Richard Sherman on the Disney Dream

I just returned from my awesome trip on the Disney Dream with WDW Radio Host Lou Mongello and friends on the WDW Radio Cruise 2.0 presented by MEI MouseFan Travel. I will have a full trip report but this one will be a bit different because I want to do a few Inspiration articles and of course, Table Manners dining reviews. Stay tuned!

I booked the WDW Radio Cruise 2.0 the first day it was announced even before the special guest was announced. My husband, Jason, and I totally geeked out when they announced that Richard Sherman of the legendary Sherman Brothers would be cruising with us! Although we did not get a chance to meet him, we were privy to an awesome concert where he performed his songs and told the stories behind them. Hold on to your hats, folks, this one is a big tear jerker!

I was unhappy when they announced that no video or flash photography would be allowed in the theater. I had planned to record the entire performance and upload it to my YouTube channel but you are going to have to just take my word for it - this was my 3rd favorite Disney Memory (#1 being my Disney Fairytale Wedding and #2 when Jason proposed to me on Peter Pan's Flight).

The first day on the ship I was on the lookout for Mr. Sherman hoping to be able to shake his hand and say Thank You. I was very happy to see that he was in the same lifeboat and safety drill group as me and I'm sorry but I did not pay any attention to the drill. I was too busy staring at him from across the Walt Disney Theater. When he exited the theater, I quickly walked over to where he was. I didn't want to go running up to him because I am very respectful so I hung back and just watched him talking with a small group. I caught up with Lou and asked him if I could take a picture and he said that Mr. Sherman was tired and wanted to go back to his stateroom. I completely understood and I did not want to bother him. Thankfully, my friend Erica and her Mom had the bright idea to take a photo anyway because he was standing right behind me!

Photo by Erica Dekker, Captions by Shelley Benhoff

Right before the doors to his elevator closed, Mr. Sherman and I locked eyes and he smiled at me. I got all teary so I think it was a good thing I didn't get to talk to him. I would have blubbered and made a complete fool of myself!

Okay now on to the concert! MEI MouseFan Travel set up a really sweet event and our group had the Walt Disney Theater all to ourselves for 2 hours! I came prepared with tissues and boy did I need them. The minute Mr. Sherman walked out onto the stage I began crying and I did not stop until he left.

Photo by Katie McNamara

He referenced the empty chair as a placeholder for his dearly departed brother, Robert Sherman. I highly recommend the documentary, The Boys, which is a look into the relationship of these legendary brothers. He sang all of his hits from Mary Poppins, Jungle Book, Winnie the Pooh, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, You're 16, Tall Paul, and Bedknobs and Broomsticks.

It was very moving to see such a simple and intimate performance. It just goes to show you that pure talent eclipses all the glitz and glamour of over the  top shows with special effects. All you need is a performer, an empty stage, a piano, microphone, and spotlight. I cried a lot when he sang Feed the Birds and The Age of Not Believing. He told a story behind the Age of Not Believing that this song was inspired by Walt's death. He said that they didn't know what to do when Walt died and they had to start believing in themselves and the training that Walt provided. It was a very difficult time for everyone in the company but they all came together and kept moving forward. I heard that song many times on the ship and I teared up every time. I cannot hear that song now without thinking about that story.

Photo by Katie McNamara

When he spoke of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang I did not realize that this was not a Disney movie. Someone contacted Walt to see if he would work with them on this movie because they really wanted the Sherman Brothers to compose the music. Although Walt did not have the time to work on the movie, he told Richard and Robert to go ahead and do it because it would be good for their career. At this point, Richard looked up to the sky and said "Thank you, Walt." I was completely sobbing by this point!

If I wasn't crying enough already, Mr. Sherman moved on to the music he and his brother composed for the Disney Parks. He sang There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow, The Tiki Room, and It's a Small World to name a few. I have never cried at It's a Small World before (well tears of happiness anyway) but the way he performed it was beautiful. He had originally intended it to be a slow ballad but Walt wanted it to be fast and energetic.

Photo by Katie McNamara

He showed a few clips from his career including the famous one of the Sherman Brothers with Walt Disney singing There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow. He told a really funny story about how Walt never said to him directly that he was doing a good job. He was stunned when Walt said that the Sherman Brothers made wonderful music in the video clip because he would never say it to your face. He would just look at you, nod, and say "That will work." Those were Walt's magic words and when you heard that you knew he was pleased. Walt did not want his employees to get too comfortable or have too big of an ego because then they would never reach their full potential.

Over the course of the performance, the audience gave Mr. Sherman 3 standing ovations. He was so humble, it was amazing to see a man who has won Oscars for his music telling us to sit down! Lou Mongello said that after the performance Mr. Sherman asked if he did okay!? That is the kind of man he is, never basking in the glow of his own talent. He is a very kind soul and I learned a lot from him. He had a very humble beginning and it just goes to show you that when you put your heart and soul into your work then you make it spectacular.

I left the theater feeling very quiet on the inside and definitely in need of a drink. On my road to self improvement, I will always think of this performance and how humble Mr. Sherman was and that he thanked everyone who influenced him during his career. No one goes through life alone, it is the people that support you that help you achieve success.