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Lonestar is an American country music group consisting of Richie McDonald, Michael Britt, Keech Rainwater, and Dean Sams. Before the group's foundation, both Rainwater and Britt were members of the group Canyon. John Rich was Lonestar's bass guitarist and second lead vocalist until 1998, when he was fired from the group. He left for a solo career, before joining Big Kenny in the duo Big & Rich in 2003, and Lonestar has not had an official bass guitarist since. Between 2007 and 2011, McDonald exited the band for a solo career, with former McAlyster lead singer Cody Collins replacing him as lead vocalist in this timespan. McDonald has also composed singles for Clay Walker, The Wilkinsons, Billy Dean, and Sara Evans, among others.
Lonestar first charted on Hot Country Songs in late 1995. Nine of the band's singles reached number 1 on this chart: "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", with nine more reaching Top 10 on the same chart. "Amazed" also charted at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the first country song to do so since "Islands in the Stream" in 1983. Both "Amazed" and "My Front Porch Looking In" were the top country songs of 1999 and 2003, respectively, on Billboard Year-End. The group has recorded seven albums, one EP, and a greatest hits package for BNA Records, one album for Saguaro Road, and one album for 4 Star Records. Three of their albums have been certified platinum or higher by the Recording Industry Association of America.
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