A Powerful Look at 60 Years with One of Kentucky’s Most Trailblazing Bands
Photo Credit: Mark Conner
NASHVILLE, TN. – (July 22, 2025) – The Emmy®, considered one of the highest honors in television, and Exile are proud to be on the receiving end of a documentary that covers more than six decades of their career. Exile: 60 Years of Music, produced by KET (The Kentucky Network) captured defining moments of the band’s legacy during triumph and tragedy, musical peaks and valleys, and, most importantly, creativity and survival. Through it all, the band stayed true to themselves, their music, and their loyal audience. Watch the documentary here.
Through rare photographs, home movies filmed over 50 years ago, and rarely seen archival musical footage, this documentary chronicles 60 years on the road with true American country rock legends and Kentucky Music Hall of Fame inductees Exile, featuring original members Sonny LeMaire, JP Pennington, Marlon Hargis, Steve Goetzman, and Les Taylor.
Exile shared, “As a band now in our 62nd year of music and friendship, we’ve achieved more than we ever imagined as kids. From unforgettable TV moments on The Midnight Special, Solid Gold, and The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, to so many others, we’ve been blessed with a remarkable journey. But our documentary has given us center stage like never before. While we’ve seen many dreams come true, we never imagined an Emmy. We tip our hats to KET and producer/director Tom Thurman for bringing this honor home. We’re proud of our Kentucky roots and deeply grateful to be the subject of an Emmy-winning collaboration with our fellow Kentuckians.”
KET Producer/Director Tom Thurman added, “As the director of this documentary, I knew that it would be a real challenge covering Exile’s 60 years of history. But these men are not only talented musicians and songwriters; they are great storytellers as well. And maybe even more importantly, they are survivors thriving in a very tough business. That’s a filmmaker’s dream right there.”
The band’s release, Exile HITS Anniversary Edition, a remixed and remastered collection of 15 timeless hit songs, showcasing eleven No.1 songs, is now available in immersive Dolby Atmos sound.
The Exile HITS Anniversary Edition offers an enhanced listening experience. It features surround sound technology that allows audio elements to be placed in a 3D space, delivering a more realistic and dynamic experience for fans and content creators alike.
Released on Clearwater Records, Exile HITS Anniversary Edition celebrates the band’s incredible musical journey and their 62nd anniversary. Exile continues to captivate audiences worldwide with a career marked by chart-topping hits and unforgettable performances featuring their stellar musicianship and signature soulful harmonies.
Download and stream the new project on all digital platforms HERE.
Exile HITS Anniversary Edition Track Listing:
Kiss You All Over (Mike Chapman, Nicky Chinn)
Woke Up In Love (JP Pennington)
I Don’t Want To Be A Memory (JP Pennington, Sonny LeMaire)
Give Me One More Chance (JP Pennington, Sonny LeMaire)
She’s A Miracle (JP Pennington, Sonny LeMaire)
Crazy For Your Love (JP Pennington, Sonny LeMaire)
Hang On To Your Heart (JP Pennington, Sonny LeMaire)
I Could Get Used To You (JP Pennington, Sonny LeMaire)
She’s Too Good To Be True (JP Pennington, Sonny LeMaire)
Super Love (JP Pennington, Sonny LeMaire)
It’ll Be Me (JP Pennington, Sonny LeMaire)
I Can’t Get Close Enough (JP Pennington, Sonny LeMaire)
Keep It In The Middle of The Road (JP Pennington, Sonny LeMaire)
Nobody’s Talking (Sonny LeMaire, Randy Sharp)
Yet (Sonny LeMaire, Randy Sharp)
EXILE Tour Dates
08-12-25 – Missouri State Fair – Sedalia, MO
08-15-25 – Legends Pub House & Venue – Chickasha, OK
08-16-25 – Bay City Civic Center – Bay City, TX
08-23-25 – Orion Amphitheater – Huntsville, AL
08-29-25 – The Millersport Sweet Corn Festival – Millersport, OH
09-01-25 – Labor Day at the Post 2025 – Fort Oglethorpe, GA
09-19-25 – The Vine at Chenault Vineyards – Richmond, KY
09-20-25 – Fall Heritage Festival – Cowan, TN
10-02-25 – Blue Gate Music Hall – Shipshewana, IN
10-03-25 – Manchester Coffee County Conference Center – Manchester, TN
10-10-25 – Knox County Courthouse – Barbourville, KY
10-11-25 – The Acorn Center – Littleton, NC
11-13-25 – Pines Theater – Lufkin, TX
11-15-25 – Clearwater Ranch & Resort – Rio Frio, TX
12-05-25 – The Badgett Playhouse – Grand Rivers, KY
12-06-25 – The Mint Gaming Hall – Franklin, KY
12-13-25 – Waterview Casino – Vicksburg, MS
01-09-26 – Grand Theater – Wausau, WI
02-21-26 – Mountain Arts Center – Prestonsburg, KY
Stay current with Exile on their website exile.biz and social platforms Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Stream and download their music on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, YouTube Music and more. Watch videos on their official artist YouTube channel.
About Exile:
Exile formed in 1963, looking to play small clubs in Richmond, Kentucky, but managed to top both the pop and country charts with eighteen hits collectively, including eleven No. 1s during their 60-year-long career. Their iconic smash hit, “Kiss You All Over,” spent four weeks at the top of Billboard’s pop chart in 1978. In the early 1980s, Exile started to focus on country music. During their run on the country charts, Exile had ten No. 1 singles, including “Woke Up In Love” and “Give Me One More Chance.” The hit song “Kiss You All Over” was used in the 1996 Adam Sandler movie Happy Gilmore and the 2006 film Employee of the Month, among others. They have written hit songs for other major label artists, including Alabama, Diamond Rio, and Restless Heart. The five original Exile members re-formed in 2008 and continue to tour today. Current band members include J.P. Pennington, Les Taylor, Sonny LeMaire, Marlon Hargis, and Steve Goetzman. In 2023, Exile celebrated its 60th anniversary as a band and the 45th anniversary of the hit song “Kiss You All Over.” They continue to tour, promoting their most recent album, A Million Miles Later, released in August 2023, and the most recent release Exile Hits Anniversary Edition. For more information, visit www.exile.biz
About KET:
Both original productions will air exclusively as part of KET’s TeleFund membership drive (March 2-10). Supporters can receive DVD copies of either program as a thank-you gift for supporting KET through a monthly or one-time donation. Exile: 60 Years of Music is a KET production produced and directed by Tom Thurman. Exile: Live in Concert is a KET production by Nick Helton. Both programs are funded in part by the KET Endowment for Kentucky Productions. For more information, please visit KET.org/Exile.
KET is Kentucky’s largest classroom, where learning comes to life for more than two million people each week via television, online and mobile. Learn more about Kentucky’s preeminent public media organization at KET.org, on Twitter @KET and at facebook.com/KET.