Tennessee O'Neal

PERFORMER	Julianne Buescher puppeteer
	Jodi St. Michael suit performer
	Toby Huss voice
	Don Henley singing voice
DEBUT	2002

O'Neal showing off his "One String Thang" at a press conference.

Tennessee O'Neal is a character from the 2002 film The Country Bears.

He played one-string slide guitar for the titular band, with his signature instrument being nicknamed the "One String Thang". He was also in a romantic relationship with former bandmate Trixie St. Claire, which she later ended in order to date a wealthy panda realtor, emotionally devastating Tennessee to the point where even thinking of her causes him to breakdown into tears. Later on, he encounters Trixie at the motel where she sings at and reconnects with her by performing a duet together, subsequently rekindling their relationship.

Following the band's breakup, he found work as a marriage counselor, but is shown to scare away two of his clients following another emotional breakdown. Although he does agree to rejoin the band for their upcoming benefit concert, he expresses doubts about being able to perform without Trixie, as well as doubts that no one would even attend the show at all due to a lack of interest in the group.

In a 2007 interview, puppeteer Julianne Buescher stated that Tennessee was her most favorite character that she has performed:

“The one I always think of first is Tennessee...that bear had a beautifully built head (by John Criswell) and his emotional range was a challenge. It was also incredible to watch him sing his ballad (which was cut short in the film), and his "rocker snarl" was sweet!”