Country Music Legends Mickey Gilley and Johnny Lee Returned to Ameristar Casino in Kansas City on November 13, 2021
After a few postponements due to the pandemic, the Urban Cowboys finally rode again into Ameristar Casino in Kansas City. Legendary country and pop music crossover artists Mickey Gilley and Johnny Lee returned to the coveted Star Pavilion stage on November 13, 2021 with their reunion show celebrating their hits and the soundtrack to that early-’80s John Travolta film set at Gilley’s nightclub in Pasadena, TX. Every time is a blessing and honor to witness two of the genres most beloved names come together.
With backing from the Urban Cowboy band, the show generally features three separate sets—Johnny Lee opens followed by Mickey Gilley and then a joint performance of songs from the movie. However, this time it was rearranged and did not include the combined set. You would never know of Lee’s struggles with Parkinson’s as he sings, fans still got the icon’s best that they have loved for so many years. He opened up the night with an amazing rendition of “Please Come Home for Christmas” and wowed everyone with those ’80s hits, such as “One in a Million,” “Pickin’ Up Strangers” “Cherokee Fiddle” and “Hey Bartender.” Gilley’s always dazzling set included his hits from the decade too like “You Don’t Know Me,” “Paradise Tonight,” “True Love Ways” and “Candy Man.”
The “Urban Cowboy” show attracts country music lovers of all generations each and every time at Star Pavilion, a node that proves just how monumental of a legacy that Mickey Gilley and Johnny Lee have created since 1957 and 1976 respectively. A young mid-20s fan even stuck around after the show by the curtain in hopes of meeting Gilley and taking a picture with him, which he indeed did. Every one of their shows tugs at the heartstrings and is just cherished moment, they always leave us yearning for more. Check out photos from the last time that they graced us with their presence at Ameristar on July 13, 2018 and July 12, 2019.
