Comments on: Paul Wall Disappointed In Not Meeting Willie And Richie McDonald Leaves Lonestar

By: Jayme

Jayme — Thu, 15 May 2008 02:24:32 +0000

I’ve been extremely busy over the last 9 months as I went back to school full time while working and raising 3 children. The only music I’ve listened to has been on the radio. So, I just found out Richie left Lonestar! I am so disappointed! I know they haven’t been putting out the same caliber of hits they have had in the past, but Lonestar just isn’t Lonestar without him! I hope it was an amicable parting. Cody seems okay, but there is something about Richie that helped to define the group. Dean…love the piano playing, and Michael and Keech are awesome too, but I’ll miss Richie’s voice!

By: Jenna Vercher

Jenna Vercher — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 18:44:26 +0000

It definitely surprised me. I still can’t believe it.

By: Brody Vercher

Brody Vercher — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 15:02:28 +0000

I saw that rumor somewhere else, as well. It’d be crazy if it did happen.

By: Taylor

Taylor — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 15:00:14 +0000

I am predicting Josh Gracin takes over for Richie………..watch it happen.

By: Brody Vercher

Brody Vercher — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 14:18:01 +0000

On the flip side they were dropped from their label, their biggest radio hit in the past five years is “Mr. Mom” and after that I can’t recall anything significant since “I’m Already There.” I don’t remember exactly where I read it, but I tend to agree they they’ve been uprooted by Rascal Flatts.

Also, I don’t think it’d be that big of a sacrifice for his family as he’s probably already made a ton of money off the hits they had, and will still receive royalties from songs he did write if Lonestar continues to play them. I however, do agree that he’ll most likely be less relevant on his own.

By: Matt C.

Matt C. — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 14:06:08 +0000

Actually, the Lonestar thing does surprise me. Richie McDonald has pretty much done everything for Lonestar from the beginning; he co-wrote several of their big hits, sang lead of course, and Dean Sams, Keech Rainwater and Michael Britt didn’t even play on the studio albums regularly until “Coming Home” in 2005. Richie was really doing nothing except giving away 3/4 of his profit during the years when the band was really big. Why leave now?

Because he was so integral to the band’s success, I doubt that Richie’s solo album is going to sound much different from Lonestar’s stuff and I think that the appeal of that sound is on the downswing. By leaving, Richie forfeits his ability to tour under the band’s name, which might be his best way to earn a check for the rest of his career. He also has young children and has made a big deal about being a “family man” in recent years so at this stage in his life I don’t know why he’d want to make the sacrifices required if he’s serious about making it as a new artist.

I guess no one wants to stick with a group that has become somewhat irrelevant, but I think he’d be a lot less relevant on his own.