 
For the Bi-Centennial
celebration of 1976, Disney Imagineers created a new attraction in
the revolving theatre, which once housed
The Carousel of Progress.
This new attraction was to be known as America Sings. Opened
in 1974, Marc Davis created the characters, as well as wrote the
script with Disney veteran Al Bertino (the two also created the
Country Bear Jamboree together). Sam the Eagle (voice of
the late Burl Ives), along with his unnamed owl friend, (rumored to
be named "Ollie", with the voice of Sam Edwards ) narrated the
history of music, from the swamps to the cities, from jazz to rock
and roll. This was one of the most complex audio animatronic shows
Disney had attempted up to this point. The upper area of the
theater became home to the Tron Superspeed Tunnel, and later office
space.
This delightful show remained in the park until it was closed
in 1988 and the characters were incorporated into
Splash Mountain.
The theater sat empty for several years, and was primarily used as a
cast member meeting area, offices and storage.
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