Well. it was technically the 41st since it was postponed due to Covid in 2020. Nonetheless, Micky Gilly and Johnny Lee took the stage once again, on the anniversary of the iconic film, Urban Cowboy.
They stopped in Kerrville, TX at the Cailloux Theatre back in June, and my mom, Grandee, and I got to hear some hit songs. Johnny Lee opened the night and rode out on a red scooter before being seated in a chair for the majority of his set.
At intermission, my mom and I snuck around the back of the theatre and got his autograph and took some pictures by their busses. We also got to meet some of the band members.
The second set featured Mickey Gilley. He was quite the character and told a number of stories from his time in the music industry. Including how his least favorite song he had ever written (one of his firsts) ended up in a commercial, and how he lost the ability to play piano due to a freak accident when he was helping move a loveseat. He broke his back and was paralyzed, many thought he would never walk again. He is now up and mobile, but his hands are still paralyzed to the point where he will never play the piano again.
He still has his spunk in him though and e found a piano player to fill in for him. During the show, you could see Mickey miming the piano trills and chords with his right hand.
He closed out the night with some of his top songs including, "Here Comes the Rain Again," and "Stand By Me."
After the show, we went around the back of the theatre again and had Mickey Gilley sign the records that we had. One was an old solo album of his and the other was the official Urban Cowboy Soundtrack. After talking to him for a little bit, he invited us onto his bus and talked about his life and how he got to be where he is today. He took off his white sparkly jacket and was a really down-to-earth guy. He wished me luck in all my musical endeavors and I left him my card. It was a really cool experience.
His bus had pictures of him and John Travolta and an official Urban Cowboy Tour sign that said, "I can't die, I'm booked."
So, go for the adventure, stay for the music, and never forget to dillydally. You never know who you may meet!
-Amber
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