Billy Hill and the Hillbillies Final Performances

Disney often combines laughter and tears, but on Monday, January 6, tears were combined with hilarity as Billy Hill and the Hillbillies played their final set at Disneyland’s Big Thunder Ranch. It was fitting that the wildly popular bluegrass performers should wind up their career under the stars; they began at Disney as temporary entertainers at the pig races that were part of the Disneyland State Fair in 1987.

Even before it was officially announced, word had begun to spread that the group would be ending their run in Frontierland. Although the Golden Horseshoe had been their base of operation, in recent years they had spent the holidays at the Ranch, first as Billy Hill and the Haunted Hillbillies for Halloween, then Billy Hill and the Holiday Hillbillies through November and December. Joining them for each show during the holidays were the Country Bears, lured out of hibernation by the bluegrass music and corny comedy.

Monday, January 6 was in no way an ordinary day for the Billies, as they have been affectionately nicknamed by their many fans. From the moment the Jingle Jangle Jamboree at the ranch opened, seats were filled and tables occupied as everyone waited to see and hear the Billies one last time. As the day wore on the arena kept filling up, until it finally reached capacity and had to be closed before the final set at 5:15pm.

For the most part, the Billies hewed closely to their set play list, although they did insert a few old favorites during different performances. With six scheduled showtimes, and many audience members sitting through essentially the same show all day, the Billies themselves began finding new humor in some otherwise familiar routines. As any mention of the Country Bears signaled the approaching end of a show (they appear during the final number), the crowd began to good-naturedly heckle any mention of the bears.

In the end, hilarity and sentiment carried the evening. The Billies offered their thanks to Disneyland for bringing them together, and keeping them on beyond that single summer for which they had been hired. The crowd roared their approval in longer and louder ovations as the day progressed. And even the Country Bears were shown the love that was always a big part of Billy Hill and the Hillbillies. After taking their leave a final time, the Billies took the stage for one last encore. It was, fittingly, a Disney song, and one whose message was perfectly suited to the occasion. The sweetly lilting tune and lyrics to “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” marked the end of an era. With a final, precise bow, Billy Hill and the Hillbillies bade a fond farewell to Disneyland, Frontierland, and the many friends they had made over the years.

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-- Posted January 9, 2013 -- Text and Video by Doug Marsh -- Pictures by Doug Marhs and Dave Mastanich