EXILE TURNS ONE NIGHT IN CABO INTO A 20 YEAR LOVE STORY WITH NEW SINGLE “HABANERO”

Tequila, flirtation, and undeniable chemistry turn one night in Cabo into something built to last.

NASHVILLE, TN. – (Sept. 18, 2026) – American country rock legends and Kentucky Music Hall of Fame inductees, Exile, have announced the release of their third single, “Habanero,” off their forthcoming album Look Out Heart. Fueled by a little tequila, a chance encounter, and a whole lot of heat, “Habanero” turns an unforgettable night in Cabo into a playful love story built to last. What begins with margaritas, flirtation, and the irresistible pull of two strangers quickly reveals a much bigger story, jumping ahead 20 years to a couple who still has the same spark that started it all. Clever, fun, and undeniably catchy, “Habanero” blends romance, humor, and a sun-soaked escape into a song about finding the kind of chemistry that never cools down.

The new music is available today on all major streaming services in collaboration with StarVista Music. Download and stream the latest project on all digital platforms HERE.

“Habanero” brings together an impressive trio of hitmakers led by Exile’s Sonny LeMaire, a BMI Country Songwriter of the Year honoree whose songwriting career includes 10 No. 1 hits and 17 BMI Country and Pop Awards. LeMaire reunites with acclaimed songwriter Clay Mills, his collaborator on Diamond Rio’s No. 1 hit “Beautiful Mess,” which earned the pair a GRAMMY nomination and garnered LeMaire a BMI Million Air Award recognizing four million broadcast performances. Mills is a 16-time ASCAP award-winning songwriter, two-time GRAMMY nominee, and Mississippi Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee with more than 150 major artist cuts. Rounding out the powerhouse writing team is acclaimed hit songwriter Liz Hengber, whose extensive catalog includes multiple chart-topping songs and cuts by some of country music’s biggest artists. Together, LeMaire, Mills and Hengber bring decades of proven hitmaking experience to “Habanero,” delivering a playful, clever song with all the heat and unmistakable chemistry its title promises.

“My co-writers and I stumbled onto this fun idea of using the word ‘habanero’ to describe a beautiful woman with a little heat and spice. From there, we imagined a beach at sunset, some tequila and a couple caught up in the romance of the moment. Two hours later, we had ‘Habanero.’ We had such a great time writing this song, and we hope couples and anyone who’s ever been in love have just as much fun listening to it as we did creating it,” Sonny LeMaire of Exile shared.

The new recording features original members Sonny LeMaire (bass guitar/harmony vocals), JP Pennington (electric guitars/percussion, lead vocal /acoustic guitar), Marlon Hargis (keyboards/vocals), Steve Goetzman (drums), and Les Taylor (acoustic guitars/harmony vocals).

Exile continues to captivate audiences worldwide with a career marked by chart-topping hits and unforgettable performances featuring their stellar musicianship and signature soulful harmonies.

EXILE Tour Dates:
09-18-26 – The Vine at Chenault Vineyards – Richmond, KY
09-26-26 – Covered Bridge Days Festival – Elizabethton, TN
10-03-26 – Harris Park – Dunlap, TN
10-09-26 – Georgia Mountain Fair, Anderson Music Hall – Hiawassee, GA
02-28-27 – Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts Concert Hall – Conway, AR
03-13-27 – ’70s Rock and Romance Cruise 2027 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
03-14-27 – ’70s Rock and Romance Cruise 2027 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
03-15-27 – ’70s Rock and Romance Cruise 2027 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
03-16-27 – ’70s Rock and Romance Cruise 2027 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
03-17-27 – ’70s Rock and Romance Cruise 2027 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
03-18-27 – ’70s Rock and Romance Cruise 2027 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
03-19-27 – ’70s Rock and Romance Cruise 2027 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
03-20-27 – ’70s Rock and Romance Cruise 2027 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Produced by JP Pennington and Sonny LeMaire, the track was recorded at two iconic studios: Tower Station Studio in Lexington, Kentucky, where Jeff Myers engineered the initial sessions, and The DAWg Houze in Gallatin, Tennessee, with Tony Cottrill behind the board for additional recording. The song was expertly mixed by Paul Scholten at County Q in Nashville, Tennessee, and mastered by Mike Purcell at the same facility, ensuring a polished, radio-ready sound that shines with Exile’s trademark energy and musicianship.

Stay up to date with Exile on their official website and social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Stream and download their music on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, YouTube Music, and watch videos on their official artist YouTube channel HERE.

About Exile:
Formed in 1963 in Richmond, Kentucky, Exile rose from playing local clubs to topping both the pop and country charts, with 18 hits collectively, including 11 No. 1s during their 60-year-long career. Their iconic smash 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 had ten No. 1 singles, including “Woke Up In Love” and “Give Me One More Chance.” The hit song “Kiss You All Over” was used in the 1996 Adam Sandler movie Happy Gilmore and the 2006 film Employee of the Month, among others. They have written hit songs for other major label artists, including Alabama, Diamond Rio, and Restless Heart. The five original Exile members reformed in 2008 and continue to tour today. Current band members include J.P. Pennington, Les Taylor, Sonny LeMaire, Marlon Hargis, and Steve Goetzman. In 2023, Exile celebrated its 60th anniversary as a band and the 45th anniversary of the hit song “Kiss You All Over.” They continue to tour, promoting their most recent album, A Million Miles Later, released in August 2023, and the recent album release, Exile Hits Anniversary Edition.