Lonestar brings country to EQC

By Tribal News Writers

For Puyallup Tribal News
Published on: May 01, 2008

Taking different routes to the same destination, Lonestar first came together in 1992 in Nashville. All four members grew up in Texas, and though none received any substantial musical training, each made their way through a series of garage bands in high school. With the exception of drummer Keech Rainwater, who devoted himself to the pursuit of a music career, everyone went on to college or day jobs, though they continued to play in bands at night.

All of their paths eventually crossed in Texas. Rainwater and guitarist Michael Britt both wound up in the band Canyon. Lonestar’s original singer, Richie McDonald, opened for Canyon and met Rainwater and Britt backstage.

Keyboard player Dean Sams moved to Nashville. He got in touch with Britt and formed a band called Texassee. “One of the worst names in the history of country music,” said Sams with a laugh.

They hit the road in a Jeep Cherokee hauling a trailer, and in 1993-94 performed more than 500 shows. Knowing they needed to stick closer to town if they were going to get the attention of label executives, they nabbed a gig as the house band for Opryland’s new Wildhorse Saloon, a huge club the entertainment company opened in downtown Nashville. It was then that Rainwater came to Nashville to join the band.

Eventually they changed their name to Lonestar, were signed by BNA Records and released their self-titled debut album in 1995. It featured the hits “Tequila Talkin’” and “No News.”

In 1997 they released “Crazy Nights,” which scored hits with “Come Cryin’ To Me” and “Everything’s Changed.”

Two years later they released “Lonely Grill.” The song “Amazed” was a huge crossover hit, climbing to the top of the country and pop charts, the first single to have done so since Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton released “Islands in the Stream” in 1983.

In 2000 they released a holi-day album, “This Christmas Time.” and had another big hit in 2001 with the title track of the album “I’m Already There.” In 2007 McDonald left the band to pursue a solo career. He was replaced by Cody Collins.

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