Mickey Gilley returns to links, theater

Mickey Gilley prepares to tee off at Thousand Hills Golf Course on Thursday.

By Joshua Clark

Entertainment Editor

Originally published April 3, 2010



In addition to celebrating its 15th anniversary, Thousand Hills Golf Course welcomed Mickey Gilley back to Branson on Thursday, as the entertainer hit a ceremonial tee shot to commemorate the occasion.



“We are so excited and honored to have Gilley here,” said Dan Davis, PGA professional at Thousand Hills. “Branson is such a cool town and this is such a cool golf course, but it’s so much cooler with Gilley around.”



Since falling last July, Gilley has been working around the clock in rehab to regain his strength for not only a return to the course, but to the stage.



As he pulled into the parking lot, Gilley, an avid golfer, gave a smile and a thumbs up to everyone waiting to welcome him home. He walked from the golf cart to the tee box, unassisted, before teeing up for the shot. The ball headed straight into the creek below the first tee box.



“That’s not the first time I’ve ever been in that creek,” he said with a laugh.



When asked about his injury and rehab, Gilley said, “Without a doubt it was the toughest eight months of my life. It’s so good just to be here.”



After his seven-month stay in Texas, Gilley has returned to Branson to begin rehearsals for his 2010 show.



“The rehearsals have been going very well,” said Jay Brandon, horn player in Gilley’s Urban Cowboy Band. “His attitude and everything he brought is so upbeat and positive. It’s just great.”



Despite not being back at 100 percent, Gilley flashed his trademark sense of humor.



“My body may not be working right, but my mouth is just fine.”



Opening night for the 2010 season is April 12 at the Mickey Gilley Theatre.



“After seven-and-a-half months of being out of action, I’m very happy to be back,” Gilley said. “We have a lot of new material in the show, and I’ll try and do as many of the No. 1 songs I’ve had in the past. I can’t play the piano yet, but hopefully before the season’s over I will.”