LPWire: Walt Disney Records Releases a Bonafide Hit with "O Mickey, Where Art Thou?"

Walt Disney Records Releases a Bonafide Hit with "O Mickey, Where Art Thou?"

Walt Disney Records is pleased to announce the release of "O Mickey, Where Art Thou?" a porch-friendly, banjo-pickin', washboard-thumping compilation inspired by the sound of bluegrass and country music. "O Mickey, Where Art Thou?," available April 1, 2003, draws upon some of Nashville's finest musicians who cook up some Disney classics with a definite bluegrass flavor. "A musical marriage made in heaven!" proclaims Grammy-nominated(R) producer Fred Mollin.

Born in the 1940s, bluegrass was a harder, faster and more technically demanding genre of the traditional string band sound that formed the roots of country music. The genre was named Bluegrass after its creator, Bill Monroe, who named his band The Blue Grass Boys. "O Mickey, Where Art Thou?" "combines a treasury of some of the most wondrous songwriting in the history of popular music" while "keeping the traditional instrumentation and spirit of true bluegrass," says Mollin. "O Mickey, Where Art Thou's?" combination of well-loved songs and warm, folksy style is sure to take children and parents alike on a journey back to America's musical roots.

Fred Mollin has produced other Disney albums, including "The Lullaby Album," which was ranked the second best-selling children's album in 2001 by Billboard magazine, and, most recently, "Princess Lullabies," released in the fall of 2002.

"O Mickey, Where Art Thou?" will be available April 1, 2003 for a suggested retail price of $18.98 for CD. All Walt Disney audio products can also be ordered by visiting Walt Disney Records' website: http://www.Disney.com/DisneyRecords.

"O Mickey, Where Art Thou?" Producer notes, biographies and track listing:
"I can't forget to mention the stellar cast of musicians, whose playing elevated every moment and mood, not to mention getting everyone's toes tapping and smiles widening." -- Fred Mollin

• "Circle of Life" (from Disney's "The Lion King")
  Collin Raye's blend of Western swing, rockabilly, country-rock and sentimental ballads brought him a string of hits in the early '90s.
  "I'm also really thrilled at our version of `The Lion King's' 'Circle of Life' where I came up with the idea of adding elements of the bluegrass standard `Will the Circle be Unbroken' and bridged a gap that became effortless and life-affirming. Combine that with a one-take vocal by Collin Raye, who has a vocal range of operatic proportions, and you have the opening cut which clearly illustrates the soul and spirit of this record." -- Fred Mollin
   
• "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" (from Walt Disney's "The Song of the South")
  Elizabeth Cook, country singer and songwriter, made her Grand Ole Opry debut in 2000 and soon appeared repeatedly thereafter. Her beautiful voice, strong songwriting ability and live performances drew comparisons to legendary singers Kelly Willis and Dolly Parton.
   
• "You'll Be in My Heart" (from Disney's "Tarzan")
  Kevin Montgomery singer/songwriter is known for his lonesome-sounding voice and heartfelt lyrics.
  "I also loved taking a newer Disney classic, 'You'll Be in My Heart' from 'Tarzan,' that has only been heard as contemporary pop and turning it into a slightly bouncy bluegrass tune that has such a heart on it, you can't help but be won over." -- Fred Mollin
   
• "Baby Mine" (from Walt Disney's "Dumbo")
  "Caroline Brown hails from the soulful town of Millery, Alabama. She now resides in Nashville to launch her performing career." -- Fred Mollin
   
• "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" (from Walt Disney's "Mary Poppins")
  "As far as pure artistry, check out the instrumental version of `Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.' It's bluegrass playing at its most exciting." -- Fred Mollin
   
• "The Bare Necessities" (from Walt Disney's "The Jungle Book")
  Stonewall Jackson, singer, songwriter and one of country's living legends, has recorded a number of Top Ten Country hits and has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1956.
  "The playfulness of `The Bare Necessities' was multiplied by having a true loveable bear of a man, Stonewall Jackson, become the mentor who imparts true life wisdom in a sweet, down-home picking session." -- Fred Mollin
   
• "When She Loved Me" (from Disney/Pixar's "Toy Story 2")
  Sonya Isaac, a protege of Vince Gill's with roots in bluegrass and gospel, is a singer/songwriter and the mandolin player in her family band, The Isaac's.
   
• "You've Got a Friend in Me" (from Disney/Pixar's "Toy Story")
  "Amanda Martin and Lyle Goodman are two talented singer/songwriters who are just beginning their individual recording careers, based out of Nashville." -- Fred Mollin
   
• "Mickey Mouse Club March"/"The Ballad of Davy Crockett" (from Walt Disney's "Mickey Mouse Club" and Disney's "The Adventures of Davy Crockett")
   
• "When I See an Elephant Fly" (from Walt Disney's "Dumbo")
  Robbie Fulks sang and played guitar with the Special Consensus Bluegrass Band and appeared on their 1989 Grammy-nominated(R) album. Soon after he became a cast member in the award-winning Woody Guthrie's "American Song."
   
• "I Will Go Sailing No More" (from Disney/Pixar's "Toy Story")
  Charlie Louvin, one of the most influential musicians of the '40s and '50s, was half of the Louvin Brothers, who defined close harmony duet singing for several generations of country fans. He began a solo career and has enjoyed many Top Ten hits.
  "The seasoned voice of Charlie Louvin makes `I Will Go Sailing No More' one of the most poignant readings I've ever heard." -- Fred Mollin
   
• "When You Wish Upon a Star" (from Walt Disney's "Pinocchio")
  Ronnie Milsap, one of the major figures of country music since the '70s, developed a hybrid of country and pop which brought him a huge following and 40 #1 country hits. He was declared a virtuoso of the violin and has mastered the piano, guitar and a variety of other stringed instruments.

--Posted March 25, 2003
Source: Walt Disney Records