Riding High

Fortunately, he also happens to be a licensed pilot, which eases his effort to keep a tight schedule of gigs while watching over his sprawling empire. Every Thursday he flies 2 1/2 hours in his Beech C55 Baron from Branson to his home in Texas to spend the weekend with his second wife Vivian and to play golf with their son Greg. He has three grown children from his first marriage and four grandchildren.

For Gilley, home means relaxation. Were you to visit his spread, you would probably see him mowing the 20 manicured acres that surround his 10,000-sq.-ft. house with one of his three riding tractors — or you could possibly find him striding around his walking track. "I'm trying to get down to my original weight of 8 lbs., 3 oz.," jokes the country musician, who weighs 177 lbs.--2 lbs. above his actual goal. He walks at least 1 1/2 miles daily, and he tries to play golf "every day that ends with a y."

But as much as he enjoys home life and exercise, he's a compulsive entertainer who is pulled to the stage. This year he is sprinkling his show with four songs from Invitation Only, playing morning shows in October for early birds and even talking about opening another restaurant. Of course, Gilley claims he will retire — he just wants 10 more years. To those who know him, though, that's a conservative figure. "My guess is that one night while playing piano, he'll go to meet his maker," says Norman. "As long as one person will come to hear him sing, he'll keep playing."