Richie McDonald leaves Lonestar for a second time

American country band Lonestar released nine albums in total before frontman Richie McDonald left the band for the first time at the end of 2007. He went on to release a solo Christmas album that same year, and solo studio albums in 2008 and 2010. However, it was in 2011 that McDonald rejoined the band after Cody Collins, who replaced him, left.

Fast forward ten more years and it seems McDonald is saying goodbye – again – to join Little Texas lead singer Tim Rushlow and Restless Heart lead singer Larry Stewart to form The Frontmen of Country.

McDonald says, “I’ve been with Lonestar for almost 30 years and have enjoyed my time with the guys. With everything that has happened in the past year, it has made me think about other things I want to do in life. This opportunity with the Frontmen came up, and I’ve decided to go a new direction."

McDonald, guitarist Michael Britt, drummer Randy "Keech" Rainwater, keyboardist Dean Sams and bassist John Rich first began working together in 1992, as Texassee. Rich left in 1998, forming the duo Big & Rich, most notably known for their 2004 smash hit, Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy).

Lonestar recently reunited to perform their number one single, Amazed on Phil Vassar’s Song From The Cellar, some 22 years after its 1999 release. Their last studio album was Never Enders, released in 2016.

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