When The Walt Disney Company sets out to reinterpret its musical legacy, it rarely does things by halves. But with the arrival of ‘Main Street Country,' the studio is doing something particularly inspired—pairing its timeless catalogue with one of music’s most emotionally driven genres. Out today via Walt Disney Records, the five-track EP brings together a carefully curated lineup of modern country stars to breathe new life into some of Disney’s most beloved songs, proving that the link between country music and classic storytelling runs deeper than ever.
Following the success of the pop-punk reimagining ‘A Whole New Sound,' this latest release leans into something more organic and heartfelt. Country music, after all, has always thrived on narrative, nostalgia, and emotional truth—qualities that have defined Disney soundtracks for generations. The result is a project that feels less like a novelty and more like a natural evolution, where fairy tales meet front porches, and animated classics are reframed through lived-in voices and real-world emotion.
At the centre of the EP is a duet that feels almost destined to exist. Kane Brown and Katelyn Brown take on ‘Beauty and the Beast,' turning the Oscar-winning ballad into something deeply personal. For the couple, the connection to Disney goes far beyond the studio. “Our whole family is captivated by the magic of Disney and we go every year for our daughter Kingsley’s birthday,” Kane shares, grounding the performance in real-life experience. Katelyn adds, “It truly is a dream come true for Kane and I to sing ‘Beauty & The Beast’ together and to be part of such an amazing legacy.” That sense of legacy—of stepping into something bigger than themselves—runs throughout the entire project.
Elsewhere, Restless Road take on ‘The Climb,' originally made famous by Miley Cyrus. Their version leans heavily into harmony and sincerity, transforming the song into a classic country anthem about perseverance. “Being part of Main Street Country feels like stepping into a story we grew up believing in,” the trio explain, highlighting how Disney’s themes of hope and resilience mirror the very foundations of country songwriting. It’s a full-circle moment—artists raised on these songs now reshaping them for a new generation.
That generational thread continues with Dasha, who brings a fiery, self-assured energy to ‘She’s So Gone' from Lemonade Mouth. For her, the track represents more than nostalgia—it’s about identity. “I remember watching Lemonade Mouth for the first time and plotting how I was going to reinvent myself before school the next day,” she recalls. Her version leans into that same spirit of reinvention, reframing the song as a modern country empowerment anthem that still carries the fearless attitude of its original.
Few songs in the Disney canon carry the emotional weight of ‘You’ll Be in My Heart,' and Maddie & Tae approach it with the reverence it deserves. Originally performed by Phil Collins for Tarzan, the track becomes something softer, warmer, and unmistakably country in their hands. But there’s an added layer of poignancy here—this marks one of the duo’s final releases together. “It feels like we’re honoring the little girls we were, and the magical journey we’ve been on together,” they share, giving the performance an emotional depth that extends beyond the song itself.
Closing out the EP, BRELAND takes on “Go the Distance” from Hercules, a song that has always resonated with themes of purpose and belonging. His version blends country, gospel, and soul influences, nodding to both his upbringing and the song’s original spirit. “I grew up a bona fide Disney kid,” he says, “and as the child of two gospel singers, the Hercules soundtrack always really spoke to me.” Recording the track with a live string section, he describes the experience as “one of the most special things I’ve done as an artist”—a testament to the enduring emotional power of Disney’s music.
A Natural Collaboration of Storytelling Traditions
What makes Main Street Country more than just another covers project is the shared DNA between its two worlds. Disney has always been built on storytelling—on characters, journeys, and emotional arcs that resonate across generations. Country music, in its purest form, does exactly the same. By bringing these traditions together, the EP doesn’t just revisit familiar songs; it reframes them in a way that feels grounded, human, and immediate.
Even the imagery leans into that idea. The cover art places Mickey Mouse and his iconic companions—Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy—into a country setting, reinforcing the sense that this isn’t a departure, but an expansion of Disney’s cultural universe. From early western-themed shorts to modern park experiences, Disney has long flirted with Americana aesthetics. Main Street Country simply brings that connection into sharper musical focus.
Track List: Main Street Country
“Beauty and the Beast” (from Beauty and the Beast) – Kane Brown and Katelyn Brown
“The Climb” (from Hannah Montana: The Movie) – Restless Road
“She’s So Gone” (from Lemonade Mouth) – Dasha
“You’ll Be in My Heart” (from Tarzan) – Maddie & Tae
“Go the Distance” (from Hercules) – BRELAND
In many ways, Main Street Country feels like a bridge—between generations, between genres, and between the imagined worlds of Disney and the lived experiences that country music so often reflects. For the artists involved, it’s a chance to give back to something that shaped them. For listeners, it’s an invitation to hear these songs again—not as distant memories, but as stories that still have something to say.
