Country Bear Jamboree Returns To Disney With Tunes By Mac McAnally, Emily Ann Roberts, More

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Country Bear Musical Jamboree cast members with Mac McAnally, Allison Russell and Emily Ann Roberts

Walt Disney World Resort is bringing back its reimagined Country Bear Musical Jamboree on July 17 with a new twist—Nashville-style Disney tunes inspired by country, Americana, bluegrass, pop-country, rockabilly and more. 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 tunes for over 50 years.

This summer, the bears are back with new songs for the attraction by Mac McAnally and more. McAnally brings the tune, “The Bare Necessities” from The Jungle Book to life along with Terrence, aka Shaker’s, version of the Frozen song “Fixer-Upper.” McAnally also produced and rearranged the new songs.

“I first saw the Country Bears as a teenage musician and it bolstered my pride in the acoustic musical heritage of the rural south,” says McAnally. “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.”

Emily Ann Roberts also joins McAnally as Trixie on a rendition of “Try Everything” from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Zootopia. Singer-songwriters Allison Russell and Chris Thile have also collaborated to create a heartwarming rendition of “A Whole New World” from Aladdin for the attraction, voicing Teddi Barra and Wendell, respectively.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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