Disneyland's Candlelight Processional Commemorative Brochure

Here's the commemorative brochure for Disneyland's annual (and quite wonderful) Candlelight Ceremony aka The Candlelight Processional. This beloved event is the forerunner, the granddaddy of a similar event at Epcot (which actually began in 1971 at the Magic Kingdom).

 

 

 

 It is too bad that this piece is in black and white! I can just imagine just how beautiful this would be in brilliant color back when it was printed in 1978? Stunning, either way.

First started in 1958, the tradition has continued on, becoming a much beloved event for Southern California park goers. The list of celebrity narrators reads like a "Who's Who" of Hollywood both in its glory days and in modern times: Dick Van Dyke, Chris Pratt, Cary Grant, James Earl Jones, and John Wayne. Actress Viola Davis was the guest narrator for 2022.

   

 

This is one Disney tradition that I hope will remain year after year after year!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Keith Urban's Ode to the Johns in His Life

Gotta say I just heard the new single by Keith Urban, and it is an instant classic! The upbeat, playful tune is titled "John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16". Not in the least bit preachy, in spite of the Biblical reference in the name. 

Keith's been away since 2013, and with his stint on American Idol coming to an end, it's time for him to focus solely on the music once again. 

For me, his 2009 album, Defying Gravity, was one incredible disc! Chock full of great songs- everything from "Kiss A Girl" to "Hit the Ground Runnin'" captured the fun of country music. I even found a bit of the Eagles and their California meets Arizona stylings in the underrated "Only You Can Love Me This Way".

Radio.com has this great but short interview with Keith about his new album and particularly his new single:

“It’s a great feeling to be back in the studio shaping a new album,” Urban said in a press release about the song. “‘John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16’ was sent to me a few months ago by one of the songwriters and I loved it immediately—loved it so much that right before I walked out on stage at the Ryman (Auditorium) for CRS a few months back, I thought I’d play the song solo acoustic to see what the audience thought.

“Flash forward and there’s no doubt that their response that day helped make it the first single from what will be my next album.”

“John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16″ was written by Shane McAnally, Ross Copperman and Josh Osborne and co-produced by Dann Huff and Urban. Urban said that the song “resonated deeply” with him the movement he heard it.

“It’s the poetic use of the three Johns and what each represents to me,” he said.