Urban Cowboy
I was an extra in the movie Urban Cowboy. Read my behind the scenes look. See pictures and memorabilia. Read about Circle 8 Rodeo and Huntsville Prison Rodeo filming locations and other Houston locals that were extras in the Urban Cowboy movie.
Movie Star For A Moment
Well yes, for a second or two.
When production for the movie Urban Cowboy came to the Houston area, word got around and next thing you know, there I was. At first I thought it was going to be a movie about Rodeo. It was in the Urban Cowboy way. The movie follows the everyday life of a man named Bud, played by John Travolta, while he tries to become champion in a mechanical bull riding contest held inside of a Texas dance hall.
I signed up as an extra and did make it to the the big screen. My grandfather and some other rodeo friends are also seen in the movie.
( Photo - clip from the movie Urban Cowboy) Me walking in front of John Travolta.
Personal Photos throughout this article
When production for the movie Urban Cowboy came to the Houston area, word got around and next thing you know, there I was. At first I thought it was going to be a movie about Rodeo. It was in the Urban Cowboy way. The movie follows the everyday life of a man named Bud, played by John Travolta, while he tries to become champion in a mechanical bull riding contest held inside of a Texas dance hall.
I signed up as an extra and did make it to the the big screen. My grandfather and some other rodeo friends are also seen in the movie.
( Photo - clip from the movie Urban Cowboy) Me walking in front of John Travolta.
Personal Photos throughout this article
Filming Urban Cowboy At Gilley's Night Club
Gilley's Night Club in Pasadena, Texas, on the outskirts of Houston, was the setting for many scenes. This is where I got my chance to be in the movie. I say chance because I feel lucky that my part didn't end up on the cutting room floor. That's what happened to my friend who took two weeks of vacation. She showed up there daily and went through the motions as an extra but was not shown in the movie.
She told me about what she had been doing and suggested that I go. I didn't have much time available to take off work but my boss gave me a day. When we arrived at Gilley's, she got me pointed in the right direction to get signed in. Since she had been there previously, she needed to go to her assigned spot and I was on my own.
At registration, I was assigned an area to go sit and wait until I was needed. I have no idea as to their methods for this, but suppose it was a way of sorting people for different scenes . At 19 years old and knowing that John Travolta was in the room, I had a nervous giggly girl feeling. I made friends with a woman sitting next to me who talked like she knew what she was doing, so I listened to her advice. When they called us to get in position, she said "stick with me kid, I'll make you a star". Sure enough, I later saw her in several different scenes in the movie.
I was part of a group, along with the main characters, who was lined up by the bar and briefed on what to do. Simple, just fall with the group and walk along with them heading toward the mechanical bull area and don't look at the camera. Oooooops, I could't help the grin. We practiced that walk a couple of times until they were ready to film it. Since it was a bar scene, the crew came through with fog machines to make it look smokey. I believe we repeated the filming at least two times.
The Original Gilley's Club Is Gone - You Can Still Visit A Gilley's Club
- Gilley's Night Club - Dallas
- Link to Gilley's Dallas Website
- Gilley's Night Club - Las Vegas
- Link to Gilley's Las Vegas Website
Me Walking In Front Of John Travolta - ( Photo- clip from the movie Urban Cowboy )
As The Day Went On
After we finished that part, we were instructed to go around to the tables near the mechanical bull and just be part of the crowd scene.
I got a chance to observe some goings on like Debra Winger ( Sissy), having to ice down her legs because of pain from riding the bull and Madolyn Smith ( the girlfriend), fussing at the hair dresser over her hat and hair. Then there was a funny encounter in the ladies restroom when Brooke Alderson ( Aunt Corine) , dressed in her Dolly Parton look alike costume, was trying to get her new assets situated.
I talked some with a camera guy, mainly to find out where to get a t-shirt like his. They were not for sale, but by the end of the day, he came over and gave me his. I still have it and have been offered money for it a few times, but I continue to hold on to it.
I got a chance to observe some goings on like Debra Winger ( Sissy), having to ice down her legs because of pain from riding the bull and Madolyn Smith ( the girlfriend), fussing at the hair dresser over her hat and hair. Then there was a funny encounter in the ladies restroom when Brooke Alderson ( Aunt Corine) , dressed in her Dolly Parton look alike costume, was trying to get her new assets situated.
I talked some with a camera guy, mainly to find out where to get a t-shirt like his. They were not for sale, but by the end of the day, he came over and gave me his. I still have it and have been offered money for it a few times, but I continue to hold on to it.
Urban Cowboy Movie Scenes Filmed at Circle 8 Rodeo
In the movie, Bud was taken by his Uncle Bob (Barry Corbin) to practice on a mechanical bull at the Circle 8 Rodeo. The rodeo, like Gilley's Night Club was a real place, not just scenery created for the movie. If you have read some of my biography, you know that I grew up around rodeo, and that I was a fixture at The Circle 8. It was open every Friday and Saturday night for many many years. It was later sold by the owner Hugh "Red" Williamson. The last time I was by there, the building and parking lot was used for construction vehicles.
Mr. Red, we called him, was contacted for use of Circle 8. He in turned invited some of the regulars to be used in those scenes. My grandfather, one of Mr. Red's closest friends, along with some of my other rodeo friends appear in the movie also.
The mechanical bull in that scene was originally at Circle 8 for cowboys to practice riding real bulls. The rodeo extras were on the fence, overlooking the bull pens, watching on as Uncle Bob teaches Bud to ride.
Mr. Red, we called him, was contacted for use of Circle 8. He in turned invited some of the regulars to be used in those scenes. My grandfather, one of Mr. Red's closest friends, along with some of my other rodeo friends appear in the movie also.
The mechanical bull in that scene was originally at Circle 8 for cowboys to practice riding real bulls. The rodeo extras were on the fence, overlooking the bull pens, watching on as Uncle Bob teaches Bud to ride.
L-R My Grandfather Lt. W.C.Doss, Ricky Lindsey, Mr. Rankin and Mr. Van Winkle - ( Photo - Clip from the movie Urban Cowboy)
Each of these Rodeo Cowboys spent years at Circle 8. As a way to help pay entry fees for my brothers and me, my grandfather worked many positions at the rodeo. Since he was also a Policeman, he helped keep the peace if necessary. He served as a pick-up man, helping the guys off of their bareback horses, and clearing the arena of the bulls. He also served as a flag judge in the calf roping, announced and kept times among other things, to give others a break.
Ricky Lindsey, is a boy I first met at the rodeo and later went to high school with him. He was injured badly when a steer he was riding, in his junior years, stepped on and crushed his face. After some surgeries, but not a total reconstruction, he returned and became one of the best bull riders of that time.
Mr. Rankin owned an auto glass company in Houston but spent his weekends at the Circle 8 roping calves. I usually needed a boost getting on my horse, and if my grandfather was busy, I could call on him if he was nearby. He was always around to help with the roping also.
Mr. Van Winkle's primarily served as Arena Director at Circle 8. He was the man that kept things rolling making sure that the bull and bareback riders were ready to go behind the bucking chutes. He kept the arena cleared of people trying to cross the arena who might get hurt or walk in front of the electric eye used to time the barrel racing. Mr. Van Winkle was also at the contestant entrance in the back most nights,(right behind them in the picture) before the rodeo started taking the gate money.
There were some bull riders from Circle 8 who appeared in the movie riding the mechanical bull at Gilley's One was J.R. Fisk, who also went to high school with me.
Ricky Lindsey, is a boy I first met at the rodeo and later went to high school with him. He was injured badly when a steer he was riding, in his junior years, stepped on and crushed his face. After some surgeries, but not a total reconstruction, he returned and became one of the best bull riders of that time.
Mr. Rankin owned an auto glass company in Houston but spent his weekends at the Circle 8 roping calves. I usually needed a boost getting on my horse, and if my grandfather was busy, I could call on him if he was nearby. He was always around to help with the roping also.
Mr. Van Winkle's primarily served as Arena Director at Circle 8. He was the man that kept things rolling making sure that the bull and bareback riders were ready to go behind the bucking chutes. He kept the arena cleared of people trying to cross the arena who might get hurt or walk in front of the electric eye used to time the barrel racing. Mr. Van Winkle was also at the contestant entrance in the back most nights,(right behind them in the picture) before the rodeo started taking the gate money.
There were some bull riders from Circle 8 who appeared in the movie riding the mechanical bull at Gilley's One was J.R. Fisk, who also went to high school with me.
My Grandfather The "Pick-Up Man" At Circle 8 Rodeo
Me with Ricky Lindsey winning All-Around Cowboy And Cowgirl At A High School Rodeo
Me Running Barrels At Circle 8 Rodeo In 1967
Urban Cowboy Movie Scenes Filmed At The Huntsville Prison Rodeo
The Huntsville Prison Rodeo was always on the agenda for my family each October. It was also used in scenes from the movie as it related to the bad guy in Urban Cowboy, Wes, played by Scott Glenn.
For many years, my grandfather and step father were members of a drill team that performed on horseback, called The Texas Range Riders. An all male group, based in Houston, that practiced together each week and performed at rodeos throughout Texas. They executed several different weaving and wagon wheel type patterns at good speeds. At the end of the drill, they would stand as pivots for the rodeo contestants as they passed by during the Grand Entry. The Texas Range Riders performed during the scene when Bud and Sissy go to the Prison Rodeo.
The Prison Rodeo was shut down several years ago. If I remember correctly, it was due to lack of funds to repair the Grandstands. The rodeo was how it is shown in the movie, with convicts riding the bulls and bareback horses. The prisoners who were allowed to watch, sat behind the fenced area and the rest was open to the public. Outside Barrel Racers and Calf Ropers we allowed to participate.
The Texas Range Riders are also seen in the prison rodeo movie Stir Crazy with Gene Wilder.
For many years, my grandfather and step father were members of a drill team that performed on horseback, called The Texas Range Riders. An all male group, based in Houston, that practiced together each week and performed at rodeos throughout Texas. They executed several different weaving and wagon wheel type patterns at good speeds. At the end of the drill, they would stand as pivots for the rodeo contestants as they passed by during the Grand Entry. The Texas Range Riders performed during the scene when Bud and Sissy go to the Prison Rodeo.
The Prison Rodeo was shut down several years ago. If I remember correctly, it was due to lack of funds to repair the Grandstands. The rodeo was how it is shown in the movie, with convicts riding the bulls and bareback horses. The prisoners who were allowed to watch, sat behind the fenced area and the rest was open to the public. Outside Barrel Racers and Calf Ropers we allowed to participate.
The Texas Range Riders are also seen in the prison rodeo movie Stir Crazy with Gene Wilder.
Texas Range Riders Performing Their Drill Before The Grand Entry (Personal Photo) - They Were Always Dressed In Red White And Blue
Part Of A Rodeo Program From the Huntsville Prison Rodeo From My Scrapbook
In the movie, Bud is looking back at the rodeo program from when him and Sissy went to the Prison Rodeo. This is when he remembers where he had seen Wes before.
Picture From the Prison Rodeo Paper With The Range Riders In The Grand Entry
Huntsville Prison Rodeo Demolished Jan. 2012 - Link To Articles
The Payday - My Grandfather Had Thought To Make A Copy Before He Cashed His Check........... I Did Not. - He received $50.00 and I received $ 35.00 for the day.
Not exactly Movie Star wages, but we probably would have done it for nothing but the memories.
Urban Cowboy Reunion - I printed out a picture to take with me to have autographed by Johnny Lee.
There have been others, but in 2009, I attended the Urban Cowboy Reunion held at Tumble Weed Texas Night Club in Houston. Johnny Lee, who was made famous with his music from the movie, played with his band. There were some Bud and Sissy look a likes, but no actual stars. However, since the movie was made mostly around the Houston area, everyone knew someone, that knew someone, who had a hand in the movie.
I wore my Urban Cowboy Production Team t-shirt which caught some attention from the guy who had booked Johnny Lee to perform. He pointed me out to Johnny Lee, who invited me and my friend Cheryl to see his bus. After his performance, we went through the usual line for autographs, then went outside to wait with the band members and bus driver for Mr.Lee to finish. By the time he got to the end of the line for autographs, unfortunately he was also at the end of his line and was accompanied out of the club with men holding him up on either side.
Oh well, the bus driver took us on the bus and showed us anyway.
I wore my Urban Cowboy Production Team t-shirt which caught some attention from the guy who had booked Johnny Lee to perform. He pointed me out to Johnny Lee, who invited me and my friend Cheryl to see his bus. After his performance, we went through the usual line for autographs, then went outside to wait with the band members and bus driver for Mr.Lee to finish. By the time he got to the end of the line for autographs, unfortunately he was also at the end of his line and was accompanied out of the club with men holding him up on either side.
Oh well, the bus driver took us on the bus and showed us anyway.
My Album Autographed By Mickey Gilley - I Came By This In An Unusual Way.
We have friends who own an auto repair shop. They keep a piano in their office that Mickey Gilley has a connection to. They had told us previously that he stops by when he is in the area and likes to play it. So one day when they knew he was coming, they called us. I wasn't dressed to go, so I sent my album with my husband who had it signed for me.
John Travolta Autograph
I have one somewhere. If you have believed me so far, then you can believe this also. My grandfather got me an autograph from John Travolta when they were filming at Circle 8 Rodeo. It is signed on a guest check, used to write hamburger orders in the concession stand, at the rodeo. It is mixed up in some of my other collectibles. It's out of place I'm sure, from to much show and tell.
Urban Cowboy On American Pickers
The History Channel show called American Pickers is about a couple of guys that travel the country looking for antiques and collectibles. In a recent episode they were in the Houston area and came across Mickey Gilley and his stash of collectibles from the original Gilley's Night Club.
They were able to walk away with many items, at what I thought, was very reasonable prices. I don't know if these items will be put up for resale. On the show, they mention American Pickers Warehouse where they sell things.
I have included the link to the episode of American Pickers.
They were able to walk away with many items, at what I thought, was very reasonable prices. I don't know if these items will be put up for resale. On the show, they mention American Pickers Warehouse where they sell things.
I have included the link to the episode of American Pickers.
Urban Cowboy Soundtrack
A lot of good music came from the movie and at that time it was available on albums and 8 track tapes. Wow, that's a long time ago. I still have it on 8 track boxed up with the others from that time period.
The music is still available new and used on albums, cassettes and CD's as well as MP3 download.
The music is still available new and used on albums, cassettes and CD's as well as MP3 download.
Bud and Sissy Texas License Plates Tags Urban Cowboy
Bud And Sissy had license plates with their name on them. They put them in the back window of the truck. You can get plates just like the ones in the movie.
Urban Cowboy Movie Posters
There is a large variety of posters with still shots from the movie and other photos of the actors individually. Here is a couple of examples or you can see them all here.