R. David Shew
This past Friday night, many local fans were at high school football games around central Kentucky pulling for their favorite team. However, several of us brave souls and diehard fans showed up for our local favorite band, Exile, at The Vine and got soaked to the bone in the elements and excellent entertainment.
First, Rockland Road opened the night and was quite impressive. I want to say that I have heard them perform before, and my eyes were opened a bit more tonight by this sensational family of entertainers. Their father was a former lead singer and guitarist for the country-pop group today called Exile. Paul Martin’s wife is Jamie from Nashville, Tennessee whose father is Duane Allen, lead singer of The Oak Ridge Boys. March and Kell are the two sons. Texas and Tallant are the two daughters. The band is quite remarkable with six-part harmonies.
Next, Brassfield took over the stage and sang several crowd favorites like The Cows Came Home and several others. Chadley Brassfield, Jessie’s man, his wife Jessie Pennington Brassfield, and Bradley Brassfield make up this talented trio. J.P. Pennington joined his daughter, son-in-law, and Bradley on stage for a couple of tunes. This writer has seen J.P. sing with two many to count, but watching him play music and sing with his daughter is an excellent treat any time.
Last but not least, it was time for the crowd’s favorite Exile who opened their show with Give Me One More Chance. Then, there were a slew of Exile favorites like I Can’t Get Close Enough, Woke Up in Love, She’s A Miracle, and Keep It in the Middle of the Road. Next, Exile took a quick moment to sing Happy Birthday to Petey Howard and Mack Davenport.
Exile followed the Nobody’s Talking sung by Sonny LeMaire. And the hits kept coming with Super Love, I Could Get Use to You, Sixteen Tons, It Will Be Me, Heart and Soul, and It Ain’t Easy Being Easy with ole buddy Les Taylor doing what Les does best, singing.
Fly Away, Take Me Down, and Closer You Get brings back so many great memories for this writer, and the Dog always delivers. Thanks J.P.
The show moved into the stratosphere with Kiss You All Over followed by their encore featuring Motown tunes Sugar Bye Honey Bunch, Ain’t too Proud to Beg and Signed Sealed and Delivered.
Kudos to Don Brandenburg and Doug Flynn for presenting a Proclamation from Governor Andy Beshear celebrating 63 years of the band playing music and telling the story of Kentucky music. And Happy Belated Birthday to Petey and Mack!
