Lonestar heading for Bangor Band’s ‘Amazed’ No. 1 on country music charts

You’d be amazed what one single can do for a band’s career.

Just ask Lonestar, which will play at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24, at the Bangor Auditorium.

The Texas-based group had enjoyed moderate success with its first two albums, 1995’s self-titled release and 1997’s “Crazy Nights.” They already had three No. 1 country singles: “No News,” “Come Cryin’ to Me” and “Everything’s Changed.”

Still they hadn’t established an identity that separated them from any of the other young, up-and-coming bands in Nashville.

Then came “Amazed.” The sweet ballad stayed eight weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles Chart, and even two weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Singles Chart, something that hadn’t happened for a country song since 1983. It also gained two Grammy nominations and earned two Academy of Country Music awards – Song of the Year and Single of the Year.

Three more No. 1 singles followed for the BNA artists: “Smile,” “What About Now” and “Tell Her.” On the strength of those four releases, their third album, 1999’s “Lonely Grill,” earned triple-platinum status.

Band members give much of the credit for their success to Dann Huff, a former session guitarist who’s making a name for himself as a hot producer in Nashville.

“Dann Huff made making music fun again,” said guitarist Michael Britt, calling from the side of the road in Virginia. “He brought a whole new outlook on how to make music, and brought to the table a boatload of musical ability. He’s such a professional, and has great ideas and great ears. It’s like having the best player in the NBA on your team.”

Britt and bandmates Dean Sams (keyboard), Keech Rainwater (drums) and Richie McDonald (lead vocals) deserve notice as well for being willing to take more musically adventurous directions. Additionally, co-vocalist John Rich agreed to step aside, signing a solo deal with BNA, which left the group with one voice, McDonald’s. Also, the quartet hung up their cowboy gear for a more relaxed, multigenre look.

Now that success has arrived, how much pressure did the foursome feel when they and Huff went into the studio to record “I’m Already There,” the follow-up album to “Lonely Grill”?

“There was less pressure,” Britt said. “We went in while ‘Lonely Grill’ was out, and we didn’t have time to think about how well it was going. We went in with a more confident, relaxed manner.”

The band enjoyed the crossover success of “Amazed,” but that isn’t something it’ll consciously chase.

“It’s a good thing if you can get it,” Britt said. “You want as many people as you can to see and hear what you do. Our music is a contemporary style of country and can be heard on adult-contemporary stations. It’s not something we think about when we record, but it’s a style of music we like. We can’t show off all our abilities in a strict traditional country style.”

What makes Lonestar work?

“We’ve been trying to figure that out for nine years,” Britt said. “From the first time we got together, everything fell into place. Everybody works on their own jobs, and things seem to come together very quickly. We respect each other’s time, space and ideas, so it’s a nice working relationship. Plus we cut up and act stupid a lot.”

Being on the rise means the best songwriters will bring their work to you. Also there’s opportunities for greater exposure, chances to play at live events and on popular TV showcases. Also, there’s getting asked to perform on soundtrack or tribute albums. For instance, Lonestar just recorded “Gimme All Your Lovin” for a ZZ Top tribute album, a thrill for a group from Texas, Britt said.

Lonestar’s members still haven’t absorbed all that’s happened in the last couple of years.

“Maybe next year, we’ll get a handle on it. When you’re inside of it, it seems to happen slowly, things change in small increments. We’re still waiting for the point when we realize what we’ve done.”

As pleasant as recent events have been, Lonestar is looking toward the future.

“We don’t ever want to be considered one-hit wonders,” Britt said. “We’re going for longevity. We want to be like the groups we admire, like Alabama and the Eagles. So we’re glad it’s been a slow growth process.”

Tickets are available at the Bass Park ticket office and all Ticketmaster locations, or by calling 990-4444 or 775-3331.