Country singer Sammy Sadler continues to honor the golden era of ’80s and ’90s country with the release of his latest single, “I Can’t Get Close Enough.” Originally penned by J.P. Pennington and Sonny LeMaire and recorded by Exile, the song became the group’s tenth No. 1 hit in 1987, spending fourteen weeks on the country charts.
Sadler’s fresh version pays tribute to that timeless sound while including a special appearance from Exile members Sonny LeMaire, J.P. Pennington, and Les Taylor, who appear on the track courtesy of Clear Water Records. The single officially premieres today, here at Country Evolution.
Listen Now
Sadler on Recording the Single
“Recording ‘I Can’t Get Close Enough’ has been such a special experience for me,” shares Sadler. “This song reflects the classic sounds of the ’80s and ’90s that I grew up on and have always loved. If you listen closely, you’ll even hear some very familiar voices—Sonny LeMaire, JP Pennington, and Les Taylor of EXILE—who graciously appeared on this recording courtesy of Clear Water Records. To have their support on a remake of one of their own hits makes this single even more meaningful.”
Exile also shared their thoughts on Sadler and the song. “Sammy has had more than his share of adversity and has found a way to persevere and keep believing in his dream of making music. We, Exile, are honored that he has recorded our song and that he asked us to sing harmony vocals as well. Sammy, you’ve done us proud!”
Fans can stream or purchase the single here.
Building on Momentum
Sadler’s previous release, “If I Had a Cheating Heart,” also drew inspiration from a beloved classic. First recorded by Mel Street in 1978 and later re-recorded by Ricky Lynn Gregg in 1993, the track was written by Wayland Holyfield and Al Turney. Sadler’s interpretation resonated strongly with fans of traditional country and was premiered by Dillon Weldon and The Drifting Cowboy Podcast.
With “I Can’t Get Close Enough,” Sadler once again proves his ability to bring fresh life to iconic songs while staying true to his traditional country roots.
Sammy Sadler’s Journey
Sadler’s career has been shaped by both triumph and tragedy. He first gained national attention in 1989 with his charting versions of “Tell It Like It Is” and “You Made It Easy,” only to have his momentum cut short when he was seriously wounded in the same shooting that claimed the life of Cash Box chart director Kevin Hughes, an incident later referred to as the “Murder on Music Row.”
After years away from the spotlight, Sadler returned in 2004 with Hard On a Heart and continued his comeback with Heart Shaped Like Texas in 2009. His 2021 project 1989 featured collaborations with T. Graham Brown, Marty Raybon of Shenandoah, and Larry Stewart of Restless Heart and The Frontmen. In 2019, he revisited his story in the memoir A Hit With A Bullet.
Today, Sadler remains active in the studio while also performing select dates with songwriter Dave Gibson (Tanya Tucker, Alabama, Joe Diffie) on their “Hits & History Tour.”
Looking Ahead
With the release of “I Can’t Get Close Enough,” premiering exclusively with Country Evolution, Sadler is not only celebrating the timeless sound of Exile but also bridging the gap between generations of country music fans. His respect for tradition and commitment to authentic storytelling continue to shine as he prepares for his next album release.For more information, visit sammysadler.com or follow Sammy Sadler on social media.
