T.G. Sheppard, Exile to perform at Sky Casino

By Jim Tiffin
Cibola County Bureau

T.G. Sheppard

PUEBLO OF ACOMA — It is being billed as the "Nothing But Hits" tour for T.G. Sheppard and the band Exile.

Both will be appearing in one show only at Sky City Hotel Casino Friday night.

Sheppard said he will perform all his hits, as will Exile.

His most recent CD, "Timeless," a compilation of classic American songs from the 1930s through the 1950s reflects Sheppard's passion, and some of the classic songs from that CD will be performed, especially his favorite, "The Very Thought of You," he said.

Sheppard is now with Destiny Records, an independent label based in Nashville.

Sheppard began the music business as a teenager and opened for such acts at the Beach Boys, The Animals, and Jan and Dean.

"But my friend Waylon Jennings talked me into going country," he said.

"Waylon is the reason I am country today," he said.

Some of Sheppard's number one hits include "Only One You," "Party Time" and "War is Hell (On the Homefront)." These were just some of a string of 10 consecutive number one songs in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Sheppard said met he Elvis Presley as a teenager, and Elvis befriended him.

"He gave me my first tour bus and encouraged me to go on the road," he said.

"That gave me the confidence to go on the road full time.

"I lived with Elvis at Graceland for seven years," he said. During that time, Sheppard was working in the promotion side of music.

Sheppard has taped a one hour pilot of a musical variety show called "T.G. Tonight," he said.

"We haven't placed it yet (on a network or cable outlet), but we are looking and hope to have it on the air this fall," he said.

The first guests are the Oak Ridge Boys, Larry Gatlin and a special tour of Graceland.

Sheppard said his music has its roots in the south, with R&B, pop and gospel.

"We call it Delta Country," he said.

Exile
J.P. Pennington, the only original member of Exile remaining with the band said the group will perform about 60 times this year.

"Getting up on stage and playing in front of people is what I like about being on the road," he said. The only part of the road he said he doesn't like is getting there and back.

"I like meeting people in different places and we are looking forward to coming out there Friday."

Pennington said the group is working on putting together a new CD, for release late this year or early 2008.

"We haven't picked the songs yet and there is no name for it yet," he said. But, the band's distinct style of music, a blend of country and R&B, will remain the same for this new CD as all of the group's previous recordings.

In a show that is scheduled to be about 45-50 minutes, Exile will play most of its hits and a new song or two from "I Can't Be Your Fool," the group's most recent CD.

One song the band will certainly perform from is "I Didn't Ask She Didn't Say," he said.

Exile's style has not changed much with the times, he said.

The band, even through changes in members, has stayed the course, true to its roots in country and R&B, Pennington said.

In 1983 there were four consecutive number one hits for Exile: "I Don't Want To Be A Memory," "Crazy for Your Love," "Woke Up In Love" and "Give Me One More Chance."

During the next four years, Exile hit the top of the country charts with six more number one country hits: "Hang On To Your Heart," "She's A Miracle," "I Could Get Used to You," "She's Too Good to be True," "I Can't Get Close Enough" and "It'll Be Me."

It's been more than 40 years since Pennington and others formed the band, originally called the "Exiles."

Pennington's wife Susie, a former singer, is the road manager, and she said she likes to make sure everything is taken care of for the band so it only has to concentrate on its music.

"We want to tour a lot, work a lot. We like to try to always write and play better songs for our public," Pennington said.

"Musically I don't see us much different from where we are now," he said, looking five years down the road.

The group plans to continue performing live and recording. The new CD will be on a new record label but because it has not yet been finalized, Pennington could not say which label

The show begins at 9 p.m., and both Sheppard and Exile will perform for about 45-50 minutes each with a short intermission.

Tickets are $25 for preferred seating and $15 for reserved. Player's Club members receive discounts and hotel packages are available at a special reduced price. Tickets are available by calling 1-888-SKY-CITY.

To contact reporter Jim Tiffin, call (505) 287-2197 or e-mail: jtiffin.independent@yahoo.com.