Lonestar is an American country music group consisting of Richie McDonald (lead vocals, acoustic guitar), Michael Britt (lead guitar, background vocals), Keech Rainwater (drums), and Dean Sams (keyboards, background vocals). John Rich was also the group'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. Since Rich's departure, Lonestar has not had an official bass guitarist. Between 2007 and 2011, McDonald exited the band for a solo career, with Cody Collins, formerly of McAlyster, replacing him as lead vocalist in this timespan. Lonestar first charted on Hot Country Songs in late