Notably Disney

The 96th Academy Awards takes place on Sun, March 10, making now a perfect time to think about Disney’s role with the Oscars. Over the years many dozens of songs and scores have been nominated, and even a handful have won for their respective categories. Invariably, though, there have been some significant omissions, in terms of songs and scores that should have been nominated, along with songs th...

Four years ago, orchestrator and composer Jeff Kryka joined Notably Disney to discuss his incredible score for The Imagineering Story, the 6-part documentary series on Disney+, as well as his early career in the music industry and often collaborating with famed composer Michael Giacchino. In the years since Jeff has orchestrated a number of films and series for The Walt Disney Company, from Marvel...

For 37 years The Walt Disney Company has bestowed one of its highest honors – the Disney Legends Award – to 304 contributors to the corporation over its 100-year history, ranging from animators and Imagineers to singers and executives. In Disney Legends: Makers of Magic, Volume 1, author Jamie Hecker highlights many of these notable names. On this episode of Notably Disney, Jamie joins host Brett...

In a special episode of Notably Disney, host Brett Nachman and guest Matthew Hodge (professor and author) discuss some favorite Disney songs and scores, and then offer recommendations if you like those particular selections. It's a fun game of "if you like this, then you love these" other options. Learn more about Matt's work by visiting his website . And be sure to purchase a copy of Cool Cats an...

A new year brings new opportunity to plan your Disney-related vacation. Travel journalist Seth Kubersky, the longtime author behind The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland series, joins host Brett Nachman to discuss the 2024 iteration of the book and how to best plan your next vacation to The Happiest Place on Earth. The pair discuss touring plans, Genie+, dining and lodging tips, and much more on this...

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has enveloped both the silver screen and television screens for the past 15 years, and now comes the release of a new book that explores the emergence of this Hollywood titan. MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios recently debuted from authors Dave Gonzales, Gavin Edwards, and Joanna Robinson, serving as an in-depth, comprehensive exploration into the studio that has come...

In November 1998 the fledgling Pixar Animation Studios debuted its second theatrical film after Toy Story, the massive hit that took Hollywood by storm. A Bug's Life may not have reached the same extraordinarily levels of critical and audience acclaim and box office prowess, but still represents a very beloved - if not underrated - feature in the Pixar pantheon of features. Today on Notably Disney...

Over the decades The Walt Disney Company has embarked on many projects that never came to fruition. One of those famous endeavors that has rarely been explored in as much depth is Disney’s intent to build a ski resort in the Mineral King Valley in the 1960s and 1970s. On this episode of Notably Disney host Brett Nachman speaks with journalists and writers Greg Glasgow and Kathryn Mayer. Glasgow an...

Dr. Cody Havard is Professor of Sport Commerce and the Director of Research in the Kemmons Wilson School at The University of Memphis and engages in work around sports rivalries and fandom. He has extended his passion for how fans appreciate their topical interests – specifically within the realm of Disney – into many venues, including a class, the Being a Fan of Disney: The Podcast, and now the B...

Today’s guest has represented Disney beauty and talent from the Broadway stage in New York to the shimmering seas of Disney Cruise Line. On this episode, host Brett Nachman brings on singer, actress, and educator Jennifer Shrader Williams, who played Babette and Belle for Disney on Broadway's Beauty and the Beast and currently teaches at William Peace University. The two talk all about Jennifer’s...

It’s book review time on this episode of Notably Disney as host Brett Nachman welcomes back some favorite fellow podcasters who have participated on many past episodes of the show. It’s Courtney Guth and Emily McDermott of the Book of the Mouse Club podcast that spotlights Disney books and books that have connections to Disney stories. On this episode, Brett, Courtney, and Emily discuss a recent a...

Composer, singer-songwriter, and musician Gabriel Mann has contributed dozens of scores over the past few decades across many media, such as video games, TV series, and movies. Within the world of Disney, and its broadcasting networks and streaming services, he is perhaps known as the composer behind hits like ABC's long-running Modern Family, drama A Million Little Things, and Disney+ original se...

Returning to Notably Disney is one of the most informed Disney scholars. Author Jim Fanning has contributed his talents to numerous Disney publications and titles over the years, and has multiple new releases this fall, including Drawing 100 Years of Disney Wonder: A retrospective collection of artwork and step-by-step drawing projects featuring a curated collection of iconic Disney characters the...

Dr. Peter C. Kunze, an assistant professor of communication at Tulane University, joins host Brett Nachman to discuss his new book: Staging a Comeback: Broadway, Hollywood, and the Disney Renaissance. The title explores a compelling era for The Walt Disney Company, one that ultimately found the fluttering corporation transform into a bustling conglomerate, in large part due to its leaning into mus...

This summer brought the return of one of film’s classic adventure heroes to the big screen. Although Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’s fate may have been in an subpar box office, its score, slated to be among the last of master composer John Williams, will leave you as excited as the ticker tape parade scene from the latest installment. On this episode of Notably Disney, fellow podcaster and...

The Enchanted Disney: Stories of Walt, Hollywood, and Live-Action Film uncovers the personal and professional experiences of fifteen individuals who have Disney connections, especially in concert with the world of live-action Disney films and the company’s founder himself. Spencer Wright, an author who joined in on an episode of Notably Disney more than a year ago to discuss his book Voices Behind...

Back in Fall 2020, John Debney joined Notably Disney for the first time, and he returns again! The Emmy Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated composer possesses a prolific catalogue of film projects that he has contributed to the company, from Hocus Pocus and The Princess Diaries, to Inspector Gadget and 2016’s The Jungle Book. Although he and host Brett Nachman discussed some of John’s film-b...

One of the earliest Disney podcasts to debut on the scene 18 years ago was "A Window to the Magic," offering a binaural glimpse into the sounds of the Disney theme parks. Its host Paul Barrie is a legend in the Disney podcast world, and today Paul joins host Brett Nachman on Notably Disney to discuss a fun topic: forgotten, favorite sounds and scores from Disneyland, both past and present. Brett a...

Disneyland Paris has enchanted guests for more than three decades, and host Brett Nachman finally had the opportunity to visit the European Disney destination. On this episode of Notably Disney, Brett and returning guest Matthew Hodge (author/pianist/professor) discuss their reflections of vacationing at the resort, as well as share their thoughts on the great music to be found across both parks....

Tammy Tuckey, established podcaster who hosts The Tammy Tuckey Show, and a wonderful artist and singer, has just released her newest album that celebrates the songs from our beloved Disney theme parks. “Glowing in Timeless Places” features an array of classic tunes and even an original piece by Tuckey herself. On this episode of Notably Disney, Tammy, such a welcomed guest from past episodes joins...

Disney Editions has recently released a bunch of books that commemorate the Disney 100 Years of Wonder celebration, reflecting the centennial of The Walt Disney Company. On this episode of Notably Disney, host Brett Nachman offers brief reviews of each of four books that recently debuted:  Walt Disney: An American Original (Commemorative Edition) by Bob Thomas;  The Official Walt Disney Quote Book...

Matt Grinke, composer, pianist, and musician, serves as the Music Captain of the Disney Wish ship, as part of the Disney Cruise Line fleet. On this episode of Notably Disney, Matt talks with host Brett Nachman about his experiences living on the ship, creating Disney song trivia games for the ships, engaging with guests during special cruise experiences, and his future exciting plans.  If you woul...

It all started with Ben Gates stealing the Declaration of Independence and manifested into a fan favorite franchise about discovering clues all around us. The National Treasure series has sparked newfound appreciation through the release of the National Treasure: Edge of History series on Disney Plus, and helping further our dive into the wonderful world of everything in this brand are this episod...

Musical theatre professor and author Matthew Hodge, who has written all about Disney and jazz music in his book  Cool Cats and a Hot Mouse: A History of Jazz and Disney , just saw the Paper Mill Playhouse's recently-concluded production of Hercules, based on the fan favorite 1997 Disney animated film. On this episode Notably Disney, Matt joins host Brett Nachman to discuss what worked in bringing...

Gijs Van Winkelhof is a pianist and composer who has played his tunes at Disneyland Paris and delighted audiences via his popular weekly YouTube livestreams where takes requests from viewers. On this episode of Notably Disney, Gijs joins host Brett Nachman to discuss his passion for Disney, piano playing at Disneyland Paris, experiences at the parks, developing amazing medleys, and more. He even p...