''Wild Texas Wind'' is a 1991 American

made-for-television A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made fo ...

drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super ...

directed by

Joan Tewkesbury Joan Tewkesbury (born April 8, 1936) is an American film and television director, writer, producer, choreographer and actress. She had a long association with the celebrated director Robert Altman, writing the screenplays for '' Thieves Like Us ...

and starring

Dolly Parton Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American singer-songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman, known primarily for her work in country music. After achieving success as a songwriter for others, Parton made her album d ...

Gary Busey Gary Busey (; born 1944) is an American actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Buddy Holly in ''The Buddy Holly Story'' (1978), for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor and won the National Society of Film Critics ...

, and

Ray Benson Ray Benson (born Ray Benson Seifert, March 16, 1951 - October 31st 2022) i Western swing band Asleep at the Wheel as well as an actor and voice actor. He Death In Car Crash Accident Biography In 1970, Benson, a native of Philadelphia, formed ...

. Parton co-wrote the story with Mark Kiracofe, as well as multiple songs from the film with Benson. The film was distributed by Sandollar Productions.

Plot summary

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.

Main cast

as Thiola Rayfield *

as Justice Parker *

as Ben Rayson *

Dennis Letts Dennis Letts (September 5, 1934 – February 22, 2008) was an American college professor, and later, in a second career, an actor. As the latter, he originated the critically successful role of Beverly Weston in the Steppenwolf Theatre Company pr ...

as Harlan Fowler *

Willie Nelson Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is an American country musician. The critical success of the album '' Shotgun Willie'' (1973), combined with the critical and commercial success of '' Red Headed Stranger'' (1975) and '' Stardust'' (1 ...

as Himself

Production

The film was shot on location in

Austin, Texas Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of Texas, as well as the seat and largest city of Travis County, with portions extending into Hays and Williamson counties. Incorporated on December 27, 1839, it is the 11th-most-populous city ...

. 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

. The songs in the film are: *"Big T" (performed by Dolly Parton) *"There's a Ring Around the Moon Tonight" (performed by Dolly Parton) *"Say It's True" (performed by Ray Benson & Dolly Parton) *"Road Happy/ On the Road Again" (performed by Ray Benson, Dolly Parton, & Willie Nelson) *"Why Does It Have to Be" (performed by Dolly Parton) *"Swingin' Like Tarzan & Jane" (performed by Ray Benson & Dolly Parton) *" Farther Along" (performed a cappella by Dolly Parton) *"Leave That Cowboy Alone" (performed by Ray Benson & Dolly Parton) *"Wild Texas Wind" (performed by Dolly Parton) *"Speakin' of the Devil" (performed by Dolly Parton) *"Tall Man" (performed by Ray Benson & Dolly Parton) *"My Songbird" (performed by Willie Nelson) *"Big T/On the Road Again" (performed by Dolly Parton, Ray Benson, & Willie Nelson) *"Wild Texas Wind Theme" (instrumental score)

Reception

The film received a positive review from Ken Tucker of ''

Entertainment Weekly ''Entertainment Weekly'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''EW'') is an American digital-only entertainment magazine based in New York City, published by Dotdash Meredith, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books, and popular cu ...

'', who praised the cast's performances and called the film "pleasingly unexpected."

References

{{Reflist 1991 television films 1991 films 1991 drama films 1990s English-language films Films set in Austin, Texas American drama films Films directed by Joan Tewkesbury 1990s American films