Billy Hill and the Hillbillies Show (1994–2014)

The Billy Hill and the Hillbillies show (1994–2014) was a beloved live-action musical comedy performance in Disneyland’s Frontierland, known for its bluegrass country music, classic rock and rap covers, and slapstick humor. Initially performed at the Golden Horseshoe Saloon, the show moved to the Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree stage in 2012 and retired on January 6, 2014.

Here are 10 fun facts about this lively show:

1. Golden Horseshoe Start: Debuting on December 18, 1994, the show took over the Golden Horseshoe Saloon after the Golden Horseshoe Jamboree closed, evolving from a street band act in Critter Country (1989–1990) into a scripted 30-minute performance.
2. Comedy Bluegrass Vibe: The group, led by Kirk Wall as the frontman “Billy,” performed bluegrass-style covers of songs ranging from Elvis Presley and The Beatles to Disney tunes, mixed with original comedy skits and audience interaction.
3. Multiple Billys: The cast featured a rotating roster of 10–12 musicians, all adopting the stage name “Billy Hill” as brothers, with key performers including Kirk Wall (fiddle/guitar), Dennis Fetchet (fiddle), Evan Marshall (mandolin), and John Marshall (bass).
4. Signature Gags: A recurring skit, “The Train Thang,” mimicked a passing train during “Orange Blossom Special,” with performers ducking as if a locomotive roared by, while “buck teeth” gags saw Kirk switch from classical violin to country fiddle.
5. Elvis Impersonation: Kirk Wall often donned an Elvis persona, “Billy Elvis,” complete with a karate pose and the It’s Now or Never riff, transitioning back to his hillbilly character with a comedic hand-raise and “Back to me!”
6. Big Thunder Move: On June 18, 2012, the show relocated to the Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree stage, performing outdoors to align with seasonal events like Halloween’s Haunted Hillbillies and the holiday Jingle Jangle Jamboree.
7. Country Bears Cameos: During holiday performances at Big Thunder Ranch, Country Bears characters like Big Al joined the Hillbillies for songs, adding a crossover element from the nearby Country Bear Jamboree attraction.
8. Seven-Day Schedule: Expanded to seven days a week in 2003, the show ran up to five daily performances, requiring multiple teams (e.g., Blue and Green Teams) to cover the demanding schedule, with Kirk Wall as the consistent lead.
9. Pigmania Roots: The group originated in 1987 as the “Barley Boys” for the Disneyland State Fair’s “Pigmania” pig races at Big Thunder Ranch, later becoming a Critter Country street act before their Golden Horseshoe debut. The show’s “Billy Tell Overture,” a comedic take on the William Tell Overture, featured a mandolin or fiddle solo introduced by Kirk as his “little brother Billy,” showcasing the group’s musical versatility.
10. Temporary Woody’s Hiatus: From November 1999 to early 2000, the Hillbillies moved to Big Thunder Ranch while All-New Woody’s Roundup occupied the Golden Horseshoe, returning after the Toy Story 2 show’s brief run.