:''' But you got to be quick!
Mama don't whip little Buford.<br>Mama don't pound on his head.<br>Mama don'Henry:'''' Hahahat whip little Buford.<br>I think you should shoot him instead.<br>
====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''Liver Lips:'''ll spend your time, <br>and tears will be the chaser for your wine.<br>
====Song Lyrics====
'''Henry and WendellThe Sun Bonnets:'''
'''Henry:'''
Lovely, lovely.
===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".|alt= Big Al Country Bear Jamboree Blood on the Saddle]]
====Song Lyrics====
'''TrixieBig Al:'''
===Pretty Little Devilish MaryThe Ballad of Davy Crockett===As Big Al finishes his song with a laugh, Henry appears on the far right stage. On his head is Sammy, a raccoon who actually makes up Henry's coonskin cap. Together the duo begins to sing “The Ballad of Davy Crockett”.
====Song Lyrics====
'''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.|alt= Country Bear Jamboree Concept art Marc Davis]](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|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. '''Liver Lips McGrowl'''- A big bear who gets his name from his large lips, Liver Lips plays the guitar. He is voiced by Jimmy Stoneman<ref name= "dave"> http://davelandblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/country-bear-jamboree-blowout.html </ref> and appears on the right-center stage. Liver Lips sings "My Woman Ain't Pretty (But She Don't Swear None)" and joins the bears in the finale, "Ole Slew-Foot" '''Wendell'''- Wendell is a golden brown bear who plays the mandolin. He wears a blue bandanna around his neck and a dark (formally tan) hat. He is recognizable for his overbite and buck teeth. Wendell is voiced by Bill Cole<ref name= "Spence2"/> and appears on center stage. Wendell sings "Mamma, Don't Whip Little Buford" with Henry as well as joining the bears to sing the finale, "Ole Slew-Foot". Prior to 2012 Wendell performed "Fractured Folk Song" with Henry. '''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". '''Ernest'''- Ernest is a brown bear who plays the fiddle while wearing a brown hat, a white collar and a red polka dot tie. Ernest was voiced by Van Stoneman from October 1971 until July 1975 when Randy Sparks <ref name= "dave"/> took over his vocals on “If You Can’t Bite Don’t Growl”. '''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| 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. '''The Sun Bonnet Trio'''- The Sun Bonnet Trio is made up of three identical sisters. All three sisters have brown fur wear blue bonnets and dresses. The sisters appear on center stage and together they sing "All The Guys That Turn Me On Turn Me Down" and the show's finale "Ole Slew-Foot". The Sun Bonnet Trio consists of: * '''Bunny'''- Bunny stands in the center of her sisters and is voiced by Jackie Ward <ref name= "Spence2"/> . * '''Bubbles'''- Bubbles stands to the audience's left (between Gomer and Bunny) and is voiced by Loulie Jean Norman <ref name= "Spence2"/> . * '''Beulah'''- Beulah stands to the audience's right and is voiced by Peggy Clark <ref name= "Spence2"/> . '''Gomer'''- Gomer is a tall purple bear who wears a white and a yellow tie. Gomer is the only Country Bear in the show (with the exception of some of the Five Bear Rugs) who does not sing. Instead, he plays his piano which has a honeycomb on top of it. Gomer appears on center stage and performs on the songs: "Tears Will Be the Chaser for My Wine", "All the Guys That Turn Me on Turn Me Down" and the shows finale, "Ole Slew-Foot". Prior to the 2012 refurbishment Gomer had brown fur and he wore a blue tie and he also performed on "Bear Band Serenade",. '''The Five Bear Rugs'''- The Five Bear Rugs are the Country Bear Jamboree's main band. They appear on center stage and perform, "Bear Band Serenade" and "Ole Slew-Foot". Prior to the 2012 refurbishment of the attraction the Five Bear Rugs also performed "Pretty Little Devilish Mary". The band consists of: * '''Zeke'''- The Five Bear Rugs lead singer; Zeke plays a banjo and taps on the dishpan with "a real ol' country beat". He is a grey bear with glasses who wears a tan top hat. He was voiced by Dallas McKennon from October 1971 until July 1975 <ref> http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0268428/ </ref>, when Randy Sparks rerecorded his vocals <ref name= "Spence2"> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2010/10/country_bear_jamboree_part_two.html </ref>. Zeke is located in the center of the band. * '''Zeb'''- Zeb is brown bear with a light brown stomach, who plays the fiddle. Zeb wears a miner's hat and a bandanna around his neck, and he is voiced by a member of the Stoneman family<ref name= "Spence2"/> . Zeb sits on Zeke's left. * '''Ted'''- Ted is a tall, skinny bear who blows on the corn jug and plays the washboard. His fur is brown, and he wears a white vest with a brown hat. Ted is located behind Zeb. * '''Fred'''- The biggest of the five bears, Fred plays mouth harp. He is a brown bear who blue jeans held up with suspenders as well as a striped red and white tie. Fred is located behind Zeke and next to Ted. * '''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. '''Buff'''- Buff is considered the leader of the animal heads and is also the first animal to talk in the show. He is the head portion of an American Bison and is voiced by Disney Legend Thurl Ravenscroft<ref name= "Spence2"/> . Buff is located between Melvin and Max and all three heads are located on the left wall of the theater. Throughout the show the animal heads talk both amongst themselves, and to the performers. The only song that Buff sings in is "Come Again (Come On In)" which he sings as guests leave the hall. '''Max'''- Max is the head portion of a stag who is voiced by Pete Renaday<ref name= "Spence2"/> . Max talks with Melvin and Buff, as well as Henry periodically throughout the show. He is located to the right of Buff and performs the song "Come Again (Come On In).” '''Melvin'''- Melvin is a moose head who is voiced by Bill Lee<ref name= "Spence2"/> . Melvin is good-natured and is located on the left side of Buff. He performs the song "Come Again (Come On In)” as guests leave the hall. '''Sammy'''- Sammy is Henry's raccoon pal who cuddles around Henry's top hat, acting like a coonskin cap for the bear. Voiced by Bill Cole<ref name= "Spence2"/> , Sammy performs on the final three songs of the attraction, "The Ballad of Davy Crockett", "Ole Slaw-Foot", and "Come Again (Come On In)" ==Watch the Show!=={{#ev:youtube|Q9MNVi1Q5tA|420}} '''To see the show that ran from 1972 until 2012''' [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_N-YSj24KrQ'''Click Here'''.] ==The Country Bear Christmas Special==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"/>. ==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"/>. ==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|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>. * Initially Five Bear Rugs’ member Tennessee was going to be named Lemonade. This name can be heard in the Bear Band Serenade Demo found [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAR-L_iKKJI'''Here'''.].