As a teenager who moved to Richmond in 1970, I quickly learned about the band called Exile. The first time I heard them play was at the Madison Country Club. Yes, Exile was the entertainment for a Junior Golf Tournament. Next, Exile played my Senior Prom in 1973. Like many others around Madison County and central Kentucky, I was quite impressed and under their spell. Their lead singer, Jimmy Stokely, was an entertainer and quite a showman to say the least.
Now some 53 years later, I found myself standing in line Thursday night at the Richmond Area Arts Center looking to purchase a book written by my friend, Bill Luxon, entitled “Exiled The climax and surrender of Jimmy Stokely.” The RAAC was overflowing with young and old fans wanting to get their books signed by author Bill Luxon, and a few other members of Exile.
I became friends with Bill “Billy” Luxon when he and his brother, Kenny, turned the old Goodyear store on Main Street into J. Sutters Mill. I had heard stories of Billy playing the trumpet for Exile before I moved to Richmond and learned about the band. I had heard Exile play at The Family Dog on a few occasions when I was in school at Eastern Kentucky University and even remember them playing in the Britts parking lot on a flatbed trailer. I thought Jimmy Stokely was kin somehow to Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones.
This past Thursday night, I got my newly purchased book signed by Bill Luxon, Mike Howard, Mack Davenport, Bernie Faulkner, and Bobby Johns. I will always consider Billy Luxon a good friend even though we do not see each other very often. Also, I have gotten to know Mike Howard over the last couple of years and really have enjoyed our friendship. I have seen Mack Davenport at several Exile concerts over the last several years and admire his dedication to the band. I met Bernie Faulkner years ago in Nashville when I had the dream to discover a country music artist and took a musician friend down to Music Row for some introductions. Bobby Johns drove up from Florida for the book signing which was a tribute to Billy Luxon and Exile.
Having not read the book, I was walking into the event and met Susan Nassida Huntzinger crossing the street from the First Christian Church parking lot. Later that evening, I realized that Susan was the daughter of Jimmy Stokely. She made a brief speech at the event and thanked Billy Luxon for reaching out to her.
I have to say kudos to the Richmond Area Arts Council and the Madison Historical Society for hosting the book signing. The event was a marvelous success from my point of view.
Now, I cannot wait to pick up the book and learn more about the early years of Exile. Finally, I must say that I do remember Jimmy Stokely dancing and singing on stage with Joshua Colley one last time at a field party out Barnes Mill Road near the falls at Silver Creek. I did ask Billy if he remembered and he did.
