When I see what I want to see when you’re in front of me, I dream of possibilities and I think you feel the same way . . . are lyrics that will make any girl swoon, and the band members, five sweet, Southern guys from West Tennessee aren’t too shabby either.
This song, “Let’s Just Say” by Exit 42, is one of many that led to their remarkable win at the Rockstar Band Battle at Bluesboro this past April, a competition more than 30 bands entered. This win was well deserved for a band that has been playing together for 13 years this month. Meaning that these guys in their mid-to-late 20s, have been jamming together before they even hit puberty.
“We started the band when Mark [Spain, drummer] met a girl at the Bluegrass Music Festival off exit 42 and made a song about her,” Andy Brown, guitar and vocalist, said, remembering their start. “We were actually a band before we could play anything. [In the beginning] I had to run and ask my mom how to tune my guitar during our practices.”
With the exception of Patrick Johnson, guitar and vocalist, they all grew up playing music together in Milan and Humboldt, Tenn.
David Rhodes says he had no musical background until he started playing the saxophone for the band at age 15. Brothers Ben and Andy Brown on the other hand, grew up with a mom who is both a vocalist and pianist and once opened for the notorious Willie Nelson with the Dedmon Family Band in the 1970s.
The music, which the band calls pop-rock, is influenced by artists such as Aerosmith and the Beatles. However, I would say their classic rock sound has some subtle Southern-style soul and blues, heard in songs like “Mississippi” and “You and I.”
Brian Lowery, one of three vocalists, has the deep voice that is comparative to that of some renowned blues musicians, while Andy has a higher pitched rock edge to his voice. Along with talented vocals, the band is extremely instrumental, thus being able to pull off many genres.
Which of your favorite rock bands are accompanied by saxophone and a harmonica along with the requirements of bass, guitar and drums? If I would have to guess, not many.
Robert Barber, band mentor and a regular on harmonica, says he’s been playing music for 40 years now and these guys really know their stuff.
In the past seven years Exit 42 has put out two albums, Sure Am Glad It’s Raining and Life and Times, with a third one, Trash and Poetry, set for release in mid-September.
They say they wouldn’t have been able to do it without the support of many people, including their creative consultant, Allen Haynes, owner of the Music Stop, and the people who help give them a place to play such as Missy at Coconut Bay and Rob and Emily at Bluesboro.
Though the band loves playing locally, they also hope to expand their horizons beyond the Southeast.
“Any opportunity to tour and become bigger, we’ll do it,” Andy said. “In the next few years we’ll hopefully be touring with a label and have another CD in the works.”
So go see these guys locally while you still can. They will be playing all summer long at locations throughout the Middle Tennessee area. For more information on the band and their music, visit myspace.com/exits42.
