#Great Texas Longhorn Revue

[fauxfickle]

It's really weird to think that there was very brief period time when if you were animatronic enthusiast in the 1970s - 1990s, you didn't have to drive out of state for hours just to see a show, you could just go to a shopping plaza or amusement park. Now, in the US if you want to see a real RAE show, you have either BBWL or Volo. Back then, there were CECs and SPPs in nearly every state, some even right next to each other. Imagine doing a bar crawl but with places with animatronics? We were robbed I tell ya!!! /hj

[dailyanimatronics]

[ID: a drawing of one of the udder delights from astroworld's great texas longhorn revue. she's a brown cow with a lighter snout wearing a white and red cowgirl outfit with stars and a simple logo of a longhorn. she has blonde hair in pigtails. she has one hand on her hip by her belt and the other in the air. /end ID]

you wouldn't guess it by this blog (and there are hardly enough cow animatronics anyhow) but my favorite animals are cows!! so when i found out about the great texas longhorn revue from this (link) video i HAD to draw one of them... oh sun bonnets based cow how i love you

[beach-bear-enjoyer]

for @arseniccatnipurrsonal and anyone else who wanted it (under cut)

- captain andy’s river towne

- daniel and the dixie diggers

- circus playhouse

- the man & dog show

- tex critters pizza jamboree

- chirpy band

- the hard luck bears

- the bear country jubilee

- jammin jesters

- electric mouse orchestra

- mac tonight and the rockin chickens

- enchanted forest pirate band

- stew leonard’s

- dandy bear

- the wiz-bangs

- the jungle jamboree

- the forest friends show

- rocky and the ramblin rascals

- the flintstones trio

- ronald mcdonald show

- family album

- the confederate critters

- turtle joe and the undertow

- hot fudge

- gaslight jamboree

- rockin rascals

- creative presentations celebration station

- mad manny and the monkey misfits

- the koala country show

- melody farm follies

- bubba and the badland band

- banjo billy’s

- marc’s funtime pizza palace

- die klimbimski show

- black bear jamboree

- mick jaguar and the sly cats

- the summertime band

- jungle palladium

- cuffy’s beach bottom boys

- john phillip tuba’s

- the great texas longhorn revue

- kool king klaw

- the hot air fantasy

- wildlife trio

- chu lin and the zoo notes

- yeye and the little airplane band

- the pizza planet

- uncle boomer and the happy time music machine

- paul e. parrot

- woodie wood chucks

- dimes n critters

- captains carnival

- rainbow valley bear band

- pizza showtime

- punchy’s hawaiian punch band

i’d like to note that i got almost all of these bands from this iceberg by lesbianlloydgarmadon on pinterest ^_^

[dani-luminae]

TPM Vids: "Six Flags had a Country Bear Jamboree rip-off show!"

Me: "Little harsh to call it a rip-off, Disney doesn't own the idea of 'old Americana animatronic show' -"

The video: *shows the Great Texas Longhorn Revue set in a theater identical to Grizzly Hall"

Me: "Okay yeah no, that's definitely a rip-off"

[reed-fink]

About a year ago I snuck up to the former office suite of Goddard Productions. Early projects such as Monster Plantation and The Great Texas Longhorn Revue were developed right here in this inconspicuous little office building, on Sunset Blvd. I've theorized that one of the benches in the atrium is where Al Bertino was interviewed for a 'making of' video about Monster Plantation. (see photo for ref) I felt sort of dorky for going, but it's certainly interesting, atleast to me, to see where such cool dark rides and shows were dreamt up!

[animatronicappreciation]

Also wanted to share some original concept art I own from The Great Texas Longhorn Revue…Tenderfoot Pete, illustrated by Phil Mendez! thanks for sharing these pictures!!! So cute!! I love this artwork so much ~ Mod Gator

[adgradlife]

Behind the Scenes: Planning Texas Revue

Texas Traditions, the same Campus Events+Entertainment committee that plans Forty Acres Fest, also plans the biggest student-run talent show on campus: Texas Revue! Not only is Texas Revue a UT tradition, it also showcases the diversity on campus and gives organizations the opportunity to win cash prizes. Each spring, over 1,000 students and guests watch some of the most talented longhorns on campus. But, the audience does not get to meet the longhorns who are behind the scenes making sure that every second of the show goes as planned.

Planning and promoting a talent show, from start to finish, takes a lot of time and effort. Kennedy Brookins, logistics officer of Texas Revue and Christine Bunting, traditional publicity officer tell us more about their experience in planning Texas Revue!

When do you start planning for the event and how does the planning process differ from other Texas Traditions events?

“I started planning for Revue last June. I began just by collecting huge and, admittedly, unrealistic ideas for what I wanted it to look like and then once the school year began I started working with our committee on scaling those ideas back and making them possible. Revue is different from our other events because it actually lasts from about February to April, instead of just being one day. It's like a marathon. We have to plan and prepare for auditions in February, get the acts together for an orientation so we're all on the same page, the acts have several forms to complete and deadlines to meet all throughout March, and then in April we begin rehearsals in preparation for the big day. There's a lot that had to happen in order to get us to this point.” -Kennedy Brookins

When do you start planning advertising for Texas Revue and how does this differ from other Texas Traditions events?

“We began developing our advertising materials about seven weeks prior to the event formal. Similar to our other events, we meet with our advertising department and submit an advertising request for social media visuals, handbills, posters, and other promotional items. Advertising sends us a proof and as a committee, we discuss the changes we want to make, send edits, and get final proofs. We have something a little different but still inclusive of our campaign on our selected promotional items—for Revue we always have our own t-shirts. We then order everything to get them here around two weeks before the event to begin advertising.” -Christine Bunting

How is this year’s Texas Revue different from previous years?

“In the past, Texas Revue was more or less a dancing and singing competition which is great in it's own right, but I wanted it to be more this year. Our committee has transformed this event into a showcase that gives a spotlight to several forms of artistry. An art gallery filled with students' work will welcome guests as they enter Hogg, where over 30 pieces of amazing paintings drawings, photographs and more will be displayed. Then, Creative Arts + Theater, one of the other E+E committees, will open the show with a mini-play. Beyond that, our acts this year are very diverse in not only their cultures, but also their chosen talents. It's going to be a much more immersive experience this year.” -Kennedy Brookins

What new methods of advertising are being used this year that haven’t been used in the past? How do you get the performing acts involved in publicizing the event?

“The geofilter on our Rally Day is new, and this year we’ve boosted our event page on Facebook. We’re also doing a countdown to Revue on our event page, where the days leading up we post about a certain act or judge to show people what is in store for the event. The acts table with us and are encouraged to share Texas Revue content from their personal and organization accounts.” -Christine Bunting

The Texas Traditions committee that puts on Texas Revue.

How many acts auditioned and can you explain the process of picking what acts will perform.

“We had about 60 acts audition this year. Deliberation for auditions is always difficult, because art is so subjective. When choosing acts we have to think: is their talent unique? Are they diverse? Are multiple cultures being represented in this lineup? Maybe most importantly, do they have a chance of winning? This is still a competition and we have to make sure that we're not putting an act in the lineup just because it'll look nice. They have to be qualified, I really think all of the 10 acts we chose have a good chance at winning.” -Kennedy Brookins

Can you explain the advertising methods you all use for this event?

“We set up a tabling system where our members and acts can handbill to students. We reserve banner space at the beginning of the year and put those up two weeks prior along with the posters on the kiosks and dorms across campus. Our Social Media Publicity Officer, Nishtha Kapuria, also develops an awesome social media campaign with Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and creates our Facebook event page. We also have the acts and Traditions members change their profile and cover photos on Facebook with blurbs and about the event and encourage them to share our event page and posts in order to make sure it’s active on people’s feeds. Lastly, we have a large day of enthusiastic tabling, Rally Day, the Thursday before our event, where we reserve a space at East Mall, play music, and give out our promo items, t-shirts, for our event. It’s hands down the most fun day to table and we will have a Snapchat geofilter!” -Christine Bunting

What is the most unique method of publicity/advertising you all have used? For the day of the event, what advertising methods are used?

“What we’ve liked this year is the countdown to Revue. It’s an excellent way to stay on feeds not just everyday but sometimes multiple times a day, without being redundant or grating. I personally think the geofilter is a fun way to get our event out there; Snapchat is a popular medium on campus and we’ve been getting a lot of impressions with our filters. Even though we have our banners and posters still up the day of, we don’t try to physically reach students on campus through tabling since it’s a Saturday. We mostly rely on social media to encourage people to come.” -Christine Bunting

What has been the most exciting part about the planning process and/or day of?

“Brainstorming with my committee. I came up with the idea of an Enchanted Forest theme during the summer and, yes, I had my own ideas on how to bring that to life. But when I got to actually sit down with my committee and allow them the space to create whatever kind of show they wanted– that's when the real magic happened.” - Kennedy Brookins

What has been the most exciting part about advertising Texas Revue?

“I love tabling! I like engaging with students and getting to tell them about Revue face-to-face. It’s super rewarding to develop something huge like this and then get to explain it to others and see their excitement to see what we’ve made.” -Christine Bunting

What is your favorite part about Texas Revue?

“It's a tradition that's constantly being re-imagined. Every year gets better in terms of the show itself, the acts and our committee. It's never quite the same and that's beautiful.” -Kennedy Brookins

“Honestly, we have some amazing acts this year, and they’re my favorite part of this whole thing. Putting ten separate groups together in one cohesive function is difficult on it’s own, but would be nothing without the amazing talent these students have! Watching their auditions blew me away, and I’m excited for the audience to feel the way I did seeing them for the first time.” -Christine Bunting

Story by: Teresa Flores-Reyes  

[rafedreams]

Oh hey look more underrated animatronic fanart

[animatronicappreciation]

Found a news excerpt featuring the Great Texas Longhorn Revue at Astroworld!. It’s so neat seeing the animatronics up close. Such a great video!.

~Mod Gator

[animatronicappreciation]

Sending some Great Texas Longhorn Revue love! Concept art of the theater painted by WED artist Collin Campbell…Collin is most recognized for his art on the Haunted Mansion LP I don’t think I’ve seen this concept before! So neat and such a pretty theatre. Thank you for sharing! ~ Mod Gator

[animatronicappreciation]

I Saw what appears to be the only photos of the "Cast" from Texas Longhorn Review on your page. I am Happy to let you know one that isnt there, is in my possession. Gabby! I will be working to restore some missing parts from him, and Reanimating. Once he works again, not sure what ill do with him.... But i will be Grateful he was saved from that graveyard in your photo's.

Oh my goodness, how lucky! I believe I saw a photo of the Gabby animatronic salvaged, but I can’t find it. How wonderful that he has a safe, loving home! I hope that someday Frontier City will give animatronic fans first-grabs at the Revue characters and let the fans take them home and restore them, but for now, one is enough to give me hope!

- Mod Rat

[animatronicappreciation]

Here’s a picture of a recently discovered animatronic show that was at Six Flags Over Texas. I love the looks of these characters!. Unfortunately I don’t think there is too much information on this show besides this one picture. It kind of reminds me a bit of the Great Texas Longhorn Revue, which is another Six Flags animatronic show from Astroworld.

~Mod Gator

[animatronicappreciation]

Hello everyone! I am Mod Gator! One of the new mods who will be monitoring, interacting, and posting about the animatronics we know and love. I’ve been following this account since 2018 and have even submitted a couple posts here as well. My favorite animatronics are The Swamp Boys (gator band from Splash Mountain) they are the sole reason I love animatronics. Those three gators mean so much to me and they made a big impact on my life. I also enjoy obscure animatronic shows like Circus Playhouse, Tex Critters, And the Great Texas Longhorn Revue to name a few. I really enjoy hearing your stories and seeing new content from you all. My hope is to inform the world about how wonderful animatronics really are. My tumblr is @countrygators if you would like to contact me.

~ Mod Gator

[animatronicappreciation]

what are some really underappreciated animatronics you think should get more love?

For me, The Swamp Boys absolutely!. They’re just irresistible! It’s really a shame they don’t get as much recognition considering how popular of a ride Splash Mountain is. I’m sad that the only merchandise of them so far is only two pins (one from America Sings which is probably discontinued and the other from a mystery pin set). I’m hoping they get more love and recognition soon. They are really quite special.

Anyways as far as animatronic shows go, I’d say both Captain Andy’s Rivertowne and The Great Texas Longhorn Revue. I really haven’t seen a whole lot of footage of either attraction. The animatronics on those shows are pretty fluid and cute!. They definitely have some disney style to them. Some Disney imagineers were involved in both shows from what I’ve heard. As a matter in fact, Bob Gurr (Disney legend and former imagineer) created Captain Andy’s.

~ Mod Gator

[animatronicappreciation]

If anything, the remains of The Great Texas Longhorn Revue is a good source to understand multiple character designs and the basic foundation of animatronic constructions. I wish I had this kind of references martial back in the 1960's/1970's and the 1980's. By the way, great post.

Very true. Might as well look on the bright side.

- Mod Rat