Baseball has its Hall of Fame. So does Rock and Roll music. Hollywood has a Walk of Fame, and there are numerous other Halls, Walls, and Walks that recognize contributions to everything from sports and entertainment to business and science. So, how does Disney celebrate those who have made groundbreaking contributions to the company? It’s through the recognition of Disney Legends. Disney Legends is a Hall of Fame award that is awarded by The Walt Disney Company to individuals who "[have] made a significant impact on the Disney legacy." The honor was established in 1987, and was traditionally awarded annually during a special private ceremony. Since 2009, it has been awarded on a biennial basis during Disney's D23 Expo and there are currently 318 individuals who have received that recognition.

With all the incredible contributions that Disney has made to the world, it is no small feat to qualify and be recognized as a Disney Legend. And each recipient has a rich story that has made an impact to the company, culture, and our lives. That is where today’s guest comes in. Jamie Hecker is an author and friend who has written several books about Disney, including two volumes about these icons: Disney Legends: Makers of Magic Volume 1, and the recently released Volume 2. Jamie joins us today to give some history and context around the award, as well as discuss those Legends who have impacted Disney music.

Please follow Jamie at jamieheckerwriter.com and you can also find his books on Amazon

One of the most beloved and cherished Disney movies is the classic Mary Poppins. It has amazed and delighted audiences for 61 years through its technical innovation, incredible set pieces, and of course, its iconic music by the legendary Sherman Brothers. Almost all of us love the movie and many of us know at least some of the background of the film through the movie Saving Mr. Banks, which shed some light on how Walt Disney made the film, how the Sherman Brothers wrote the music, and the interplay with the notoriously difficult author, PL Travers. But there is so much more history and context behind the film, with so much previously unknown information and details about the prominent role that the Sherman Brothers played in bringing it to life. All these stories are revealed in the new book “Making Mary Poppins: The Sherman Brothers, Walt Disney, and the Creation of a Classic Film” by Todd James Pierce. Todd joins us today to discuss the book and shares some of those stories with us.

You can find Todd at www.toddjamespierce.com and order the book on Amazon here.

Disney, as we know it today, was shaped by the success and legacy of The Little Mermaid, which ushered in the Disney Renaissance, marrying Broadway musical sensibilities with character driven stories that emotionally bonded the audience to the movies through now-iconic songs. Today we are joined by the co-writer and director of the Little Mermaid, John Musker, who also wrote and directed so many other legendary movies including Aladdin, Hercules, The Great Mouse Detective, Treasure Planet, The Princess and the Frog, and Moana along with his long-time collaborator Ron Clement. Looking through this filmography, I am struck by the fact that John was able to create classic movies through three different eras, keeping music at the forefront while creating timeless stories with humor, adventure, and heart. John shares his amazing career with us while providing behind-the-scenes insight into the movies that we all know and love.