Limited series in development on country music icon Mickey Gilley and the rise and fall of its world-famous nightclub.
In what was called “the Studio54 of the West,” Gilley’s Club was a football-field-sized dance hall in the refinery town of Pasadena, Texas, the center of the universe. cowboys in 1978. With a capacity of 6,000, the largest honky-tonk on the planet was frequented by an assortment of patrons ranging from oilfield thugs to movie stars. It was the place to see and be seen until it all ended with accusations, threats and a suspicious fire that would leave the club in ashes.
Due to Mickey Gilley’s musical talent and prowess as a showman, he was recognized by many as the man who changed country music forever by introducing the world to the cultural phenomenon “Urban Cowboy” that made it cool being a cowboy. Music legends such as Willie Nelson, George Jones, Waylon Jennings, Charlie Daniels, George Strait, Johnny Lee, Fats Domino, Charley Pride, Loretta Lynn, Roseanne Cash, Ernest Tubb and Emmylou Harris have all made appearances at Gilley’s.
In a biographical drama “Walk the Line” meets “Bohemian Rhapsody,” this series will tell the true behind-the-scenes story of Mickey’s career and Gilley’s rise and fall from the late 1970s to 1990s. will detail how Mickey, a struggling country music singer/songwriter teamed up with local club owner Sherwood Cryer in a ramshackle dance hall where local blue-collar workers, billionaire oil tycoons, cattle barons and some of the the hottest names in music have all blended together.
Imprint Entertainment’s Michael Becker and JCProds’ Joel Carpenter have been given the exclusive option of lifetime rights and will serve as executive producers. Other executive producers include Mickey Gilley with William Morrow writer HarperCollins, Taylor Moore (Down Range and Firestorm), and Zach Farnum as associate producer. Philip Levens (“Smallville,” “Ascension”) will serve as executive producer, writer/showrunner.
About Mickey Gilley
Country music artist Mickey Gilley has wowed fans with his haunting sound of Louisiana rhythm and blues since 1957. The Mississippi native grew up with his two famous cousins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Jimmy Swaggart, surrounded by the influence music. Gilley made her chart-topping debut with her song “Is It Wrong For Loving You,” and had a total of 39 Top 10 hits, 17 of which reached No. 1. After moving to Pasadena, Texas, in 1971, he opened his famous honky-tonk nightclub, Gilley’s. In 1980 he appeared in the movie “Urban Cowboy” alongside John Travolta, Debra Winger and Johnny Lee, and went on to star in many popular TV series including “Murder She Wrote”, “The Fall Guy”, ” Fantasy Island” and “Dukes of Hazzard.” He has won numerous accolades, including six ACM Awards, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame. Now 80, Gilley is currently on the Urban Cowboy Reunion Tour with Johnny Lee, playing more than 40 dates across the United States in 2019. Follow Mickey on Facebook, Twitter, or visit his website at gilleys .com.
