St. Patricks' Day Marks Eight Years Since The Lucky Reunion Of Multi-Platinum Selling Group, Exi
"Kiss You All Over" Hit-Making Pop/Country Group Credits Spontaneous March 17 Benefit Show in 2008 For Bringing Them Back Together
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – It was St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2008 when the ‘original’ band members of the multi-platinum selling pop and country group EXILE reunited for the first time in 23 years. The spontaneous reunion was presumed to be fleeting, and only for the day – but what happened that night changed everything. Today, members J.P. Pennington, Sonny LeMaire, Marlon Hargis, Steve Goetzman and Les Taylor of EXILE celebrate their eighth anniversary of being reunited, as they continue to tour nationwide in support of their latest E.P., People Get Ready, and legendary hits like “Kiss You All Over,” “I Don’t Want To Be A Memory,” and “Give Me One More Chance.” In their 2013 book release, 50 Years Of Exile: The Story Of A Band In Transition, author Randy Westbrook describes EXILE as “an entity that held it together.” From small-town Richmond, Kentucky, a band was formed that would go on to make pop and country music history, despite the transition of numerous band members in and out of the group. Along the way friendships were made and riffs were created, but their music created an enduring legacy and strong bond that can never be broken. As recounted in the band’s biography, on this day in 2008, after years apart, “a common cause created reconnection.” EXILE’s road manager Raymond Patrick had suffered a serious motorcycle accident, and due to his injuries he was unable to work. The disabilities led to him being covered up in medical bills to the point where he desperately needed help. But a lasting band reunion was not what J.P. Pennington had in mind when he experienced the urge to help out an old friend. “It became apparent that the best way the five of us could help him was to stage a benefit show to raise funds for him,” said Pennington. The band’s old friend, Doug Breeding, donated his club, The Blue Moon in Lexington, Kentucky, and through just word of mouth the benefit sold out completely in just “one lucky week.” Another former tour manager of EXILE, Clarence Spalding (Maverick Management, who now manages Jason Aldean, among others), jumped in to help as well. The evening turned out to be a phenomenal success – bringing in over $40,000 for Patrick. The event helped out an old friend who was forever grateful, but above all it instilled the realization in the former EXILE band members that they should have never thrown in the towel. It made never playing together again out of the question. A few rehearsals, in-depth discussions and a length of time elapsed before EXILE scheduled a showcase at 3rd and Lindsley in Nashville. “It was an amazing night; one of those incredible ‘supposed to happen’ kind of nights. We had so many friends like members of Restless Heart, Diamond Rio, and all of the songwriters we’d written with over the years show up and cheer us on. We can’t properly explain what that support meant to us,” said band member Steve Goetzman. Today, the band is touring in support of their greatest hits, fan-favorite on-the-road songs from over the years and their latest E.P. release, People Get Ready (2010). They were inducted into the legendary Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in their home state where it all started in 2012, and re-recorded their mega-smash “Kiss You All Over,” with Trace Adkins in 2011, who says he was inspired by the song to pursue a career in music. The new recording, featuring Adkins’ deep bass vocals, became part of a television show on Great American Country (GAC) entitled “Hit Exchange.” This week, they kick off their 2016 national tour, and as they celebrate eight years together since their lucky reunion, they look forward to many more. Wish EXILE a happy eighth anniversary of their reunion on Facebook and Twitter! For more information on the band including links to purchase tickets for upcoming tour dates, please visit www.exile.biz. Upcoming EXILE Tour Dates March 18 Chris Roberts School Of Music | Fort Payne, Ala. March 19 PRIVATE SHOW | Nashville, Tenn. April 1 Mid-America Trucking Show | Louisville, Ky. April 8 The Ranch with Janie Fricke | Fort Myers, Fla. April 9 Orange Blossom Opry with Janie Fricke | Weirsdale, Fla. April 16 Tehama District Fairgrounds | Red Bluff, Ca. April 22 Grand Ole Opry | Nashville, Tenn. April 23 Grand Ole Opry | Nashville, Tenn. April 29 The Kentucky Opry | Benton, Ky. April 30 Renfro Valley Entertainment Center | Renfro Valley, Ky. June 8 PRIVATE SHOW | Louisville, Ky. June 9 CMA Music Festival | Nashville, Tenn. June 10 CMA Music Festival | Nashville, Tenn. June 11 CMA Music Festival | Nashville, Tenn. June 12 CMA Music Festival | Nashville, Tenn. June 25 Fir Station Amphitheater | LaVeta, Colo. June 26 Fir Station Amphitheater| LaVeta, Colo. July 2 Taylor County July 4th Celebration | Campbellsville, Ky. July 4 Pecan Grove Park | Rowlett, Texas July 15 Mississippi Watermelon Festival | Mize, Miss. July 29 Bordertown Casino & Arena | Wyandotte, Okla. July 30 Stagecoach Ballroom | Fort Worth, Texas August 6 Ohio River Festival | Ravenswood, W.V. Sept. 3 Jeffersonville Stage | Jeffersonville, Ind. Sept. 4 Daniel Boone Festival | Winchester, Ky. Sept. 8 Mill Town Music Hall | Breman, Ga. Sept. 22 World Chicken Festival | London, Ky. Oct. 20 Feather Falls Casino Brewing Co. | Oroville, Calif. Dec. 2 Angelic Hall | Lebanon, Ky. Dec. 3 Ross Country Jamboree | Scottsburg, Ind.
