Gator Conley

Gator Conley

Gator Conley is a Houston Texas local, a legendary regular of Gilley’s which was the largest nightclub in the world and appeared in the cult classic film Urban Cowboy with John Travolta. Gator was born in Shreveport, Louisiana and raised on Black Lake outside of Campti, Louisiana. His family moved to Houston in 1963. Later in the early 70’s he began working for Sherwood Cryer, one of the founders of Gilley’s. Gator was selected as one of the cast members for Urban Cowboy and appeared in numerous scenes throughout the film. He also participated in the 2015 documentary Urban Cowboy: The Rise and Fall of Gilley’s. Other appearances include David Letterman, John Davidson, Dick Cavett as well as several local shows throughout the country where he taught dancing and demonstrated mechanical bull riding. In an appearance on the nationally televised Nashville Palace, Gator was introduced by Slim Pickens as the Honky Tonk Fred Astaire. He was named Redneck of the Century by Texas Monthly Magazine and appeared on the cover of Bob Claypool’s Saturday Night at Gilley’s and Tony Leisner’s Official Guide to Country Dance Steps. Gator will embark on the 40th anniversary Urban Cowboy tour with many of the cast in 2020.