New Music Video From Lonestar - "You Make Loving Fun"

New Music Video From Lonestar and Jim Messina - "Your Mama Don't Dance"

That Nashville Sound Sunday Newsbytes - Record Store Day & Steve Azar's New Radio Show

Everybody stay safe, hunker down at home if you can, say a little prayer for our front line of first responders and medical personnel and use this music we love as a diversion.

~ Roots & American Music Society (RAMS), a not-for-profit record label based in Memphis, Tennessee, has teamed with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) to orchestrate and create a meaningful recording project titled Love Lives On. The combined creative endeavor aligned TAPS military families, who have endured the loss of a loved one, with some of the music industry’s most gifted and renowned songwriters to pen the family members’ intimate and personal stories in music and song. Featuring special guest vocal performances by award-winning recording artists Vince Gill, Billy Ray Cyrus, John Rich, Paul Overstreet, Andy Griggs, Pam Tillis, Lee Roy Parnell, Lonestar, Gatlin Brothers and more, complemented by A-list studio and touring musicians. The album will be out on May 22, 2020. You can listen to the title track by Lonestar, Vince Gill & friends HERE. 

~ Steve Azar's The I Don’t Have To Be Me (‘Til Monday) Radio Show is coming to country radio coast to coast this July. During this 4-hour weekend show, Azar will be sharing the stories and talents of his peers in country music, their greatest hits, past and current, as well as hosting some candid conversations with them and other pals from TV, film and sports. Azar says, "As you know my song, "I Don’t Have To Be Me (‘Til Monday)" has always been about escapism. Just getting away from the hustle and bustle of routines. I introduced and shared it with you through the power of radio 20 years ago and to this day it’s still rocking. I’m thankful for that!"  You watch/hear a preview of what to expect HERE.

~ We announced last week that Record Store Day was pushed back from April to June 20th this year. What we didn't announce was the list of country(ish) vinyl that will be available as special releases only for this unique day.  You can see the entire list HERE.

   An Evening With The Allman Brothers Band: First Set - The Allman Brothers Band
   A Rooster Says - Brandi Carlile
   Classic Cash: Hall Of Fame Series - Early Mixes (1987) - Johnny Cash
   Pearl Cadillac (Feat. Andra Day) - Gary Clark Jr
   "The Unraveling" b/w "Sarah's Flame" - Drive-By Truckers
   "Times Like These / It's About Blood" - Steve Earle
   Live at the Austin Outhouse - Blaze Foley
   The Man With No Shadow - John Wesley Harding
   Live at Nick’s Fat City, 1995. - Hootie And The Blowfish
   Shooter Live at Bonnaroo - Shooter Jennings
   Angel With A Lariat - K.D. Lang & The Reclines
   Drag - K.D. Lang
   Cover Your Tracks EP - Corb Lund
   Live From The Palomino - Midland
   The Atlantic Albums - John Prine
   The Kentucky Sessions - John Prine/Kelsey Waldon
   Live At The Orange Peel - Son Volt
   Hillbillies in Hell: Volume X - Various Artists
   March of Dimes - Hank Williams

~ And if you didn't see them, a couple of country artists did their favorite Kenny Rogers songs as tributes to the legend who passed away yesterday.

   Jake Owen - "She Believes In Me"
   Jason Eady - "Ruby (Don't Take Your Love To Town)"

New Music Video From Phil Vassar and Lonestar - "Not So Silent Night"

New Music Video From Lonestar - "Never Enders"

Lonestar To Release Never Enders In April

Artist: Lonestar
Album: Never Enders
Label: 4 Star Records
Release date: April 15, 2016

With more than 20 charted singles on Hot Country Songs, including 9 that reached No. 1, ("No News", "Come Cryin' to Me", "Amazed", "Smile", "What About Now", "Tell Her", "I'm Already There", "My Front Porch Looking In", and "Mr. Mom") Lonestar looks to continue to write that legacy with the release of their newest album, Never Enders. The group has recorded seven albums, one EP, and a greatest hits package for the defunct BNA Records, one album for Saguaro Road Records, and this will mark their second for 4 Star Records. Three of their albums have been certified platinum or higher by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

No track listing has been announced as of yet, but songwriter Susan Ruth posted on her Instagram page that she has two co-writes on the project, "I have two cuts on the upcoming April release - Never Enders -by Lonestar with the songs "Here We Go Again," and "I've Been Wrong Before" (written by Dean Sams, Adam Wood and me). I love these guys. True, true talents."

New Music Video From Lonestar- "Just the Rain"

New Music Video From Lonestar- "Maybe Someday"

Get More: Lonestar, Maybe Someday, Music, More Music Videos

Lonestar Reunites With Lead Singer Richie McDonald

The group Lonestar has reunited with original lead vocalist Richie McDonald and will tour together in 2012, as well as record an album to mark their 20th Anniversary.

"Five years has come and gone since I left Lonestar," he 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 on stage making music with my band of brothers. Looking forward to a new chapter in the book of Lonestar and reliving some old memories  and also making some new ones for the fans that have been loyal to us through thick and thin."

Fellow member Dean Sams says the reunion will please a lot of the group's fans."The music we've created over the years, along with all of the fans we have made along the way, is something we have never taken for granted," he says. "We have so much more music to offer the country music fans, and  truly feel they want us back on the radio and out on the road performing live for them. After a lot of soul searching and long conversations between all of us involved, we are energized and excited to be writing and recording new music together again!"

The band did release one album, "Party Heard Around The World," which featured McDonald's replacement, Cody Collins. Of Collins, the group said they wish Cody the best in his future musical endeavors.

The members of Lonestar include Keech Rainwater, Dean Sams, Michael Britt and McDonald. The first concerts kick off Febriary 26th overseas. Together with McDonald, Lonestar had hits such as, “Amazed,” “No News,” “Come Crying To Me,” and others.

For more on the band Lonestar visit www.lonestarnow.com.

Legend Charley Pride To Release New Album Choices on March 18

Charley Pride possesses one of the quintessential Country Music voices and remains loved and respected around the world as country music's first African-American superstar. Choices- to be released on March 18, 2011- is his first studio album since 2006's Pride & Joy: A Gospel Music Collection. It features 13 new recordings written by songwriters that will be quite familiar to Pride's fanbase as well as tracks penned by such fellow country music stars as Eddy Raven and Richie McDonald (Lonestar).

He also sings a couple of hallmark spiritual songs including his version of "Resting Place," a song that topped the Gospel music charts in the late 1990s.

From the Pride press release:

Those familiar with Pride's amazing repertoire of #1 hits will find this release essential listening while others are sure to discover the reasons why this living legend has sold tens of millions of records worldwide.

New Richie McDonald Album Slow Down Ships First Week of December

Richie McDonald made the decision to leave the group Lone Star three years ago after releasing seven studio albums with Keech, Dean and Michael.

"I just wanted to slow down a little bit, spend more time with my family, watch my children grow up, and just take a break and do things at my own pace. I made a lot of memories, music with Michael, Dean and Keech and I do miss them. This is just another chapter in my life."

Now that change in philosophy is represented in the name of his new album that is being released the first week of December- an album appropriately named Slow Down.

New Music Video From Anthony Smith- "Love Is Love Is Love"

Anthony Smith is writer on many hit songs, including George Strait's "Run" and "Cowboys Like Us," Trace Adkins' "Chrome" and "I'm Tryin'," Rascal Flatts' "My Worst Fear," Tim McGraw's "Kill Myself" and current single "Kristofferson," Montgomery Gentry's "What Do Ya Think About That?" and the song "Didn't I?" for the Mel Gibson film We Were Soldiers. The list goes on to include songs recorded by Trisha Yearwood, Gretchen Wilson, Wynonna, Lorrie Morgan, Faith Hill, Van Zant, Lonestar and many others.

CD Reviews- Lonestar- Party Heard Around The World

The Background:
Lonestar made a name for themselves in the late ‘90’s and early 00’s as a solid country music act. Correction, they were on their way to solidifying themselves as one of the standout acts of the industry, slating the top singles “What About Now,” “Front Porch Looking In,” and “I’m Already There,” as well as arguably the biggest love ballad of the past 20 years, “Amazed.” Over the years, the band’s trademark had become feel-good melodies, inspirational and emotional lyrics, and lead singer Richie McDonald’s overpowering signature vocals. Then McDonald announced that he would be leaving the group in 2007 to pursue personal endeavors, Lonestar was left with a decision to make: call it quits or keep the group alive and begin the search for a new lead vocalist. Luckily for the music industry and for country fans, Lonestar remained together, and after extensive auditions, they return in 2010 with new vocalist, Cody Collins, and a brand new album, appropriately titled ‘Party Heard Around The World.’

The Review:
Lonestar returns with their first album in 4 years and their debut disc with lead singer Cody Collins. “Party Heard Around The World” is an accurate representation of who this band is what they stand for in an era in country music that is severely lacking these qualities. Collins’ debut with the group displays his incredible vocal range, and the melodies and beats accompany his voice perfectly, particularly on the tracks “Live Laugh and Love” and “She Wants What She Wants.” Produced by the band members’ themselves, it is evident that this collection of tunes is a true reflection of their statement with this album. There are only a few blips in the set, including “Y.O.U.,” as well as the title track, in which the over-the-top, corny lyrics are a little too immature for the group, and are too tough to swallow from an otherwise musically advanced record. While most discs lose their ingenuity and credibility as they progress through the track list, ‘Party Heard Around The World” remains strong, with several of the tracks, including “Making Memories,” “Let Me Love You” and “The Future,” prove to be the most dynamic and impressive on the entire album. While it may be difficult for some casual country music fans to accept Lonestar with their new vocalist, Cody Collins has proven that he is the real deal. With a slew of potential and deserving radio hits alongside genuine sophisticated melodies and musical collaborations, ‘Party Heard Around The World’ brings good news to the country music world: Lonestar is back.

Track Highlights:
Live Laugh And Love
She Wants What She Wants
Making Memories
The Future

Sounds Like:
Lady Antebellum, Sugarland

The Verdict:
Four Stars Out Of Five

Review by Chad Carlson. Chad is the Editor of SteelTownRock.com, Pittsburgh’s New Music Authority. To contact Chad, reach out to him at chad.carlson(at)steeltownrock.com

American Idol Alum Bo Bice To Release Third Album On May 18

American Idol alum Bo Bice will release his third album, aptly titled 3, on May 18th on Saguaro Road Records- in association with Bo’s own Sugar Money Records. According to the label, it will be "soulful southern blues and rock, gospel-like choruses, Americana and a touch of country."

“I feel the new CD, 3, is my strongest to date,” says Bo, “filled with a plethora of sounds that show people who the real Bo Bice is.” “There's something for everyone; country, soul, rock & roll...it's like your favorite pair of jeans; it just feels right.” “Bo Bice is an enormously talented singer, songwriter and musician that has forged incredible relationships with the fans,” adds Mike Jason, Senior VP of Audio and Video Retail at Saguaro Road Records, home to Patty Loveless, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Tanya Tucker and Lonestar. “We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering with him for the release of 3."

On 3, Bo wrote half of the songs himself and collaborated with other writers on the remainder, playing both acoustic and electric guitar during the recording sessions in his adopted hometown of Nashville. He was joined by Black Crowes drummer Steve Gorman and keyboardist AJ Croce, whose father Jim has long been one of Bo’s greatest songwriting influences. Bo also produced five of the album’s songs, with an additional six co-produced with D. Scott Miller.

Bice’s first single, “Inside Your Heaven,” reached #1 on the pop chart when it was released in 2005 and was certified gold after it became the second-highest debuting song of the year. His album (The Real Thing) debuted at #4 shortly afterward and was also certified gold, his 2007 follow-up (See The Light) was ranked #1 by VH-1, and he later sung lead on Santana’s single “Brown Skinned Girl” (certified gold).

New Lonestar Album Party Heard Around The World To Land In April

Lonestar, consisting of original members Dean Sams, Keech Rainwater, and Michael Britt, as well as lead vocalist Cody Collins who joined the group in 2007 will be releasing a brand new album this April under the Saguaro Road Record label.

This will be the band's first studio album in four years. Party Heard Around The World, their 10th album, is a total ‘hands on’ creative effort, produced by the band with eight of the ten tracks written by the foursome. Noted lead guitarist and original member Michael Britt said in a recent interview: “We feel that this album is a complete reflection of the group, circa 2010. It’s personal and powerful music that reflects the core values of Lonestar through lyrics, performance and production.” The street date is April 27th.

Known both for their strong country roots as well as their multi-genre crossover appeal that’s led to a history of success on the pop/rock charts, Lonestar has only their own career records to break. To date, the band has RIAA certified sales in excess of 10 million album units since their national launch in 1995. The Texas bred band has had an impressive list of hit singles on the country charts, including ten #1’s as well as nine Top 40 songs on the pop charts. Signature songs in the mid-90’s included early #1 hits such as “No News,” and “Come Cryin’ To Me.” Their 1999 album release, Lonely Grill, produced Lonestar’s biggest crossover smash to date, the ballad “Amazed,” which spent eight weeks at the #1 spot on the country charts as well as reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The dual win made them the first country act since Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton’s “Islands In the Stream” in 1983 to accomplish this career milestone. Three more singles from the band (“Smile,” “What About Now,” and “Tell Her”) followed to #1 as the Lonely Grill album was certified multi-platinum. Lonestar dealt listeners a follow-up platinum hand with the release of their I’m Already There album (2001) with the title track lead-off single spending six weeks at #1 as the album was on the way to platinum certification.