D23 Article: Songs of the South

Comic · 07-30-2010, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Underneath their larger-than-life felt hats, blue-jean overall costumes and "Billy" nametags are four extraordinary string musicians by the names of Kirk Wall, Dennis Fetchet, Keith Rosier and Duane Michaels. The foursome is part of the larger ensemble known as Billy Hill and the Hillbillies, a toe-tappin,' boot-slappin,' hand-clappin,' fiddlin' fun comedy revue performed daily for hundreds of Disneyland guests looking to duck away from the summer sun and relax inside the Golden Horseshoe Saloon. D23 met up with the Billys backstage in their greenroom after their midday show to find out how this group of musicians developed the hilarious stageshow that has become a Frontierland classic — a hidden gem tucked away off the shores of the Rivers of America.

Turn off your cell phones, the show's about to start. For today's performance, guests gather to watch the performance while sipping on Cokes, sharing funnel cakes and slurping up ice cream sundaes. They gather in front of the glimmering gold curtain that hangs behind the stage's velvety red bunting, cascading down on each side and framing up the proscenium. When the curtain opens, the saloon's luminous white globes perched on the decorative posts that divide the lower and upper level balcony dim, and the Billys — who look like they just stepped off the front porch of a mountain shack — appear on the lit stage. The dueling quartet performs a mixed bag of improvisational stand-up and sweet string orchestrations of bluegrass and country standards. They do a bit of what they've done for the past 22 years, and toss in a few surprises just for this particular audience, too.

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EPCOTPluto · 07-30-2010, 12:15 PM

Darn. I first thought of the 1946 film at first...

Mr. X · 07-30-2010, 06:19 PM

Not what I was expecting....

TiggerHappy · 07-30-2010, 07:52 PM

I've been had!

I thought they were finally going to release the movie here.

EPCOT Explorer · 07-30-2010, 09:45 PM

It's not worth reading unless they are doing something with that movie.

littledani · 07-31-2010, 12:15 AM

So I wasn't the only one expecting Brer Rabbit&co?

Purrypaws · 08-02-2010, 08:22 PM

Love Love LOVE these guys!
Great article!

07-30-2010, 12:15 PM	#2
EPCOTPluto Be a Dog! Status: EPCOTPluto , your favorite two-timing tramp. Save Join Date: May 2010 Location: From the Florida Sunshine Tree Posts: 264	Darn. I first thought of the 1946 film at first... __________________ "Happiness is a state of mind. It's just according to the way you look at things." Worst thing that has happened on the Internet: http://hhnvault.com/

07-30-2010, 06:19 PM	#3
Mr. X You will lose.... Everything.... Status: Mr. X thinks life would be easier if you could mark people as spam. Save Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: The HAM Posts: 1,122 Awards Showcase Total Awards: 1	Not what I was expecting.... __________________ I will not sacrifice Walt Disney World. We've made too many compromises already, too many retreats. They build the BAH, and we fall back. They neuter EPCOT Center with cartoon fish and crash test dummies, and we fall back. Not again. The line must be drawn here! This far and no further! And I will make them pay for what they've done!

07-30-2010, 07:52 PM	#4
TiggerHappy The Sea Monster Fangirl Status: TiggerHappy is job-hunting for Disney positions. Save Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: California (15 minutes away from the Happiest Place on Earth) Posts: 220	I've been had! I thought they were finally going to release the movie here. __________________

07-30-2010, 09:45 PM	#5
EPCOT Explorer Moderator & Founder of D64 Status: EPCOT Explorer is beginning the countdown again. 104 days. Save Join Date: May 2010 Location: Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL Posts: 1,987 Awards Showcase Total Awards: 1	It's not worth reading unless they are doing something with that movie. __________________ { Follow me on Twitter! }

07-31-2010, 12:15 AM	#6
littledani Amazon Belle Status: littledani school. sigh Save Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: southern california Posts: 79	So I wasn't the only one expecting Brer Rabbit&co? __________________ little dani. geek. southern californian. disney fanatic.

08-02-2010, 08:22 PM	#7
Purrypaws Junior Member Status: Purrypaws has no status. Save Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 3	Love Love LOVE these guys! Great article!

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