FRANKLIN, Tenn. — A Perry County native and former member of country and soft rock band Exile, has died.

Bernie Faulkner died on Sunday, Dec. 1, in Franklin, Tenn.

Faulkner joined the band in 1967, replacing former keyboardist Buzz Cornelison and also contributing on guitar and saxophone. He would remain with the band until 1973.

During Faulkner’s tenure with the band, they toured the country with Dick Clark’s Caravan of Stars three times and landed a deal with Columbia Records in 1969.

After leaving the band, Faulkner remained active in music as a producer and songwriter, earning a gold record for Tracy Lawrence’s “April’s Fool.”

Faulkner was 77 years old at the time of his passing.