Mention The Exotics to many Franklin, Nashville and Middle Tennessee
natives who were coming of age in the '60s and early '70s and they
immediately recall good times at high school dances, outdoor driveway
"combos" at a friend's house, summer pool parties at Willow Plunge and
college fraternity and sorority events. The original Exotics were
friends from Franklin and Columbia Tennessee, three of whom attended
Battle Ground Academy. When paired with the Spidels, four Nashville
soul singers who performed sets backed by the Exotics, it became a
not-to-miss happening, The Exotics were known throughout the Southeast
and, in addition to dances, performed half time shows in venues from
Neyland Stadium, Vanderbilt Stadium and even in the old Sugar Bowl
Stadium in New Orleans. Three of the original four Exotics are still
together and are beginning to play again following the death of Billy
Adair who started the band 50 years ago. The fun and joy of the music
from this era is hard to ignore so the band is moving forward to
continue its legacy. Prioir to Billy's death, he, along with Jeff
Cook, Glenn Crowell, and Loy Hardcastle played together on a dozen
gigs a year, along with Robert Early and Steve Smartt, who joined The
Exotics horn section in the late '60s. Recent gigs have found them at
wedding receptions, school reunions, birthday parties, anniversaries,
and street festivals. Among the more popular appearances have been
club dates at the Mercy Lounge on a double bill with their friends in
another Nashville '60s band, The Charades. Wherever The Exotics play
it's a time to "party with everybody you ever knew" and the dance
floor is always crowded. Proceeds from this event will benefit The
Billy Adair Fund for Jazz.
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concerts
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19/05/2015 Last update