Exile will be featured in in two new productions—Exile: 60 Years of Music and Exile: Live in Concert by KET (The Kentucky Network)—in March. The projects commemorate the award-winning band’s 60th anniversary as performers and songwriters.

Premiering March 2 at 5:30 p.m. CT on KET, Exile: 60 Years of Music chronicles the band’s rock ‘n’ roll roots in Richmond, Kentucky to their 1978 pop hit “Kiss You All Over” that topped the Billboard charts, to their reinvention as a hit-making country band. Through rare photos and home movies filmed over 50 years ago, and rarely seen archival musical footage, this documentary chronicles 60 years on the road with a true Kentucky original.

Exile: Live in Concert, scheduled for March 5 at 7 p.m. CT, was recorded at the historic Renfro Valley Entertainment Center in Mt. Vernon, Kentucky, and celebrates the band’s 60th anniversary. The one-hour film captures the band in classic form, sporting all five of its central members, including J.P. Pennington, Les Taylor, Sonny Lemaire, Marlon Hargis and Steve Goetzman. The performance, recorded Nov. 4, 2023, features many of their biggest hits, including “Kiss You All Over,” “Keep It in the Middle of the Road,” “She’s a Miracle,” “It’ll Be Me,” “Give Me One More Chance” and more.

“We’re excited to have our journey documented by KET,” says Exile. “We’re in hopes that our fans, old and and new, enjoy seeing it as much as we did making it.”

“I wanted viewers of this film to know the full story, which traces the band’s history back to 1963,” says KET Producer Thomas Thurman. “I feature some of their earliest recordings, like ‘It’s Alligator Time’ and ‘A Game Called Hurt,’ from 1966. The timing of making this documentary was perfect for me as the director. It coincided with the release of their new album A Million Miles Later, so it allowed me to portray just how relevant and powerful this band remains. So many people know the song ‘Kiss You All Over’ and the band’s massive success in country music. But the band is so much more than that. That’s what I try to present to viewers. A documentary about Exile wouldn’t be fair or accurate without emphasizing the importance of their original lead singer Jimmy Stokley, who died in 1985. In many ways, he’s at the heart of this story I tell,”

Earlier this year, Exile announced the release of A Million Miles Later, the group’s first album of original music in over 30 years.

The second annual “Reportin’ For Duty” benefit, which honored the late Leslie Jordan, raised over one million dollars last weekend for EB Research Partnership (EBRP), a nonprofit organization that was close to Jordan’s heart.

Founded in 2010 by a group of parents along with Jill Vedder and Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, EBRP is the largest nonprofit funding research aimed at finding a cure for Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a life-threatening genetic skin disorder that affects children from birth.

Vedder, Post Malone, The War And Treaty, Jelly Roll, Ruby Amanfu, Jake Wesley Rogers and Dan Spencer all performed intimate sets during the star-studded show at Humble Baron at Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville, Tennessee. The concert and live auction helped to support EBRP.

“I can’t find words to say how powerful and inspiring it was to be gathered with such incredible musicians under one small roof for a cause that’s so impactful on young people’s lives,” says Vedder. “The performances by Post Malone, The War And Treaty, Jake Wesley Rogers, Jelly Roll, Ruby Amanfu, Dan Spencer and Danny Myrick, were some of their best I’ve ever witnessed. I had chills. Had tears. And all the while with a grin of positivity and action. I speak for the entire tight-knit organization of EBRP that we are all so grateful for all the artists, their energies, and the energy of a beautiful crowd as well. THANK YOU! The generosity of all who were involved is tremendously appreciated and will help us continue to fund research aimed at curing EB by 2030.”

“It’s been the honor of a lifetime to take an event that began as a tribute to the wonderful Leslie Jordan and make it a tradition. In his spirit of ‘reportin’ for duty,’ our desire is to lift the voices of those in need,” adds Myrick, “Reportin’ For Duty” Music Director.

Chase Matthew Receives RIAA Platinum & Gold Certifications

Rising country artist Chase Matthew was surprised with two RIAA certifications after his Opry performance on Feb. 16. The first plaque was presented for “County Line,” which is his first ever RIAA Platinum certification. He was also presented with a RIAA Gold certification for “Love You Again.”

Matthew has earned over 930 million global career streams, 280 million of those being for “County Line.” “Love You Again,” the singer’s debut single, is currently in the top 30 at country radio.

 

Colton Venner & Clayton Mullen Perform At Concord Studios

Last week, Concord Music Publishing hosted a special event at Concord Studios in Nashville featuring songs from Colton Venner and Clayton Mullen.

 

Nashville Briefing Celebrates Annual 30 Under 30 List

Members of the Nashville music industry gathered at The Eighth Room on Monday night (Feb. 19) to celebrate Nashville Briefing‘s annual 30 Under 30 List. People in attendance included Judah & The Lion’s Judah Akers, Chase Matthew, Ian Munsick, Spotify’s Jackie Augustus, Spotify’s Claire Heinichen, CAA’s Blake McDaniel, The Neal Agency’s Ryan Beuschel, songwriter Jordan Dozzi, WME’s Carlile Willett, Monument Records’ Joel Beaver, Sony Music Nashville’s Parker Stacey and many others.

“It’s crazy to think about what has come from this annual list and event” said Nashville Briefing Founder Zak Kuhn. “Our first year, we had someone raise money for their startup from a VC they met at our party. Last year, someone met their publisher at this party. I can’t wait to hear about who met who this time around. Four years in, being included on our 30 UNDER 30 list has become like a Nashville secret handshake. We’ve built a mega community of honorees that not only gather once a year to party in person, but are in touch year round to continue supporting each other’s careers.”

 

‘Melodies For Minds’ Raises Over $268,000

On Feb. 6, Loveless Café hosted “Melodies For Minds,” an event that raised over $268,000 for The Refuge Center for Counseling and the Change Your Brain Foundation. Country star Walker Hayes headlined the event, while other notable attendees included Adam Woolard, Ben Zobrist, Braunwyn Windham-Burke,  David Arquette, Christina Arquette, Cole and Savannah LaBrant, Kristin Cavallari, Jed Wyatt, Lacey Hester, Noah Hester, Savannah Chrisley and more.

“‘Melodies For Minds’ was an undeniable success and we are so excited for the ripple effect it will have on our community as the word about mental health and brain health continues to spread outwards. Breaking the stigma around mental health and acknowledging the need to ‘not be okay’ is the first and hardest step to take towards healing, but it is one we get to take together as a community,” shares Amy Alexander, Founder of The Refuge Center.

Texas band The Wilder Blue has signed with Nashville-based management companies Make Wake Artists and Deep Roots Management. The band, who just made their Grand Ole Opry debut, will be co-managed by Make Wake’s Chris Kappy and Deep Roots’ Dylan Wright, with Make Wake/Deep Roots’ Eric Berger and HB Riordan as partnering day-to-days.

The Wilder Blue formed in 2019, and is comprised of primary frontman and songwriter Zane Williams, lead guitarist Paul Eason, bassist Sean Rodriguez, drummer Lyndon Hughes and multi-instrumentalist Andy Rogers. Their most recent album, Super Natural, shows off their Texas twang and southern harmonies. It was produced by Grammy-nominee Brent Cobb.

“We are very excited to be a part of the team that represents The Wilder Blue,” shares Kappy. “This supergroup of musicians and vocal talent is something to behold. With five-part harmonies and musicianship that rivals a band of session players, we know that witnessing this live show is a joy for any music lover. We look forward to helping more eyes and ears experience the phenomenon that is The Wilder Blue.”

“We are thrilled about our partnership with this exceptionally talented group of individuals comprising The Wilder Blue,” says Wright. “Their mastery of five-part harmonies is on par with the industry’s finest, showcasing a level of musical excellence that is truly remarkable. With their exceptional songwriting, we anticipate that this band will make a significant impact on both the country and Americana music scenes.”

As the band continues to emerge out of Texas, they’ve also signed with WME for global representation, working with WME Partner Braeden Rountree and agents Geoff Turner and Carrie Murphy.

“We have been big fans of The Wilder Blue’s incredible music for some time,” says Turner. “The energy and musicianship they bring in a live setting is a level all its own, and we are honored to be a part of their team.”

“Combining talents and working together is how The Wilder Blue got to where we are,” shares Williams. “Adding the talented folks at Make Wake Artists and WME to our team is the perfect opportunity to take us even farther and we are pumped to take this journey together.”

The Wilder Blue will join Luke Combs on his upcoming “Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old Tour,” which includes 30 stadium shows.