For the 11th annual Texas Legends Gala, the Galleria Chamber of Commerce saluted country western icon Mickey Gilley and in his honor filled the ballroom of the Omni Houston Hotel with more than 350 fans and hundreds of yellow roses.
He signed books, Unconquered: The Saga of Cousins Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart and Mickey Gilley, posed for photos and crooned a few of his most familiar tunes. The audience, many in Urban Cowboy-themed attire, sang along to “You Don’t Know Me,” “Stand By Me,” “Solitary Man” and Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline."
Gala chairs Kim Padgett and Vicki Garcia-Lehner joined emcee Dave Ward in the spotlight along with Mayor Johnny Isbell of Pasadena (home of the famed Gilley's club). He proclaimed it Mickey Gilley Day in both Houston and Pasadena. Donna and Tony Vallone stepped in as honorary chairs of the evening that raised funds for scholarships.
The surprise of the night came with the presentation of a giant-sized piano cake (from For Heavens Cake) as a tribute to the star's recent 77th birthday.
Joining in the best wishes were politicos Harris County Commissioner “Cactus" Jack Cagle, Johnny Isbell's chief of staff Richard Scott, Houston City Council Members Helena Brown and Jack Christie and Harris County Clerk Stan Stanart.
Spotted swaying to the Gilley tunes were chamber board members Arthur Mooradian, Brett Binkley, Fred Stumpf, Lee and Corrine Vela, Mary Grace Gray, JD Busch and Gabriele Merrill. Also, tapping their toes were Sidney Evans, Bob Allen, Bruce Padilla, Edward Sanchez, Sonia Soto, Miya Shay, Catarina Cron, Roland Maldonado, Sue Habib, Tracy Orolin and her steady Harry Faulkner.
Chairs Kim Padgett, left, and Vicki Garcia Lehner flank honoree Mickey Gilley at the Galleria Chamber of Commerce Texas Legends gala.
