[WildeysHere]

I know there was a show with the talking bears in one of the halls but this one was all by itself out in the park near the Skytower. I seem to recall it sang, "Dixieland" or something like that. Does this sound correct or am I imagining things? Thinking it was removed in the early 80's.

[formeryogi]

He was dressed up as a riverboat captain-- to the right of the Carolina Sternwheeler. He was in a "wheelhouse" shelter. He sang "Carolina in the Morning." I don't remember him singing "Dixieland."

[tarheel1231]

It'd be great if they could bring him back as part of the 50th anniversary like KD did with the singing mushrooms two years ago. It's the little things that count when it comes to bringing charm back into the park.

[WildeysHere]

Ok great that definitely refreshes my memory now, thanks for sharing that info formeryogi!

[sccoasterbear]

Think his name was Buddy

[pproteinc]

I remember it... I use to get him confused with Billy Bob from the animatronic Rock A Fire Band at the Showbizz Pizza place now known as Chuck E Cheese.

[kirkgun]

I was so sad when Shobizz disappeared and that loser Chuck E took over.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGWJbcTvL_M

[pproteinc]

^ Yea I was upset too. The Rock A Fire Explosion band I think is way better that Munch's Make Believe band. ROF sang real music and Rolf and Earl's skits were very funny as as well when the members would talk about each other. Beach Bear Mitzi and Fatz were my favorites.

[super7]

I'm pretty sure it was Cap'n Buddy and he was dressed like a ship captain. I remember him singing "Carolina in the Morning." That of course, back when the park had real Carolina theming! One of the many little touches back then that made the park special.

[Surf84]

His name was Captain Buddy! He would sleep in his wheel house, wake up and say, "Oh,howdy folks. Why, I didn't see you standing there". He would then start telling tales of piloting the "Carolina" and then sing and go back to sleep. I'm fairly sure that he had a middle initial and the last name of "Bear".

[shane235]

Maybe for Carowinds' 50th Anniversary (2023), or anytime sooner, they could add Cap'n Buddy. It could kinda be like Carowinds' version of the Singing Mushrooms from Kings Dominion!

[tarheel1231]

^ You copycat.

I don't see any reason they can't bring back Captain Buddy. They "brought back" Harmony Hall and that was a Multi-million dollar facility. I imagine this would be an investment around the size of the sleeping giant in the showplace. While they're at it, they could even build a Riverboat restaurant where Nighthawk is.


Aaaand I've turned this thread into a wishlist.

[WildeysHere]

I wonder if Buddy still exists somewhere or if he's in a landfill : (

[formeryogi]

Carowinds didn't know what to do with the Carolina Sternwheeler. In the old days, when it was a true theme park, it totally fit. There would even be a small jazz band playing on board. By the time Smurf Island came into being, the Carolina remained at the dock most of the time so guests could walk across it to Smurf Island. I'm sure ridership numbers were basically nothing.

There was one summer (early 80's??) when Live Shows staffers created a magical moment on the Carolina. The performers, technicians, and others from the Live Shows department spent their off time dreaming up how they would use the Carolina in a live show. Management gave permission to the group to do whatever they wanted. Over the summer, the live shows people spent their early mornings and evenings picking songs, arranging music scores, creating dance steps, sewing costumes and rigging up sound equipment. Again, this was all on their own time. Then one evening, after doing their regular shows, the live shows personnel staged their own show on the Carolina. Chairs for the audience were set up on the dock. The Carolina paddled its way around the circle and as it approached the dock, music started blaring and the performers were literally hanging off the sides of the boat singing their hearts out. Once it came to a stop, the performers danced on the docks and used each level of the ship as their stage. Suddenly, it was not Carowinds, it was Disneyland.