SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1033

WHEREAS, A musical pioneer who built his career in the Lone Star State, Mickey Gilley has established himself as a hugely popular artist whose talent and vision helped redefine the field of country music; and

WHEREAS, Born in Natchez, Mississippi, on March 9, 1936, Mr. Gilley grew up in nearby Ferriday, Louisiana; he learned to play piano at an early age and got an education in rhythm and blues by secretly listening at the windows of clubs; after his cousin Jerry Lee Lewis found fame, he grew serious about pursuing a career in music, and while working construction jobs in Houston, he began performing on local stages and recorded a number of regional hits on independent labels; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Gilley broke through on the national level in 1968 with the single "Now I Can Live Again"; his star rose even higher in the 1970s, with the opening of Gilley's Club in Pasadena and a phenomenal string of country smashes that included "Room Full of Roses," "I Overlooked an Orchid," and "Don't the Girls All Get Prettier at Closing Time"; Esquire magazine ran a prominent feature on his club that became the basis for the blockbuster 1980 motion picture Urban Cowboy; the film created a vast new audience for country music, and it made Mr. Gilley a superstar as a result of his cameo role and the popularity of the platinum single "Stand By Me" from the soundtrack album; and

WHEREAS, One of the most successful country artists of the 1980s, Mr. Gilley ruled the charts with a new, more pop-oriented sound; he scored nine number one singles, among them "You Don't Know Me," "Talk to Me," and "That's All That Matters"; eventually, Gilley's Club ran its course, but he seized another business opportunity and opened one of the first star-themed venues in Branson, Missouri; the Mickey Gilley Theatre marked its 20th anniversary in 2010; and

WHEREAS, This dynamic Texan has received many accolades through the years; he has won Academy of Country Music Awards in numerous categories, captured the prestigious Entertainer of the Year title, and was inducted into the Delta Music Museum Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, During his decades in the music industry, Mickey Gilley has not only created a treasure trove of extraordinary country songs, he has also furthered the Lone Star State's reputation as a center for great music and talented performers, and it is an honor for the members of this chamber to welcome him to the State Capitol; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd Legislature, hereby congratulate Mickey Gilley on his long and successful career in country music and extend to him sincere best wishes for an enjoyable visit to Austin; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for Mr. Gilley as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.

Jackson

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 17, 2011.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate