Gene Watson’s Peers within the country music industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as ‘the singer’s singer’ – and rightly so!
All of Gene Watson’s Peers, who were contacted by The Gene Watson Fan Site, during 2017, were most gracious with their time and words.
It is here, within this special part of The Gene Watson Fan Site, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from J.P. Pennington, which he submitted to this site on Friday 16 June 2017.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to J.P. Pennington who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
J.P. Pennington
This quote was submitted on Friday 16 June 2017.
‘Gene possesses what every singer should strive for – true originality.
He’s one of the true genius voices in our business and I’m proud to call him my friend‘
Thank you, J.P. Pennington, for your support of Gene Watson.
About J.P. Pennington…
J.P. Pennington was born James Preston ‘J.P.’ Pennington in Berea, Kentucky on Saturday 22 January 1949, and is an American musician, who is known primarily as a founding member of the country-pop band Exile.
James Preston ‘J.P.’ Pennington was destined to achieve country music success; his mother, Lily Mae Ledford, had performed with an all-girl string band called The Coon Creek Girls, and his father hosted the radio show ‘The Renfro Valley Barn Dance’, while his uncle, Red Foley (Friday 17 June 1910 – Thursday 19 September 1968), is a member of The Country Music Hall of Fame.
J.P. Pennington was the founding member and lead singer of the group until departing in 1990.
In January 1978, Exile saw the release of ‘Exile’ (RCA Victor Records, 1978), which was produced by Bill Traut, and included the following tracks:
‘Devil’s Bite’ (written by Todd Rundgren)
‘Ridin’ Thumb’ (written by Jim Seals and Dash Crofts)
‘You’re My Woman’ (written by Van Morrison)
‘Mabel’ (written by James Johnson)
‘Just One Victory’ (written by Todd Rundgren)
‘Jesus is Just All Right’ (written by Reid Reynolds)
‘Please Be There’ (written by John Hall and Johanna Hall)
‘Believe’ (written by Todd Rundgren)
‘Do What You Think You Should’ (written by James Preston Pennington)
‘Hold Tight Sweet Woman’ (written by Todd Rundgren)
Personnel involved in the recording of Exile’s ‘Exile’ (RCA Victor Records, 1978) included the following:
Jimmy Stokley (vocal)
James Preston Pennington (guitar)
Bernie Faulkner (guitar, organ, sax)
Kenny Weir (bass)
Bobby Johns (drums)
Buzz Cornelison (piano, trumpet)
Billy Luxon (percussion, trumpet)
In March 1978, Exile saw the release of ‘Stage Pass’ (RCA Victor Records, 1978), which was produced by Bill Traut, and included the following tracks:
‘Sing A Song’ (written by James Preston Pennington)
‘Whatever Mood You’re In’ (written by Mark James)
‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Woman’ (written by Barry Fasman)
‘Leave Me Standing’ (written by James Preston Pennington)
‘We Can Work It Out’, which was written by John Lennon (Wednesday 9 October 1940 – Monday 8 December 1980) and Paul McCartney
‘Goin’ Down’ (written by Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter)
‘Bobber’, which was written by Sammy Johns (Thursday 7 February 1946 – Friday 4 January 2013)
‘New Ways Train Train’ (written by Johnny Beck)
‘Don’t It Feel Good’ (written by Jeff Thomas and Ed Fournier)
In June 1978, Exile saw the release of ‘Mixed Emotions’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1978), which was produced by Mike Chapman, and included the following tracks:
‘You Thrill Me’ (written by Mike Chapman and NIcky Chinn) / this track reached No.40 on the Billboard pop music singles chart in 1978
‘Never Gonna Stop’ (written by James Preston Pennington)
‘There’s Been A Chance’ (written by James Preston Pennington)
‘You & Me’ (written by James Preston Pennington)
‘Kiss You All Over’ (written by Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn) / this track, which was No.1 on the Billboard pop music singles chart for four weeks in September / October 1978, sold more than four million copies worldwide
‘Ain’t Got No Time’ (written by Danny Williams)
‘Don’t Do It’ (written by James Preston Pennington)
‘One Step At A Time’ (written by James Preston Pennington)
‘Stay With Me’ (written by James Preston Pennington, Even Stevens and Hillary Kanter)
Personnel involved in the recording of Exile’s ‘Mixed Emotions’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1978) included the following:
James Preston Pennington (guitar)
Sonny LeMaire and Danny Williams (bass)
Steve Goetzman (drums)
Buzz Cornelison and Marlon Hargis (keyboards)
Buzz Cornelison, James Preston Pennington, Jimmy Stokley, Marlon Hargis, Sonny LeMaire and Danny Williams (vocals)
Dave & Sugar recorded James Preston Pennington’s ‘Stay With Me’ (co-written with Even Stevens and Hillary Kanter) and included the track on ‘Stay With Me / Golden Tears’ (RCA Victor Records, 1979); the track reached No.6 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1979.
In April 1979, Exile saw the release of ‘All There Is’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1979), which was produced by Mike Chapman, and included the following tracks:
‘How Could This Go Wrong’ (written by Mike Chapman, NIcky Chinn, James Preston Pennington and Linda Lawley) / this track reached No.88 on the Billboard pop music singles chart in 1979
‘All There Is’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Linda Lawley)
‘Too Proud To Cry’ (written by Sonny LeMaire, Jimmy Stokley and Marlon Hargis)
‘Part of Me That Needs You Most’ (written by Mike Chapman and NIcky Chinn)
‘Destiny’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Linda Lawley)
‘Being In Love With You Is Easy’ (written by James Preston Pennington)
‘Let’s Do It Again’ (written by Sonny LeMaire and Jimmy Stokley)
‘Come On Over’ (written by James Preston Pennington)
Personnel involved in the recording of Exile’s ‘All There Is’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1979) included the following:
Jimmy Stokley (vocal)
James Preston Pennington (guitar)
Sonny LeMaire (bass)
Steve Goetzman (drums)
Buzz Cornelison and Marlon Hargis (keyboards)
Andrea Robinson, Linda Lawley, Rusty Buchanan and Sue Richman (vocals)
In May 1980, Exile saw the release of ‘Don’t Leave Me This Way’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1980), which was produced by Peter Coleman, and included the following tracks:
‘You’re Good For Me’, which was written by Mark Eugene Gray (Friday 24 October 1952 – Friday 2 December 2016) and Gregory Guldry
‘Nobody’s Hero’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Linda Lawley)
‘Don’t Leave Me This Way’ (written by James Preston Pennington)
‘Take Me Down’, which was written by James Preston Pennington and Mark Eugene Gray (Friday 24 October 1952 – Friday 2 December 2016)
‘Smooth Sailin’ (Rock In The Road)’, which was written by Mark Eugene Gray (Friday 24 October 1952 – Friday 2 December 2016), Steve Pippin and Johnny Slate
‘Jailbait’, which was written by Mark Eugene Gray (Friday 24 October 1952 – Friday 2 December 2016) and Edward F. Setser (1945 – Monday 27 January 2020)
‘There’s A Love’ (written by James Preston Pennington)
‘Closer You Get’, which was written by James Preston Pennington and Mark Eugene Gray (Friday 24 October 1952 – Friday 2 December 2016)
‘It Takes Love To Make Love’, which was written by Mark Eugene Gray (Friday 24 October 1952 – Friday 2 December 2016), Sonny LeMaire, Sam Lorber and Jeff Silbar
‘Let’s Do It All Over Again’ (written by James Preston Pennington)
Don King recorded James Preston Pennington’s ‘The Closer You Get’, which was co-written with Mark Eugene Gray (Friday 24 October 1952 – Friday 2 December 2016), and included the track on ‘Whirlwind’ (Epic Records, 1981); the track reached No.27 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1981.
Rita Coolidge recorded James Preston Pennington’s ‘The Closer You Get’, which was co-written with Mark Eugene Gray (Friday 24 October 1952 – Friday 2 December 2016), and included the track on ‘Heartbreak Radio’ (A&M Records, 1981).
In August 1981, Exile saw the release of ‘Heart & Soul’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1981), which was produced by Peter Coleman, and included the following tracks:
‘Heart & Soul’ (written by Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn) / this single failed to crack the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1981, peaking at No.102 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles Chart
‘Heart & Soul’ (written by Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn) was made famous by Huey Lewis & The News, who included the track on ‘Sports’ (Chrysalis Records, 1983); the track reached No.8 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in November 1983, and No.1 on the Billboard Top Tracks Chart in 1983
The music video featured Huey Lewis looking for, and leaving with, a woman in a dance club, with Huey Lewis & The News concert footage spliced in.
‘Take This Heart’ (written by James Preston Pennington)
‘Till The Very End’, which was written by Mark Eugene Gray (Friday 24 October 1952 – Friday 2 December 2016) and Sonny LeMaire
‘Can’t Love You Anymore’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Philip Copeland)
‘One More Night For Love’, which was written by Mark Eugene Gray (Friday 24 October 1952 – Friday 2 December 2016) and Sonny LeMaire
‘Baby, It’s Me’, which was written by Mark Eugene Gray (Friday 24 October 1952 – Friday 2 December 2016)
‘Werewolf of Love’, which was written by Mark Eugene Gray (Friday 24 October 1952 – Friday 2 December 2016), Sonny LeMaire and Kent Blazy
‘Dixie Girl’ (written by Sonny LeMaire and John Paine)
‘Someone Like You’, which was written by James Preston Pennington and Mark Eugene Gray (Friday 24 October 1952 – Friday 2 December 2016)
‘What Kind of Love Is This’ (written by Mark Burdick)
‘Still So In Love With You’ (written by James Preston Pennington)
Personnel involved in the recording of Exile’s ‘Heart & Soul’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1981) included the following:
James Preston Pennington and Les Taylor (guitar)
Sonny LeMaire (bass)
Steve Goetzman (drums)
Marlon Hargis (keyboards)
Andrea Robinson, Linda Lawley, Rusty Buchanan, Sue Richman, James Preston Pennington, Les Taylor, Mark Eugene Gray (Friday 24 October 1952 – Friday 2 December 2016), Marlon Hargis and Sonny LeMaire (vocals)
When Exile first emerged on the Billboard country music singles chart during 1983, the band had already notched a No.1 pop music single five years earlier, in 1978.
‘Kiss You All Over’ (written by Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn) was No.1 on the Billboard pop music singles chart for four weeks in September / October 1978, beginning Saturday 30 September 1978, and the song finished up as of the Billboard Top 5 pop records of the entire year.
‘Kiss You All Over’ (written by Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn) sold more than four million copies worldwide, but a year later, the group was on a downhill slide. Lead vocalist Jimmy Stokely left the group, and Exile charted only two more singles.
Two years after their ascension to the top of the pop music world, Exile struggled just to find work. They played locally in their hometown of Lexington, Kentucky, losing almost all contact with the record industry in Los Angeles. The one man who retained faith in the band was manager Jim Morey, a partner in Gallin Morey Associates, the same company which handled Dolly Parton.
Jim Morey suggested to Nashville producer Buddy Killen (Sunday 13 November 1932 – Wednesday 1 November 2006) that he work with the band, and Buddy Killen jumped at the chance.
At one time, Buddy Killen (Sunday 13 November 1932 – Wednesday 1 November 2006), along with Owen Bradley (Thursday 21 October 1915 – Wednesday 7 January 1998), recorded ‘Kiss You All Over’ (written by Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn), in a recording session with Bill Anderson, and had remained a fan of Exile.
Bill Anderson‘s version of ‘Kiss You All Over’ (written by Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn) was included on ‘Ladies’ Choice’ (MCA Records, 1979).
Buddy Killen (Sunday 13 November 1932 – Wednesday 1 November 2006) brought Exile to his downtown Nashville club, The Stockyard, on several occasions, to showcase the band for local record executives. It took a year before CBS division head Rick Blackburn signed the group to Epic Records.
Alabama recorded James Preston Pennington’s ‘Take Me Down’, which was co-written with Mark Eugene Gray (Friday 24 October 1952 – Friday 2 December 2016), and included the track on ‘Mountain Music’ (RCA Victor Records, 1982); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in July 1982, and reached No.18 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1982.
Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020) recorded James Preston Pennington’s ‘Take This Heart’ and included the track on ‘Love Will Turn You Around’ (Liberty Records, 1982).
Alabama recorded James Preston Pennington’s ‘The Closer You Get’, which was co-written with Mark Eugene Gray (Friday 24 October 1952 – Friday 2 December 2016), and included the track on ‘The Closer You Get’ (RCA Victor Records, 1983); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in July 1983, and reached No.38 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1983.
In October 1983, Exile saw the release of ‘Exile’ (Epic Records, 1983), which was produced by Buddy Killen (Sunday 13 November 1932 – Wednesday 1 November 2006), and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘High Cost of Leaving’, which was written by James Preston Pennington, Sonny LeMaire and Mark Eugene Gray (Friday 24 October 1952 – Friday 2 December 2016) (No.27, 1983)
‘Woke Up In Love’ (written by James Preston Pennington) (No.1 for one week in March 1984)
‘I Don’t Want To Be A Memory’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire) (No.1 for one week in July 1984)
Exile’s ‘Exile’ (Epic Records, 1983) also included the following tracks:
‘Take Me To The River’ (written by James Preston Pennington)
‘Red Dancing Shoes’, which was written by Mark Eugene Gray (Friday 24 October 1952 – Friday 2 December 2016) and Sonny LeMaire
‘We’ve Still Got Love’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire)
‘I Just Came Back To Break My Heart Again’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Larry Cordle)
‘This Could Be The Start of Something Good’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire)
‘After All These Years (I’m Still Chasing You)’ (written by James Preston Pennington)
‘Here I Go Again’ (written by James Preston Pennington)
Personnel involved in the recording of Exile’s ‘Exile’ (Epic Records, 1983) included the following:
James Preston Pennington and Les Taylor (vocal, guitar)
Sonny LeMaire (bass)
Steve Goetzman (drums)
Marlon Hargis (keyboards)
Exile’s ‘Exile’ (Epic Records, 1983) reached No.10 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1983.
In August 1984, Exile saw the release of ‘Kentucky Hearts’ (Epic Records, 1984), which was produced by Buddy Killen (Sunday 13 November 1932 – Wednesday 1 November 2006), and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Give Me One More Chance’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire) (No.1 for one week in November 1984)
‘Crazy For Your Love’ (written by Sonny LeMaire and James Preston Pennington) (No.1 for one week in March 1985)
‘She’s A Miracle’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire) (No.1 for one week in July 1985)
Exile’s ‘Kentucky Hearts’ (Epic Records, 1984) also included the following tracks:
‘I’ve Never Seen anything’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire)
‘You Make It Easy’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire)
‘Comin’ Apart At The Seams’ (written by Leslie Taylor and Jerry Marcum)
‘Just In Case’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire)
‘Somethin’ You Got’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire)
‘If I Didn’t Love You’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire)
‘Ain’t That A Pity’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire)
Personnel involved in the recording of Exile’s ‘Kentucky Hearts’ (Epic Records, 1984) included the following:
James Preston Pennington and Les Taylor (vocal, guitar)
Sonny LeMaire (bass)
Steve Goetzman (drums)
Marlon Hargis (keyboards)
Bergen White (arrangements)
Exile’s ‘Kentucky Hearts’ (Epic Records, 1984) reached No.1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1984.
In April 1985, Ronnie McDowell saw the release of ‘In A New York Minute’ (Epic Records, 1985), which was produced by Buddy Killen (Sunday 13 November 1932 – Wednesday 1 November 2006), and included the following tracks:
‘Betcha Gonna Miss My Lovin’ (written by Ronnie McDowell, Larry Meador and Bill Conn)
‘How Can I Love Her’ (written by Warren Keith)
‘I Think I Love Her’, which was written by Ronnie McDowell, Buddy Killen (Sunday 13 November 1932 – Wednesday 1 November 2006), Larry Meador and Bill Conn
‘In A New York Minute’ (written by Chris Waters, Michael Garvin and Tom Shapiro) (No.5, 1985)
‘She Lays Me Down’, which was written by Ronnie McDowell, Buddy Killen (Sunday 13 November 1932 – Wednesday 1 November 2006), Larry Meador and Bill Conn
‘Love Talks’ (written by Michael Garvin, Tom Shapiro and Bucky Jones) / this track, which featured guest vocals from Exile, reached No.9 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1985
‘I Never Lie To Ruby’ (written by Ron Hellard and Bucky Jones)
‘Habit Formin’ Love’, which was written by Ronnie McDowell, Buddy Killen (Sunday 13 November 1932 – Wednesday 1 November 2006), Larry Meador and Bill Conn
‘You’re The Best I Ever Had’, which was written by Joe Chambers (passed away on Wednesday 28 September 2022) and Larry Jenkins
‘I’m Burning My Little Black Book Tonight’ (written by Ron Hellard and Bucky Jones)
In July 1985, Exile saw the release of ‘Hang On To Your Heart’ (Epic Records, 1985), which was produced by Buddy Killen (Sunday 13 November 1932 – Wednesday 1 November 2006), and included five tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Hang On To Your Heart’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire) (No.1 for one week in November 1985)
‘I Could Get Used To You’ (written by Sonny LeMaire and James Preston Pennington) (No.1 for one week in March 1986)
‘Super Love’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire) (No.14, 1986)
‘It’ll Be Me’ (written by Sonny LeMaire and James Preston Pennington) (No.1 for one week in November 1986)
‘She’s Too Good To Be True’ (written by Sonny LeMaire and James Preston Pennington) (No.1 for one week in September 1987)
Exile’s ‘Hang On To Your Heart’ (Epic Records, 1985) also included the following tracks:
‘Promises, Promises’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire)
‘She Likes Her Lovin’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire)
‘Music’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire)
‘Practise Makes Perfect’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire)
‘Proud To Be Your Man’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire)
Personnel involved in the recording of Exile’s ‘Hang On To Your Heart’ (Epic Records, 1985) included the following:
James Preston Pennington and Les Taylor (vocal, guitar)
Sonny LeMaire (bass)
Steve Goetzman (drums)
Marlon Hargis (keyboards)
Bergen White (arrangements)
Exile’s ‘Hang On To Your Heart’ (Epic Records, 1985) reached No.2 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1985.
The Forester Sisters – Kathy, June, Kim and Christy Forester – recorded James Preston Pennington’s ‘Just In Case’ (co-written with Sonny LeMaire) and included the track on ‘The Forester Sisters’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1985); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in February 1986.
In May 1986, Exile saw the release of ‘Greatest Hits’ (Epic Records, 1986), which was produced by Buddy Killen (Sunday 13 November 1932 – Wednesday 1 November 2006), and included the following tracks:
‘Woke Up In Love’ (written by James Preston Pennington) (No.1 for one week in March 1984)
‘I Don’t Want To Be A Memory’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire) (No.1 for one week in July 1984)
‘Give Me One More Chance’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire) (No.1 for one week in November 1984)
‘She’s A Miracle’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire) (No.1 for one week in July 1985)
‘Hang On To Your Heart’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire) (No.1 for one week in November 1985)
‘Girl Can’t Help It’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire)
‘I Could Get Used To You’ (written by Sonny LeMaire and James Preston Pennington) (No.1 for one week in March 1986)
‘Crazy For Your Love’ (written by Sonny LeMaire and James Preston Pennington) (No.1 for one week in March 1985)
‘Super Love’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire) (No.14, 1986)
‘Kiss You All Over’ (written by Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn) (No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart for four weeks in September / October 1978)
Personnel involved in the recording of Exile’s ‘Greatest Hits’ (Epic Records, 1986) included the following:
James Preston Pennington and Les Taylor (vocal, guitar)
Sonny LeMaire (bass)
Steve Goetzman (drums)
Marlon Hargis (keyboards)
Bergen White (arrangements)
Exile’s ‘Greatest Hits’ (Epic Records, 1986) reached No.2 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1986.
In September 1987, Exile saw the release of ‘Shelter From The Night’ (Epic Records, 1987), which was produced by Elliot Scheiner, and included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘I Can’t Get Close Enough’ (written by Sonny LeMaire and James Preston Pennington) (No.1 for one week in January 1988)
‘Feel Like Foolin’ Around’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire) (No.60, 1988)
‘Just One Kiss’ (written by James Preston Pennington, Sonny LeMaire, Robert Smith and Laurence Tolhurst) (No.9, 1988)
‘It’s You Again’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire) (No.21, 1988)
Exile’s ‘Shelter From The Night’ (Epic Records, 1987) also included the following tracks:
‘Shelter From The Night’ (written by Michael Foster)
‘My Heart’s In Good Hands’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire)
‘Showdown’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire)
‘Fly On The Wall’ (written by Bernie Taupin, Bruce Hornsby and Colin Moulding)
‘She’s Already Gone’ (written by John Farrar)
‘As Long As I Have Your Memory’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire)
Personnel involved in the recording of Exile’s ‘Shelter From The Night’ (Epic Records, 1987) included the following:
James Preston Pennington and Les Taylor (vocal, guitar)
Sonny LeMaire (bass)
Steve Goetzman (drums)
Lee Carroll (keyboards)
Exile’s ‘Shelter From The Night’ (Epic Records, 1987), which was recorded at The Carriage House Studio in Stamford, Connecticut, reached No.13 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1987.
At the beginning of 1989, J.P. Pennington left Exile.
In February 1990, Exile, which consisted of Paul Martin (vocal, guitar, steel guitar, Dobro and mandolin), Randy Sharp (guitar, vocals), Russ Pahl (steel guitar), Sonny LeMaire (bass, vocals), Steve Goetzman (drums, percussion) and Lee Carroll (piano, keyboards), saw the release of ‘Still Standing’ (Arista Records, 1990), which was produced by Randy Sharp and Tim DuBois; one of the included tracks was ‘Keep It In The Middle of The Road’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire), which reached No.17 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1990.
Following his departure from Exile, J.P. Pennington signed to MCA Records as a solo artist, and saw the release of ‘Whatever It Takes’ (MCA Records, 1991), which included three tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Whatever It Takes’, which was written by Robert Byrne (Saturday 10 July 1954 – Monday 27 June 2005) and Will Robinson (No.45, 1991)
‘Old Familiar Ring’, which was written by Joseph Denton ‘Jay’ Miller (Friday 5 May 1922 – Saturday 23 March 1996) and James Preston Pennington / this track was released as a single in 1991, but it did not chart
‘You Gotta Get Serious’, which was written by James Preston Pennington, Troy Seals and Edward F. Setser (1945 – Monday 27 January 2020) (No.72, 1991)
J.P. Pennington’s ‘Whatever It Takes’ (MCA Records, 1991) also included the following tracks:
‘When Love Comes Knockin’ (written by James Preston Pennington)
‘Talkin’ ‘Bout A Heartache’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Troy Seals)
‘If I Were You’ (written by James Preston Pennington)
‘Night Is Fallin’ (In My Heart)’, which was written by Dennis Linde (Thursday 18 March 1943 – Friday 22 December 2006)
‘Blue Highway’ (written by James Preston Pennington)
‘What I Wouldn’t Give’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Troy Seals)
‘Whatcha Tryin’ To Do’ (written by James Preston Pennington)
Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020) recorded J.P. Pennington’s ‘Two Good Reasons’, which was co-written with Joseph Denton ‘Jay’ Miller (Friday 5 May 1922 – Saturday 23 March 1996), and included the track on ‘Back Home Again’ (Reprise Records, 1991).
In March 1993, Exile saw the release of ‘Super Hits’ (Epic Records, 1993), which was produced by Buddy Killen (Sunday 13 November 1932 – Wednesday 1 November 2006), and included the following tracks:
‘Take Me To The River’ (written by James Preston Pennington)
‘Woke Up In Love’ (written by James Preston Pennington) (No.1 for one week in March 1984)
‘It’ll Be Me’ (written by Sonny LeMaire and James Preston Pennington) (No.1 for one week in November 1986)
‘Just One Kiss’ (written by James Preston Pennington, Sonny LeMaire, Robert Smith and Laurence Tolhurst) (No.9, 1988)
‘I Can’t Get Close Enough’ (written by Sonny LeMaire and James Preston Pennington) (No.1 for one week in January 1988)
‘Super Love’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire) (No.14, 1986)
‘Feel Like Foolin’ Around’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire) (No.60, 1988)
‘It’s You Again’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire) (No.21, 1988)
‘My Heart’s In Good Hands’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire)
‘Kiss You All Over’ (written by Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn) (No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart for four weeks in September / October 1978)
Personnel involved in the recording of Exile’s ‘Super Hits’ (Epic Records, 1993), included the following:
James Preston Pennington and Les Taylor (vocal, guitar)
Sonny LeMaire (bass)
Steve Goetzman (drums)
Marlon Hargis (keyboards
In May 1995, Exile saw the release of ‘Latest & Greatest’ (Intersound Records, 1995), which was produced by Mike Chapman and Peter Coleman, and included the following tracks:
‘How Bad Can It Be’ (written by Sonny LeMaire and Mark Jones)
‘In The Blink of An Eye’ (written by Larry Winslow and Mark Jones)
‘Heart of Steel’ (written by Sonny LeMaire and Randy Sharp)
‘L-O-V-E Spells Trouble’ (written by Sonny LeMaire, Randy Sharp and Paul Martin)
‘Yet’ (written by Sonny LeMaire and Randy Sharp)
‘Nobody’s Talking’ (written by Sonny LeMaire and Randy Sharp)
‘Keep In The Middle of The Road’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire)
‘I Can’t Get Close Enough’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire)
‘Give Me One More Chance’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire)
‘Woke Up In Love’ (written by James Preston Pennington)
‘Kiss You All Over’ (written by Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn)
‘Super Love’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire) (dance mix)
Davis Daniel recorded J.P. Pennington’s ‘What I Wouldn’t Give’ (co-written with Troy Seals) and included the track on ‘I Know A Place’ (A&M Records, 1996).
M.C. Potts recorded J.P. Pennington’s ‘Gonna Live As Much As I Can’ (co-written with Hilary Kanter and Even Stevens) and included the track on ‘Straight To You’ (Avex Critique, 1996).
In 1996, Exile saw the release of ‘Something Good’ (Sony Music, 1996), which was produced by Mike Chapman and Peter Coleman, and included the following tracks:
‘Woke Up In Love’ (written by James Preston Pennington)
‘High Cost of Leaving’, which was written by James Preston Pennington, Sonny LeMaire and Mark Eugene Gray (Friday 24 October 1952 – Friday 2 December 2016)
‘Music’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire)
‘She’s A Miracle’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire)
‘I Don’t Want To Be A Memory’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire)
‘Comin’ Apart At The Seams’ (written by Leslie Taylor and Jerry Marcum)
‘I Could Get Used To You’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire)
‘This Could Be The Start of Something Good’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire)
‘Somethin’ You Got’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire)
‘Super Love’ (written by James Preston Pennington and Sonny LeMaire)
Rick Huckaby recorded J.P. Pennington’s ‘Sing It To You’ (co-written with Rick Huckaby) and included the track on ‘Call Me Huck’ (Headcoach Records, 2007).
Rick Huckaby recorded J.P. Pennington’s ‘Never Needed A Woman’ (co-written with Rick Huckaby) and included the track on ‘Call Me Huck’ (Headcoach Records, 2007).
Buffy Lawson recorded J.P. Pennington’s ‘Bread On A Table’ (co-written with Shane Minor and Sonny LeMaire) and included the track on ‘I’m Leaving You For Me’ (Wrinkled Records, 2012).
In 2023, Exile saw the release of ‘A Million Miles Later’ (Clearwater Records, 2023), which included the following tracks:
‘A Million Miles Later’ (written by J.P. Pennington, Sonny LeMaire and Sharon Vaughn)
‘Too Far Gone’ (written by J.P. Pennington and Sonny LeMaire)
‘After You’ (written by Sonny LeMaire, J.P. Pennington and Paul Jefferson)
‘Daydreamin’ (written by J.P. Pennington, Suzie Pennington, Jessie Pennington Brassfield and Chadley Brassfield)
‘Keep On Pushin’ (written by J.P. Pennington, Sonny LeMaire and Sharon Vaughn)
‘Valentine Sky’ (written by Sonny LeMaire and Sharon Vaughn)
‘Nothin’ But A Thang’ (written by J.P. Pennington, Sonny LeMaire and Sharon Vaughn)
‘Paint The Town’ (written by J.P. Pennington, Sonny LeMaire and Sharon Vaughn)
‘This Ain’t Nothin’ (written by J.P. Pennington, Sonny LeMaire and Sharon Vaughn)
‘Rough Around The Edges’ (written by J.P. Pennington, Les Taylor and Larry Cordle)
‘Nothin’ But Sunshine Now’ (written by Sonny LeMaire, Clay Mills and Mark Selby)
‘Never Lets Go’ (written by J.P. Pennington, Sonny LeMaire and Sharon Vaughn)
‘Down In Cold Water’ (written by J.P. Pennington, Sonny LeMaire and Sharon Vaughn) / this track featured guest vocals from The Isaacs
‘Just To Get Home’ (written by J.P. Pennington, Sonny LeMaire and Sharon Vaughn)
‘Sugar Free’ (written by J.P. Pennington and Sonny LeMaire)
‘Sixteen Tons’, which was written by Merle Travis (Thursday 29 November 1917 – Thursday 20 October 1983) / the original version of this track was recorded by Merle Travis at the Radio Recorders Studio B in Hollywood, California, on Thursday 8 August 1946; the track, which featured Cliffie Stone (Thursday 1 March 1917 – Saturday 17 January 1998) on bass, was first released in July 1947 by Capitol Records on Merle Travis’ ‘Folk Songs of The Hills’ (Capitol Records, 1947), and became a ‘Gold’ record.
Tennessee Ernie Ford (Thursday 13 February 1919 – Thursday 17 October 1991) recorded Merle Travis’ ‘Sixteen Tons’ in 1955 as the B-side of his cover of the Moon Mullican (Monday 29 March 1909 – Sunday 1 January 1967) standard, ‘You Don’t Have To Be A Baby To Cry’. With Tennessee Ernie Ford’s snapping fingers and a unique clarinet-driven pop arrangement, it quickly became a million seller. The song hit Billboard’s country music chart in November 1955 and held the No.1 position for ten weeks; it then crossed over and held the No.1 position on the Billboard pop music singles chart for eight weeks. In the United Kingdom, Tennessee Ford’s version was No.1 for four weeks in January / February 1956.
On Wednesday 25 March 2015, Tennessee Ernie Ford’s version of Merle Travis’ ‘Sixteen Tons’ was inducted into the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry. In 2002, ‘Sixteen Tons’ was played at the beginning of the Emmy-winning television Film, ‘Door To Door’. In 2023, ‘Sixteen Tons’ was included on the soundtrack of Wes Anderson’s 2023 film, ‘Asteroid City’.
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