Lonestar
Lead vocalist
Richie McDonald is reuniting with
Lonestar
for a new album and tour to mark the band's 20th anniversary. The reunited band will include keyboardist Dean Sams, drummer
Keech Rainwater and guitarist Michael Britt.
John Rich was fired as the group's bassist
and second lead vocalist in 1998. McDonald exited Lonestar in 2007 to pursue a solo career. Cody Collins sang as lead vocalist
on the band's 2010 album,
Party Heard Around the World. With McDonald on lead vocals, Lonestar enjoyed a string of
No. 1 hits, including
"Smile," "What About Now" and
"I'm
Already There." The band spent eight weeks at No. 1 in 1999 with
"Amazed."
However, McDonald and Lonestar had limited chart success following his departure. "Five years has come and gone since I left
Lonestar," McDonald said. "We've all tried other avenues, and the fact remains that some things were just meant to be. With
the Lonestar 20-year reunion approaching, Dean, Michael, Keech and I got together and have decided we have some unfinished
business to take care of. I miss those crazy nights running around onstage, making music with my band of brothers." Lonestar's
initial tour schedule begins in late February and includes appearances in England, Ireland and Switzerland.
