Lonestar shall feature the return of original lead vocalist and songwriter Richie McDonald. The return of McDonald was followed quickly by the band's release of the single "Countdown", and announcement of a 20th Anniversary Album to be released in late fall of 2012. Regarding the forthcoming album, in a statement on the band's website, McDonald states "It sounds like Lonestar more than it ever has, since we had a lot of creative control on it. We are better together than we ever were apart. I feel like I am back with my brothers. This record was a lot of fun to make and a true labor of love. We feel that it’s the best album that we have ever made." On Billboard.com: "Lonestar's multi-platinum history and huge fanbase affords the band the luxury to choose the right partners for its new record."
To date, Lonestar have has produced 10 number 1 singles, 9 of which charted in one year (1995). In 1999, the song "Amazed", reached number 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 as well as country charts, making it the first "crossover" hit to do so in over a decade. There are 3 certified gold albums and 3 certified platinum albums to the band’s credit, with over 6,500 million records sold worldwide.
The Taylor Bridge Fire that began on August 14th just East of Cle Elum, WA, destroyed approx 50 homes and 25,000 acres throughout Kittitas and Yakima Counties. On August 15th, during the afternoon following the start of the fire, a “State of Emergency” was declared by Washington State Governor Christine Gregiore.
A concert originally planned for August 17th, to feature Trace Adkins, was cancelled, but with the fire starting only 3 days from the concert, the owners of the Winery were already in the midst of contemplating whether a) the concert should be cancelled or b) how the concert could be utilized in a benefit capacity. Prior to receiving notice of cancellation from Adkins management, they did not imagine it would be both.
Swiftwater Cellars announced on August 16th that a separate concert and benefit would be held on August 17th, as a community benefit, and in lieu of cancellation of the original concert to be held on August 17th. The event, titled "Battle at the Bridge", would feature a lineup of local Artists, including Seattle disco cover band Hit Explosion, former Warner Brothers recording artist Alexis Ebert (Albany, OR) and others. Despite what seemed overwhelming odds, the independently produced community concert, produced and marketed over the course of 1 day, went on to raise over $40,000 in donations, with a reported attendance of approximate 1000 persons.
What the venue considers their finale concert of the season, is produced with the intent to further "celebrate the strength of the upper Kittitas county community", to offer relief to those affected and to raise enough in donations to further offset the now $8,000,000 in damages estimated to have been caused by the Taylor Bridge Fire.
The upcoming benefit concert on September 7th is All-Ages. Doors open at 5:30pm, with opening act Countrified. Ticket prices start at $35 for reserved seating, and are available online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-325-SEAT. Proceeds from all on-site donations shall benefit the Victims of the Taylor Bridge Fire. For more information email concerts@swiftwatercellars.com
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