Wayne Kelley

Photo Contributed

Wayne Kelley and Retroville perform at a venue.

More than just entertainment to Kelley

* Story by Ivan Sanders & Photos Contributed *

For most, being on a stage to provide entertainment is something that simply just doesn’t fit into their line of passions in life. It takes a special person that is willing to expose themselves to being critiqued day in and day out while struggling at times to find outlets to share their particular line of entertainment.

Then there are those like Wayne Kelley whose love for music has been a constant driving force to finding a stage at venues that he and his band can occupy for a space of time entertaining those who have developed a deep liking for the vocals that Kelley has provided for over 37 years alongside his band.

Whether the setlist is off the cuff when Kelley and his group Retroville hit the stage playing familiar rock tunes that have come to be recognizable just as soon as a few strums of the melody rifts off a guitar to familiar songs performed by the ultra-successful country group Alabama when Kelley and Song of the South take the stage during a set, the sound is undeniable.

Kelley went as far as saying that the band’s slogan when they take the stage as Retroville is simply, “We don’t know what we’re gonna do when we get there. We get on stage and do what we do. Then we don’t remember what we did while we were on it.”

For Kelley, it doesn’t matter which style is being played on what night — it’s just about being with the guys in the band and playing music. Altogether, there are 210 years of combined experience that comes together on stage

Photo Contributed

Wayne Kelley belts out a tune at a Retroville concert in downtown Gate City, Va.

Photo Contributed Daniel Thacker strums out chords on the bass for Retroville.

Photo Contributed

Jerry Hanger has had years of experience traveling as a musician. Here he provides drums and vocals to a Retroville concert. Photo Contributed Mike Thacker getting ready to jam with Retroville.

to provide entertainment for their audience.

It is easy to see why the group has such a following when looking more in-depth at the band members who make up Retroville and Song of the South.

It begins with Jerry Hanger who plays drums and the guitar while also adding vocals. Hanger has been a professional touring road musician most of his career and founded the Mailmen in Johnson City where he planted his roots.

Then there are the Thacker brothers — Mike, who plays guitar and provides vocals, and Daniel, who is a bass guitarist and drummer.

Both have been playing since 1978 and have provided entertainment everywhere from cakewalks to festivals in their 42 years of playing experience.

Don Stevens, who is a part of the Song of the South band, also has a long career as a professional road musician since 1981 — a career spanning 39 years.

Stevens was the guitarist for Chad Brock, who had the number one song called Yes!

What continues to drive Kelley to perform nightly is a simple equation of a passion for music and seeing those who come out to the shows smiling and happy when they leave.

Kelley loves to see the audience engaged and participating in the music which is a prime indicator as to how the group is being received. The group doesn’t take lightly what it does and truly enjoys entertaining those who take a couple of hours to spend their time enjoying the same music as the band does.

The band to Kelley is not just a group of guys playing music but it goes much farther as Kelley says, “The best thing I can say about all these guys is they are

Photo Contributed

Wayne Kelley and his band Song of the South perform songs in tribute to the popular country group Alabama.

Photo Contributed Wayne Kelley and members of Song of the South.

great men and my best friends!! It doesn’t get any better in a band.” As far as the future goes, Kelley foresees the status quo as the band will continue to search out venues and events to come together for a time of good music and fun for their following which continues to grow with each show performed. Entertainers don’t grow old, they are just like a fine wine — they get better as time goes on and that is how Kelley sees Retroville and Song of the South.

As for Kelley, he will continue to search out opportunities for him and his band to get before an audience to spread happiness and smiles through the passion he has to share music as an entertainer.