Out & About

Wheeling Jamboree Welcomes Exile, Show Benefits Ignite Hope

WHEELING -- This weekend, the world famous Wheeling Jamboree is presenting one of its traditional stage broadcasts from the Capitol Theatre at 7 pm. Saturday, May 25, in Wheeling.

Doors open at 6 p.m.

This Jamboree is featuring the headline group Exile, which has a string of chart-topping singles in its repertoire.

They have toured with acts including Aerosmith, Fleetwood Mac, The Oak Ridge Boys, Kenny Rogers and The Judds. The five original Exile members re-formed in 2008 and continue to tour today.

One of their other big hits was a crossover song titled "Super Love" that the band will perform during the show on May 25.

A portion of the proceeds from the show will support Ignite Hope of the Ohio Valley. The mission of Ignite Hope is to bring awareness and knowledge in order to generate action and to combat the horrific crime of human trafficking in the local and surrounding communities.

"I felt this would be a great theme to allow the Jamboree to show some 'Super Love' to Ignite Hope, by allowing us to share some of the ticket sale proceeds from our nonprofit to further the charitable purpose of Ignite Hope and its mission," said David Heath, president of Wheeling Jamboree Inc.

Since the Jamboree became a nonprofit charity in 2007, it has not yet had the ability to support another nonprofit charity in this manner, but with this weekend's show and in light of the efforts of Ignite Hope, the community has a chance to help a great cause while enjoying a night of top-notch entertainment.

Exile formed in 1963, looking to play small clubs in Richmond, Kentucky, but managed to top both the pop and country charts during their 60-year-long career. Their most successful 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 has successfully had 10 No. 1 singles, including "I Don't Want To Be A Memory" and "Give Me One More Chance." The hit song "Kiss You All Over" was used in the 1996 Adam Sandler movie "Happy Gilmore" and in the 2006 film "Employee of the Month."

They have toured with acts including Aerosmith, Fleetwood Mac, The Oak Ridge Boys, Kenny Rogers and The Judd's. The five original Exile members re-formed in 2008 and continue to tour today. Current members of the band include J.P. Pennington, Les Taylor, Sonny LeMaire, Marlon Hargis and Steve Goetzman. Last year marked 60 years for the band and the 45th anniversary of the hit song "Kiss You All Over."

The award-winning Larry Stephenson Band has been entertaining audiences for 33 years and includes numerous performances on the Grand Ole Opry, The Wheeling Jamboree, RFD-TV, while headlining festivals and concerts across the U.S. and Canada. The group is led by Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame member and five-time Society for The Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America (SPBGMA) Male Vocalist of the Year. They also inducted Stephenson into their Hall of Greats in 2018. With numerous IBMA and SPBGMA nominations and awards, Stephenson records for his family owned label, Whysper Dream Music. In 2019 Stephenson was inducted as a member of the Wheeling Jamboree recognizing his numerous performances on the show with his father's band throughout the '70s.

Tristen Smith, affectionately known as "T-Bone," as a young music performer in the Ohio Valley returns home to play the legendary Wheeling Jamboree. Tristen moved to Nashville in 2010 to attend Belmont University and pursue a career in music. He has had the opportunity to play music all over the globe and performed in some of the most celebrated venues, including The Grand Ole Opry.

At the age of just 15, he was included in the official lineup of Jamboree In The Hills. Currently, Tristen and his wife, Madison, perform and release music as the country duo, Lazy Jane. Their most recent single "Ghost in the Getaway Car" is available on all digital platforms. Tristen also currently serves as the lead guitarist for other country artists, including Morgan Evans.

JoAnn Jones is an established country music vocalist and recording artist, based in the Wheeling area. She is a longtime member of the Jamboree, first becoming a fan favorite on the weekly Jamboree USA shows and Jamboree In The Hills annual festival. Throughout her career she's performed around the United States, Canada and Central America at a variety of venues, radio shows, TV shows and churches. Inspirational music is the central part of her singing career delivering the gospel message in song wherever she performs.

Behind the vocalist of the show are veteran members of the Jamboree staff band and artist members themselves that includes this stellar lineup, including vocalist and drummer Chad Smith, steel guitarist Jim Thompson, multi-instrumentalist Jamie Peck and on bass guitar, Mike Mazure.

"It's a great night of wholesome family entertainment for all ages sharing the tradition of the Jamboree's 90 years in Wheeling," Heath said.

For tickets or additional information, visit www.WheelingJamboree.org or www.CapitolTheatreWheeling.com.