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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
| opened=October 1, 1971
| sponsor= Pepsi Cola and Frito Lay (1971-1981)
|custom_label_2= FastPass Disney Genie +
|custom_value_2= No
}}
The Country Bear Jamboree is an attraction located in [[Frontierland]].
==History==
[[Image:ImagineerHenry.jpg|thumb|400px|WED Engineers programming Henry.|alt= Imagineers Country Bear Jamboree]]
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|MevinMelvin, 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 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.
====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.)'''
*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.|alt= Five Bear Rugs Country Bear Jamboree]]
And right now, I give you a sordid assortment of executioners of music and song. The Five Bear Rugs! Hit it boys.
===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|alt= Ernest Country Bear Jamboree]]
====Song Lyrics====
'''Ernest:'''
'''Liver Lips:'''
[[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>
===Tears Will Be The Chaser For My Wine===
[[Image:Trixie.jpg|thumb|300px|Trixie performing Tears Will Be the Chasher For My Wine.| Trixie Country Bear Jamboree]]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====
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.|alt= Sun Bonnets Beulah Bunny and Bubbles Country Bear Jamboree]]
====Song Lyrics====
===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| 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.
===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====
'''Big Al:'''
====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.|alt= Country Bear Jamboree finale]]
<strike> Well, he's big around the middle,<br>
And he's broad across the rump.<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|alt= Henry and Sammy Country Bear Jamboree]]
====Song Lyrics====
'''Henry, Sammy, Buck, Buff and Melvin:'''
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 Bear Band SerenadeFractured 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.
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>
==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.
'''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.
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|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>.
*The 2000 movie The Country Bears was based on the Country Bear Jamboree attraction <ref> http://www.wdwradio.com/2007/09/country-bear-jamboree/ </ref>.
* On October 10, 1985, Disney had a meeting with McDonald's to pitch the idea of the hamburger giant sponsoring the soon to be built [[Splash Mountain]]. At this time, either in addition to, or instead of Splash Mountain, Disney also offered McDonald's the chance to sponsor the upcoming "On Vacation with the Country Bears" show. The new version of the classic attraction would eventually open as the "Country Bear Vacation Hoedown" without McDonald's as a sponsor.
===Unused Songs===
(Authors Note: Information in this section was retrieved from the wonderful Country Bear series over at Passport to Dreams Old and New. To learn more about this topic head on over there. http://passport2dreams.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-music-of-country-bear-jamboree-part.html)
