Wild Texas Wind

Wild Texas Wind
GenreDrama
Music
Thriller
Written byMark Kiracofe
Dolly Parton
Directed byJoan Tewkesbury
StarringDolly Parton
Gary Busey
Ray Benson
Dennis Letts
Willie Nelson
Music byRay Benson
Dolly Parton
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producerHoward Rosenman
ProducersRichard L. O'Connor
Fred Berner
Robert Chartoff
EditorRichard E. Rabjohn
Running time96 min.
Production companySandollar Productions
Original release
NetworkNBC
ReleaseSeptember 23, 1991 (1991-09-23)

Wild Texas Wind is a 1991 American made-for-television drama film directed by Joan Tewkesbury and starring Dolly Parton, Gary Busey, and Ray Benson. Parton co-wrote the story with Mark Kiracofe, as well as multiple songs from the film with Benson. The film was produced by Sandollar Productions.

Plot

The story centers around singer Thiola Rayfield (Parton) and her band Big T and the Texas Wheel. The plot follows the band's climb to success and Thiola's tumultuous relationship with their violently abusive, alcoholic manager Justice Parker (Busey). In the midst of the chaos, a murder occurs, leaving authorities with a trio of suspects and a mystery to solve.

Cast

Production

The film was shot on location in Austin, Texas. Club scenes were filmed in an at-the-time new south Austin C&W dance hall where several hundred people enjoyed the good C&W bands on a big dance floor during the 1990s. Still an active club which has operated under several names since the 1990s on Ben White Blvd near I-35.

Music

The film features original music by Ray Benson and Dolly Parton. No soundtrack was ever released. The title song was written by Carl Perkins and released on his 1992 album Friends, Family & Legends as well as on his 1996 album Go Cat Go! in a new version with Willie Nelson.

The songs in the film are:

Reception

Viewership data

The film premiered to 18 million viewers and a 27 share amongst television households, making it the top rated program of the night of its premiere.

Critical response

The film received mixed reviews from critics. Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly gave the film a positive review, praising the cast's performances and calling the film "pleasingly unexpected."

References

  1. ↑ "MOVIE SHOWS PAIN BEHIND FAME". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. September 22, 1991. Retrieved September 29, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Wild Texas Wind (TV 1991)". IMDb. Retrieved November 17, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Wild Texas Wind (1991) (TV) - Synopsis". IMDb. Retrieved November 17, 2011.
  4. ↑ "`DOLLYISMS' MAKE FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE INTERVIEW". Deseret News. April 3, 1992. Retrieved September 29, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Wild Texas Wind (TV 1991)". IMDb. Retrieved November 17, 2011.
  6. ↑ "Wild Texas Wind (1991) (TV) - Soundtrack". IMDb. Retrieved November 17, 2011.
  7. ↑ Carmody, John (September 24, 1991). "THE TV COLUMN". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 29, 2026.
  8. ↑ "ONCE-FORMIDABLE NBC LOSING STEAM IN NEW SEASON". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. October 3, 1991. Retrieved September 29, 2026.
  9. ↑ "STRONG ACTING OVERCOMES WEAK 'TEXAS WIND' SCRIPT". Chicago Tribune. September 23, 1991. Retrieved September 29, 2026.
  10. ↑ Willman, Chris (September 23, 1991). "TV REVIEW: 'Wind' Blows Away Serious Approach to Physical Abuse". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 29, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Wild Texas Wind Review". Entertainment Weekly. September 20, 1991. Archived from the original on April 25, 2009. Retrieved November 17, 2011.