Art, I hope you find this and are reading it. In the spirit of Thanksgiving and Disneyland, my memories travel back over the decades to the beat of the Disneyland Band marching down Main Street USA to the awaiting chairs, music stands, and park benches in front of Town Hall. I am there waiting for another 20 or so minutes — it always goes by much too fast — of the happy sounds that make Disneyland the Happiest Place on Earth for me.
Of course, early on you didn’t know me. But after attending so many bandstand mini-concerts, it was always a pleasure to make eye-contact and know we each were seeing old, familiar friends. At least it felt that way to me.
Concerts in the park are a very old tradition in America, a throwback to the earlier times that Main Street USA is designed to transport us to. It was like stepping into an old Ideals magazine and reliving the simple joys and decency of community, enjoying the sounds of old and new, New Orleans jazz and Disney classics, Broadway standards, Americana medleys, and anything else that would prompt subconscious tappings of the toes.
Early at the turn of the 21st century, I was going through one of the more difficult seasons of my life and career. In those days, Art, you perhaps never were aware of how heart-warming and healing were the gifts of not only your music but also your familiar, welcoming smile. The beauty of Main Street USA with the lovely, refreshing flowers adorning the park provided the ideal backdrop for you and the Disneyland Band to deliver the happy, healing music to a hurting heart that restored color and balance to the washed out palette of my spirit.
When Mr. Daps asked me about participating in this 24 Days of Thanksgiving, my first impulse was gratitude for an old, familiar friend, the long-time director of the Disneyland Band and, I felt, my friend, my host. I am grateful for you, Art, and the many happy, wholesome and healing melodies you graciously shared over the decades.
Art Dragon Directing the Disneyland Band Videos
