Music won over sports because Ben Maile simply loves playing guitar

By Andy Furman
NKyTribune reporter

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

That night it was the brother with the guitar who was making all the noise at Boots and Brews – the fundraiser for The Point/Arc held at the Newport Car Barn on Saturday – singing and also playing guitar.

The Point/Arc – now in 52 – is an organization that serves individuals diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The mission is to help people with disabilities achieve their highest potential in educational, social, residential and professional life.

Ben Maile is the guitar playing and singing brother who entertained the audience 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,” said Ben, 30. “I started playing acoustic guitar in fifth grade. I took lessons at the Music House and Sarah Wilke was my teacher.”

For those asking, the acoustic guitar is part of the string family, and when a string is plucked, its vibration is transmitted by the bridge and resonates throughout the top of the guitar.

Ben was also athletic. “I played freshman football at Covington Catholic High School; and broke my femur that same season.”

This was, pardon the pun – the break he needed.

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

Music defeated baseball. He completed his college studies at the University of Kentucky, but continued to pursue music on the side.

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

He said he didn’t show up until Wednesday night and people asked where he was when he didn’t show up.

“I learned to be a frontman back then,” he said. “I started with about 30 songs; Now I’m at about 250.”

Luke went the baseball route – all the way to the top – but Ben wasn’t too far behind.

“We’re four years apart,” he said. “In fact, I played baseball with him my first year at Cov. Kath. My problem, I loved music and wasn’t really a big kid.

“I thought I had some big shoes to fill as an adult,” he said. “I just liked music a little more.”

The overflow crowd at the Boots and Brews fundraiser also seemed to enjoy his music

Ben says his music is still a hobby and a bit of a money maker; However, his main job is with the family business Maile Tekulve & Gray, the construction and renovation of residential and commercial buildings.