A triptych image of three Disney animated films—on the left, Allan-a-Dale (voiced by Roger Miller), holding a lute, from 1973’s Robin Hood; in the middle, Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) and Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Disney Legend Tim Allen), from 1995’s Toy Story; on the right, Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) from 2006’s Cars.

Celebrating The 59th Annual CMA Awards: Country Songs in Disney Films

By Courtney Potter

Country Music’s Biggest Night™ is almost here! The 59th Annual CMA Awards will honor outstanding achievement in Country Music… celebrating all the artists, songwriters, musicians, and industry professionals whose work has shaped the genre over the last year. First held in 1967, the CMA Awards is the longest-running, annual music awards program on network television! Returning as host of the CMA Awards for the second consecutive year, reigning CMA Female Vocalist of the Year and six-time nominee this year Lainey Wilson will light up the stage with a powerful performance, while three-time nominee Luke Combs will deliver a dynamic rendition of his latest single, “Back in the Saddle.” The veritable cornucopia of other incredible performers scheduled to appear include Kelsea Ballerini, BigXthaPlug, Brandi Carlile, Kenny Chesney, Old Dominion, Riley Green, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, Patty Loveless, Megan Moroney, Shaboozey, Chris Stapleton, The Red Clay Strays, Zach Top, Tucker Wetmore, and Stephen Wilson Jr.

Before the big show—which airs live Wednesday, November 19, on ABC at 8 p.m. ET (and is available next day on Hulu) from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena—we thought it’d be fun to dive into the worlds of Disney and find some of the more memorable moments when country music appeared in iconic Disney films. If you feel like gettin’ into a rip-roarin’ (or perhaps sentimental) mood before tomorrow night, all these films are available to stream on Disney+!

A still from the 1973 Disney animated film Robin Hood, featuring Allan-a-Dale (voiced by Roger Miller), holding a lute.

Robin Hood (1973), “Oo-de-lally” by Roger Miller

A CMA Award nominee in 1999 for his song “Husbands and Wives” (as covered by Brooks & Dunn), Miller not only wrote several tunes for the beloved 1973 animated classic Robin Hood, he also voiced the character of Allan-a-Dale, the rooster narrator.

A still from 1995’s Toy Story, featuring Sheriff Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks), left, in his iconic hat and holster, and Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Disney Legend Tim Allen), with the clear hood of his spacesuit covering his head. Woody has his arm around Buzz and they are smiling at the camera, standing on the bed in Andy’s room.

Toy Story (1995), “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” by Randy Newman

Celebrating its big 30th anniversary this year, Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story is about as well known for its groundbreaking animation as it is for its title song, written and performed by Disney Legend Randy Newman. A duet version of the song features Newman alongside CMA Award nominee Lyle Lovett.

A still from 1999’s animated Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas, featuring the whole cast, including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, and Pluto. Everyone appears to be singing Christmas carols. A lit tree is to the group’s left.

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas (1999), “Deck the Halls” performed by SHeDAISY

The holiday season is almost upon us, so it’s a great time to revisit this fan favorite. Featuring a rendition of “Deck the Halls” by 2000 CMA Horizon Award nominee SHeDAISY, the film follows Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, and Pluto as they gather to reminisce about Christmases past.

In a still from 2000’s O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Pete (John Turturro), left, Delmar (Tim Blake Nelson), middle, and Ulysses Everett McGill (George Clooney) are sitting inside a car; McGill is driving and smiling, while the two others look more serious. It’s daytime, and fields of yellow can be seen out the car’s windows.

O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000), “I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow” performed by The Soggy Bottom Boys, feat. Dan Tyminski

This film’s soundtrack actually won the CMA Award for Album of the Year and Single of the Year (for “I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow”) in 2001—an unusual, but memorable, situation! For those unfamiliar, this film follows silver-tongued Ulysses Everett McGill (George Clooney) as he breaks out of a prison farm in Mississippi. Problem is, he’s still shackled to two misfits from his chain gang: bad-tempered Pete (John Turturro) and dimwitted Delmar (Tim Blake Nelson). Hilarious chaos ensues.

An image from the 2004 Disney animated film Home on the Range.

Home on the Range (2004), “Wherever the Trail May Lead” performed by Tim McGraw

This Disney animated film featured a soundtrack chockablock with country music, sung by the likes of Bonnie Raitt, k.d. lang, and McGraw—who, that same year (2004), won Single of the Year for “Live Like You Were Dying,” and was nominated for Entertainer of the Year, at the CMA Awards.

An image from the 2006 Disney and Pixar animated film Cars featuring Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson), as he’s driving down the highway outside of Radiator Springs, which can be seen in the distance behind him.

Cars (2006), “Life is a Highway” performed by Rascal Flatts

Another iconic song from an iconic Pixar animated film, “Life is a Highway” is sung by Rascal Flatts—a group that won Vocal Group of the Year at the CMA Awards the same year Cars raced into theaters. It’s Rascal Flatts’ most streamed song of all time, and for good reason… it’s an earworm!

The second CMA Horizon Award nominee on our list, Little Big Town had just released their second album when they recorded “We Go Together” for the soundtrack to 2006’s The Fox and the Hound 2. The film is also notable for having country-music superstar (and multi–CMA Award winner) Reba McEntire voicing the role of Dixie.

The Fox and the Hound 2 (2006), “We Go Together” performed by Little Big Town

The second CMA Horizon Award nominee on our list, Little Big Town had just released their second album when they recorded “We Go Together” for the soundtrack to 2006’s The Fox and the Hound 2. The film is also notable for having country-music superstar (and multi–CMA Award winner) Reba McEntire voicing the role of Dixie.

In a still from 2009’s Hannah Montana the Movie, Travis (Lucas Till), left, and Miley (Disney Legend Miley Cyrus), right, are riding on horseback through tall grass. Both are wearing cowboy hats and are smiling.

Hannah Montana the Movie (2009), “Crazier” performed by Taylor Swift

This 2009 film—the second-ever theatrical film based on a Disney Channel Original Series—not only contains tons of music by Disney Legend Miley Cyrus (whose father Billy Ray has won two CMA Awards), but it also features a song by none other than Taylor Swift… who won the CMA Horizon Award in 2007 and has been nominated (and won) many times since.