Mickey Gilley

Acting

Mickey Gilley

Born 1936-03-09 · Natchez, Mississippi, USA

Country western star Mickey Gilley was born on March 9, 1936 in Natchez, Mississippi, the cousin of future rockabilly legend Jerry Lee Lewis and disgraced televangelist Jimmy Swaggart, and raised in Ferriday, Louisiana. In their childhood, all three would play the piano when they got together and sing gospel and boogie-woogie songs. After Lewis became a chart-topper in the 1950s, Mickey turned professional himself and cut some singles before becoming a session player in the Big Easy. First married at age 17, Gilley had a minor hit, "Call Me Shorty", in 1958, but it would be years before he came out from under Jerry lee's shadow and established himself as a star. He didn't release his first album, "Down the Line", until 1967. The album yielded a minor hit, "Now I Can Live Again". Three years later, he became a nightclub owner when he opened Gilley's Club in Pasadena, Texas in 1971. The club, billed as the "world's biggest honky tonk", became famous when it was used as the setting for Urban Cowboy (1980), which boosted Gilley's national exposure. By the 1980s, Gilley was experiencing crossover success when he mellowed his C+W with a more pop orientation. He managed to put songs on the charts in each of 15 years, enjoying 17 #1 country hits. Gilley and partner Sherwood Cryer had a falling out after Cryer became increasingly hostile about changes made to the club. Gilley eventually had to sue Cryer over their "50-50" deal, which Gilley argued favored Cryer much more heavily. Gilley won $17 million from Cryer, but it completely shattered their relationship and forced the closing of the club in 1989. Gilley opened another club in Dallas under the same name in 2006. There's a Gilley's in Las Vegas, and the town of LaPorte, Texas, approved a new Gilley's, not far from the original.

Acting credits

Urban Cowboy poster
6.5

After moving to Pasadena, Texas, country boy Bud Davis starts hanging around a bar called Gilley's, where he falls in love with Sissy, a cowgirl who believes the sexes are equal. They eventually marry, but their relationship is turbulent due to Bud's traditional view of gender roles. Jealousy over his rival leads to their separation, but Bud attempts to win Sissy back by triumphing at Gilley's mechanical bull-riding competition.

Urban Cowboy

1980

Night of 100 Stars III poster
4.3

A celebrity benefit for The Actors' Fund of America, featuring music, songs, dance and comedy.

Night of 100 Stars III

1990

Gordy poster
5.4

A talking pig named Gordy becomes involved in a quest to save his family from the slaughterhouse.

Gordy

1995

Off the Wall poster
3.5

Two young hitchhikers are picked up a speed-crazed young woman, who tears around the countryside. She leaves them to take the blame for her activities, and they find themselves sentenced to six months in prison. The girl, feeling bad about what she did to them, resolves to break them out of the prison

Off the Wall

1983

Urban Cowboy: The Rise and Fall of Gilley's poster
7.8

A chronicle of the cultural phenomenon sparked by the 1980 film Urban Cowboy and its inspiration, Gilley's.

Urban Cowboy: The Rise and Fall of Gilley's

2015

It's Branson! poster
NR

Nestled in the beautiful hills of the Ozark Mountains, far away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities, lies a place of great beauty and splendor... a place you'll never forget. It's Branson, Missouri and you're going to see it all! Enjoy Branson's greatest sights - amazing Marvel Cave, popular Silver Dollar City, the Branson Scenic Railway, beautiful Dogwood Canyon, historic Shepherd of the Hills Homestead, magnificent Inspiration Tower, picturesque Lake Taneycomo, the unforgettable showboat Branson Belle - and more! And you'll thrill to performances by Branson's greatest starts, including Andy Williams, Boxcar Willie, Mickey Gilley, Jim Stafford, The Lennon Sisters, The Osmond Brothers, Roy Clark, Ray Stephens, The Baldknobbers, Glenn Campbell, and more! So sit back, relax and get ready to enjoy the sights and the stars of America's favorite entertainment destination... It's Branson!

It's Branson!

1999

Jerry Lee Lewis: I Am What I Am poster
NR

This unique rockumentary features classic performances and Jerry Lee's biggest hits.

Jerry Lee Lewis: I Am What I Am

1987

Jerry Lee Lewis 25th anniversary concert poster
NR

Jerry Lee Lewis 25th anniversary concert featuring Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson

Jerry Lee Lewis 25th anniversary concert

1982

Country Anthology Classics Volume 2 poster
NR

A compilation of live performances from various country artists, recorded in different venues during the late 20th century. Features a range of classic country hits from well-known performers.

Country Anthology Classics Volume 2

2004

Mickey Gilley: In Concert poster
NR

An intimate evening with country legend Mickey Gilley recorded in 2004 at The Mickey Gilley Theater in Branson MO. The concert was professionally shot using multi-camera digital video with awesome surround sound audio, In Concert also features an interview with the legend himself. For over four decades, Mickey Gilley has been entertaining millions of music fans worldwide with his impeccable voice and captivating stage presence. The original urban cowboy, Gilley struck gold with a number of smash hit singles throughout the 70s and 80s such as Room Full Of Roses, I Overlooked An Orchid, True Love Ways, A Headache Tomorrow (Or A Heartache Tonight and many more. After opening his own theater in Branson MO, Gilley has welcomed thousands of guests to a spectacular concert experiences featuring all of his best songs. In Concert is your ticket to the greatest, good time, old fashioned country show this side of the Mississippi!

Mickey Gilley: In Concert

2005

Time-Life: Country Legends Live, Vol. 1 poster
8.0

Music City News was founded in 1963, by country music singer Faron Young. In 1967, the publication began to confer annual awards; in 1978, it began televising them, with the inclusion of artist performances. These awards were not decided by a secretive, politically motivated committee or by an "association," but by fan nominations. Each installment of the Country Legends Live series highlights performances from particular annual awards shows. Country Legends Live, Vol. 1 offers a "best of" the 1978 and 1979 Music City News Awards Shows. Featured artists in this installment include Mel Tillis, Tom T. Hall, Jim Ed Brown & Helen Cornelius, Archie Campbell, The Kendalls, The Statler Brothers, The Gatlin Brothers, Barbara Mandrell, Moe Bandy & Joe Stampley, Mickey Gilley, Loretta Lynn, Eddie Rabbitt, Conway Twitty, Jerry Clower, and Dave & Sugar.

Time-Life: Country Legends Live, Vol. 1

2005

A Christmas Card from Branson poster
NR

Have yourself a merry little Christmas with some of your favorite country music stars from Branson, Missouri.

A Christmas Card from Branson

1996