The Nightcaps
The Nightcaps hailed from Columbia, Tennessee, and made a splash in Nashville from 1965-1970.
History[edit | edit source]
The Nightcaps were preceded in 1964 by The Malibus.
They played gigs at Willow Plunge, Vanderbilt Fraternities, The Holiday Inn on Murfreesboro Road, lots of parties at MTSU, in Columbia, The Cellar in Shelbyville, and backed up B.J Thomas, Brian Hyland, and Ronnie Dove at The Auto Show in the Municipal Auditorium. They appeared with The Charades, The Exotics, and other Nashville-based groups at Battles of the Bands at skating rinks and other venues. They were also on Channel 5’s Saturday Dance Party, a la American Bandstand. When the ‘Caps hit the big time and were represented by Talent, Etc., as an agent, their name changed to MANN. MANN recorded “Born St. Louis” for Capitol, and went on the road, touring the Southeast states in concerts in Knoxville, Charlotte, Nashville, Crossville, Huntsville, Atlanta, and MTSU’s arena. As MANN, they opened for acts such as B.J. Thomas, Brian Hyland, Ronnie Dove, and others.
When Jimmy Holder left the band to join the Air Force in 1969, he was replaced on sax by Jim Ledbetter of Chattanooga, a friend of the group’s at MTSU.
Blake Pennington was drafted in 1969 and died in a tragic auto accident following his two-year tour in Vietnam. Original guitarist Jimmy Kelley was also drafted, but was discovered to have leukemia while in Basic Training at Ft Campbell, KY. He was discharged, but passed away in the early 70’s.
In 1989, The Nightcaps reformed for a Reunion, and held a Reunion Concert in Columbia at The American Legion Hall in June. Original group members were Ron Bass, Al Clark, Bobby Carpenter, Ray Journey, and Rick Beziat. Following the reunion, the ‘Caps managed to continue playing in Nashville, Ft Campbell, Shelbyville, Columbia, Franklin, Murfreesboro and throughout the state until 1991. Bobby passed away from a heart attack in 2002.
They should not be confused with the Dallas band that recorded "Wine, Wine, Wine" in the early 60s.
Members[edit | edit source]
Blake Pennington - Bass guitar
Jimmy Kelley - guitar
Bobby Carpenter - keyboards, trumpet, and vocals
Ray Journey - guitar
Ron Bass - guitar
Al Notgrass Clark - drums and vocals
The 1967 version of The Nightcaps also included:
Charlie West- trombone
Rich Beziat- guitar and vocals
Jimmy Holder- sax
Jim Ledbetter- sax, replacing Jimmy Holder in 1969
The 1964 Malibus lineup:
Burt Hewgley (later of Hewgley’s Music Shop), Al Clark, Ron Bass, Jeff Cook, Johnny Earwood, and keyboardist Roy Paul.