From Idea to EP: How Disney Music Group Reimagines Iconic Songs for New Audiences | S3E7
ON THIS EPISODE OF LIFE AT DISNEY
To celebrate the release of the brand-new EP, "Main Street Country," hear stories about the project from two employees at Disney Music Group. From understanding Mickey & Friends’ taste in music, to identifying artists and building a track list, the album was a collaborative effort from start to finish.
MEET OUR GUESTS
Dani, Director, Artists & Repertoire, Disney Music Group
“If someone loves music, there is no place in the world like Disney Music Group. There is virtually no genre of music that I haven’t worked on in my career.”
With nearly 30 years of experience at Disney Music Group, Dani has seen it all. She’s worked directly with top talent in the music industry like Sabrina Carpenter and Jordan Fisher, discovered composer Emily Bear when she was just five years old, and more recently helped produce albums for the Mickey & Friends franchise like “Minnie LoFi Focus” and “A Whole New Sound.” When asked which projects have shaped her career, she claimed there are almost too many to count.
“I get something out of each and every project I have the honor of working on.”
Meyrick, Director, Marketing, Disney Music Group
“I love working for Disney because of the nostalgia and emotion it brings out in people. It’s special to be part of something that touches people in such a meaningful way.”
Meyrick has worked for Disney for 18 years, starting in Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment before eventually making his way to Disney Music Group. A career highlight for him was watching “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto” reach #1 on the Billboard charts. “The last #1 Disney song we had was ‘A Whole New World’ and that was in 1993,” he explains.
Working with Disney Music Group has helped Meyrick branch out from his usual skillset.
“We’re a small division, so most of us end up wearing a few different hats outside of our primary roles,” he says, “It’s great especially for my role because it helps me learn new things and build new skills.”
MUSIC BEYOND MOVIES
Many projects produced by Disney Music Group are soundtracks produced for films, making "Main Street Country" a unique project for the team to work on. They recognize that the album needs to stand strong on its own to be successful.
From a marketing perspective, Meyrick explains how classic Disney songs paired with popular country artists is a winning combination.
“For this project, we are mining the strength our music catalog and reimagining them to a new audience with a twist by going the country route. Also, we are working with artists who are selecting songs that have a deep connection to their lives.”
Dani also emphasizes the importance of letting the artists select their own songs for a stronger final product.
“I feel strongly that assigning a song to an artist is a mistake. I want each artist to feel a connection to the repertoire they are performing. Everyone has that magical Disney memory that informs their love for this company. I don’t want this to feel like a cover. I want it to feel like a song the artist could have sung themselves – it just happens to be a Disney song.”
CARRYING ON THE STORY OF MICKEY & FRIENDS
Collaborating with the franchise team behind Mickey & Friends was an essential aspect of the project. Music is a huge part of the Disney legacy, and albums like "Main Street Country" help expand the brand, grow that legacy and continue the story of Mickey & Friends in a new way.
“Mickey and his friends love all types of music,” Dani tells, “Minnie loves to study and relax with chill lofi music. You might find Mickey, Goofy and Donald at a pop punk concert because they love bands like Simple Plan, Yellowcard and New Found Glory. However, they aren’t limited to a specific genre. They love it all, which is why they’re continuing to share their love for music with their favorite country artists.”
Meyrick said balancing the Mickey & Friends brand while still appealing to the featured artists was a rewarding challenge for the team.
“We have to maintain our strategic objective for Mickey and Friends while ensuring that we deliver the strength and benefit of Disney’s synergistic opportunities to the artist — helping them reach new, untapped audiences.”
Like what you heard? Subscribe to the Life at Disney podcast to hear from the storytellers, dreamers and doers who are building their careers and making an impact across The Walt Disney Company.
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