History

Lonestar began in 1992 as a five-piece band consisting of lead singer Richie McDonald, guitarist Michael Britt, bassist/keyboardist John Rich, drummer Keech Rainwater, and keyboardist/rhythm guitarist player Dean Sams. The group first played gigs in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex area. In 1995 they were signed to BNA Records after being co-founder and president of the label. The band released their self-titled debut album that year.

Career

Lonestar’s self-titled debut album was released on October 10, 1995. The first single “Tequila Talkin’” peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) charts in early 1996, followed by “No News”, which also charted that year. A third single, “Runnin’ Away with My Heart”, was released in 1996 and peaked at the No. 8 chart. The album sold over 500,000 copies and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Lonestar’s second album, Crazy Nights, was released on June 17, 1997. The album’s first single “Come Cryin’ to Me” peaked at No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart in 1997, followed by the title track and “You Walked In”, which both peaked in the Top 20. “Everything’s Changed” was released as the third single in late 1998 and peaked at number 2 on the Hot Country Songs. After these three singles, vocalist John Rich left the band the following year.

Lonestar’s third album, Lonely Grill, was released on June 1, 1999. The album’s first four singles – “Amazed”, “Smile”, “Tell Her” and “What About Now” – were both Number One hits on the Hot Country Songs chart in 1999. “Amazed” was Lonestar’s only crossover hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The album was certified 3× Platinum in the United States and has sold over three million copies domestically. In 2009, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) ranked it as the tenth-best-selling album of the decade.

Lonestar’s first Christmas album, This Christmas Time, came out on September 12, 2000. The album featured “This Christmas Time”, a new holiday song penned by lead singer Richie McDonald, Gary Baker, and Frank J. Myers. It peaked at No. 6 on the Top Holiday Albums chart.

Lonestar’s fourth album, I’m Already There, was released on June 19, 2001. The album’s first single, “I’m Already There”, became the band’s sixth No. 1 hit on the Billboard country charts in August 2001. The album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In 2002, Lonestar won their first Country Music Association award for Vocal Group of the Year.

Lonestar released a greatest hits album on June 3, 2003, entitled From There to Here: Greatest Hits. It featured two brand-new tracks: “My Front Porch Looking In” and “Walking in Memphis” (a cover of the Marc Cohn song). The album also included a new version of their debut single, “Tequila Talkin’”, which featured lead vocals from Richie McDonald. It debuted at number 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and number 7 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart.

Lonestar’s sixth studio album, Let’s Be Us Again, was released on May 25, 2004. It debuted at number 2 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and number 14 on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold in the United States. From it, the lead-off single “Mr. Mom” reached number 1 on the Country Singles chart in August 2005, becoming Lonestar’s tenth Number One hit.

In late 2005, Lonestar toured with country music legend Kenny Rogers on his The Gambler’s Last Deal tour of the United Kingdom.

In mid-2005, Lonestar released their seventh album Coming Home. The album’s first single “You’re Like Comin’ Home” reached the Top 8 on the country charts. The second single, “I’ll Die Tryin’” was released to radio in late 2005, and reached the top 40 in early 2006.

On June 26, 2006, Lonestar began working on their next album. The first single from the album, “Mountains”, was released on October 17, 2006, and peaked at number 10 on the country charts. This was also Richie McDonald’s final album before going solo until he returned in 2011.

In early 2007, Lonestar announced that Richie McDonald had left the group and would be replaced by Cody Collins, formerly of the group McAlyster. The group’s first album with Collins, Party Heard Around the World, was released on April 27, 2010. It debuted at number 100 on the Billboard 200, and number 20 on the Top Country Albums chart.

Collins departed in 2011 and McDonald rejoined the group. Lonestar then released Life As We Know It. The lead-off single from the album, “The Countdown”. Album peaked at number 33 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and number 148 on the all-genre Billboard 200.

Lonestar’s next album, Never Enders, was released on May 4, 2016. The album’s lead-off single, “Never Enders”. On April 29, the single “Never Enders” was released and distributed through Shanachie Entertainment.

On March 5, 2021, Lonestar announced that Richie McDonald would be leaving the group again. The band will continue on as a four-piece with Drew Womack on lead vocals.

Discography

• Lonestar (1995)
• Crazy Nights (1997)
• Lonely Grill (1999)
• This Christmas Time (2000)
• I’m Already There (2001)
• From There to Here: Greatest Hits (2003)
• Let’s Be Us Again (2004)
• Coming Home (2005)
• Mountains (2006)
• Party Heard Around the World (2010)
• Life as We Know It (2013)
• Never Enders (2016)