“Howdy folks! Welcome to the one and only, original Country Bear Jamboree, featuring a bit of Americana—our musical heritage of the past.”

—Henry, your host

Here are just some of songs you’ll enjoy in this fast-paced musical variety show:

• “The Five Bear Rugs,” performed by Henry, introducing the band
• “My Woman Ain’t Pretty, but She Don’t Swear None,” performed by Liver-Lips McGrowl
• “Mama, Don’t Whip Little Buford,” performed by Henry and Wendell
• “Tears Will Be the Chaser for My Wine,” performed by Trixie
• “All the Guys that Turn Me On Turn Me Down,” performed by the Sun Bonnets—Bunny, Bubbles, and Beulah
• “Heart, We Did All that We Could,” performed by Teddi Barra, descending on a swing from the ceiling
• “Blood on the Saddle,” performed by the unbearable Big Al
• “The Ballad of Davy Crockett," performed by Henry
• “Blood on the Saddle,” performed again by Big Al
• “He’s Big Around the Middle and He’s Broad Across the Rump,” performed by almost all the other bears, trying to drown out Big Al.

In 1971, the Country Bear Jamboree opened to an enthusiastic response as one of the original attractions of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, Florida.

In 1972, the Country Bear Jamboree opened in Disneyland as the centerpiece of the park’s newest land, Bear Country.

Wonder Bread replaced Pepsi Cola as the sponsor in 1975. Strangely, Henry the bear continued to announce, “Just refrain from hibernatin’... and we’ll all enjoy the show, cause we got a lot to give!”—a reference to Pepsi Cola’s 1969-1973 slogan, “You’ve go a lot to live, Pepsi’s got a lot to give!”

A seasonal show, Country Bear Christmas, premiered in 1984, and returned regularly during the holidays.

In 1986, Disneyland’s Country Bear Jamboree “went to Yesterland.” A new vacation-themed show, the Country Bear Vacation Hoedown, replaced the original show. The attraction’s new name was Country Bear Playhouse. There was no sponsor.

The bears continued to perform the Country Bear Vacation Hoedown at Disneyland until September 9, 2001. The Country Bear Playhouse went dark forever.

The bears were evicted by a short and stout bear, the highly popular Winnie the Pooh. Having successfully evicted Mr. Toad from the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World to make room for the “Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” ride, Pooh Bear decided to do the same to his ursine brethren at Disneyland.

You can still see the Country Bears perform at Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland.

Indian Trading Post Bear Country Home

© 2007 Werner Weiss — Disclaimers, Copyright, and Trademarks

Updated May 9, 2007.

Photograph of the Five Bear Jugs at the Country Bear Jamboree: 1974 by Werner Weiss
Photograph of the Sun Bonnets at the Country Bear Jamboree: 1974 by Werner Weiss
Photograph of Big Al at the Country Bear Jamboree: 1974 by Werner Weiss.
Photos above taken without a flash, using GAF 500 color transparency film.
Photograph of Winnie the Pooh entrance: 2004 by Werner Weiss.