Music won over sports because Ben Maile just loves playing the guitar

By Andy Furman
NKyTribune reporter

One carries a bat. The other, an acoustic guitar.

On this night, it was the guitar-carrying brother who was making all the noise – singing – as well as playing that guitar — at Boots and Brews – the fundraising event for The Point/Arc, staged at the Newport Car Barn on Saturday.

The Point/Arc – now in year 52 – has been an organization servicing individuals diagnosed with an intellectual and developmental (I/DD) disability. The mission – to help people with disabilities achieve their highest potential educationally, socially, residentially, and vocationally.

Ben Maile is that guitar-playing and singing brother, who entertained the crowd along with the Derek Alan Band.

You may have heard of his big brother – Luke – who plays baseball for the Cincinnati Reds.

“I just loved music,” 30-year-old Ben said. “I started playing acoustic guitar in fifth grade. I took lessons at Music House and Sarah Wilke was my teacher.”

For those who might question, the acoustic guitar is in the string family, and when a string is plucked, its vibration is transmitted from the bridge, resonating throughout the top of the guitar.

Ben had some athleticism as well. “I played freshman football at Covington Catholic High School; and broke my femur bone that same season.”

That was, pardon the pun — the break he needed.

“I got a spot in band as a drummer. I continued playing baseball, and eventually played at Lindsey Wilson College (Columbia, Ky). I left after a year,” he said.

Music won over baseball. He finished his college studies at the University of Kentucky, but all the while he continued his music.

“My first (drum) gig,” he remembers, “was at the St. Joe’s Festival. My first guitar gig was at Barbz on Monmouth Street in Newport.”

He said he just started showing up on Wednesday evenings, and people would ask where he was when he was a no-show.

“I learned how to be a front man back then,” he said. “I started with about 30 songs; now I’m up to about 250.”

Luke went the baseball route — all the way to the top – but Ben was not too far behind.

“We are four-years apart,” he said. “In fact, I played baseball with him my freshman year at Cov. Cath. My problem, I loved music, and I wasn’t a real big kid.

“I thought I had some really big shoes to fill growing up,” he said. “I just liked music a little bit more.”

The overflow crowd at the Boots and Brews fundraiser seemed to like his music as well

Ben says his music is still a hobby and a bit of a money maker; but his full-time work is with the family business – Maile Tekulve & Gray – residential and commercial building and remodeling.

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