Craig Morgan, Richie McDonald Make a Move
In two separate bits of industry news, Craig Morgan has signed with Sony BMG Nashville, and former Lonestar lead vocalist Richie McDonald's first solo album will be a contemporary Christian project. Lonestar left the Sony BMG roster last year, and McDonald confirmed shortly thereafter that he was leaving the band.
Morgan recently announced that he had decided to leave the independent Broken Bow label, where he enjoyed a string of hits that includes "Almost Home," "Redneck Yacht Club," "That's What I Love About Sunday," "Little Bit of Life," "Tough" and "International Harvester." Broken Bow remains Jason Aldean's label home.
Morgan had previously recorded for Atlantic, and there was speculation on Music Row about where he would land after exiting Broken Bow. That speculation ended Thursday night (March 6) during the Sony BMG's annual party on the General Jackson showboat, an annual event during Country Radio Seminar in Nashville. No word on which Sony BMG label -- Arista, BNA, Columbia or RCA -- will be releasing Morgan's upcoming music, but an album is expected this fall.
As for McDonald, the contemporary Christian album probably comes as no surprise to his former bandmates in Lonestar. In several interviews, they blamed him for the decline in the band's record sales because of his insistence in releasing a series singles centering on family values. Two of those, "My Front Porch Looking In" and "Mr. Mom," are frequently cited as prime examples of what has become known in the music industry as "sippy-cup songs."
McDonald's solo album, I Turn to You, was produced by songwriter Frank Myers. Distributed by Lucid Artist, it will be available at retail outlets nationwide.
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Missy says:
Maybe Richie should be on the next GONE COUNTRY series!!! I’m sure John Rich could teach him a thing or two. Kind of ironic!!!!
David Nisbet says:
The rest of Lonestar got fed up with him? At least when he was in the group they were Country, their new songs sound like the same teenPop crap Nashville seems to thrive on lately.
hotelmotel says:
I can see why the rest of Lonestar got upset. Lonestar did about 2 too many of the “family values” type songs within a 2 or 3 year period. Those songs hurt the group, it got them typecast, and that was that.They were only going to appeal to a more limited audience, but radio stations are mass market institutions.
I partly understand why they released those songs. If “Front Porch Looking In” does well, then, as the cliche goes, don’t fix what’s not broken, and release “Mr Mom.” But this only works so many times.
Anyway,like their music or not, Lonestar had a good run with Richie McDonald.
MaryAnne says:
I am happy for Richie, because Christian music is definitely a growing genre. He may not get rich like the big time country artists do but they may appreciate a talent like his more than Nashville ever did.
Frank n Stank says:
Makes a lot of sense to me to leave a label who was THE MAIN reason said artist had ANY success at all. Just stab them in the back and go elsewhere.
That is SO typical Nashville and just another reason why most of the artist will have short careers and NOT last long.
I hope the label got a nice parting gift and gave the finger as the “superstar” ran out the door.
Loyalty is just not in the cards for SOME artists OR radio where artists are a dime a dozen!!
If radio doesn’t play the new singles we’ll all know why, they aren’t loyal to those that jump ship!!
Connie says:
Richie McDonald is one of the most respected, talented and humble song writers and artists that ever hit Nashville! His new Contemporary CD, I Turn to You, is awesome! Richie wanted to pursue his dream of being a solo artist and there is nothing wrong with that! Being on your own as an artist lets you make the decisions, not someone else make decisions for you! I have seen him several times in concert since he has gone solo and he is doing great! He has a big fan base–as his voice was Lonestar! He loved writing about family, love, friends and traditional things because that is how he lives his life! He writes about his life experiences and that is what he is about! He is one talented man and is growing his fans one at a time! He will make it!
Connie says:
Craig Morgan, Richie McDonald Make a Move
Posted: March 7th, 2008 at 9:34 am | By: Calvin Gilbert
In two separate bits of industry news, Craig Morgan has signed with Sony BMG Nashville, and former Lonestar lead vocalist Richie McDonald’s first solo album will be a contemporary Christian project. Lonestar left the Sony BMG roster last year, and McDonald confirmed shortly thereafter that he was leaving the band.
Morgan recently announced that he had decided to leave the independent Broken Bow label, where he enjoyed a string of hits that includes “Almost Home,” “Redneck Yacht Club,” “That’s What I Love About Sunday,” “Little Bit of Life,” “Tough” and “International Harvester.” Broken Bow remains Jason Aldean’s label home.
Morgan had previously recorded for Atlantic, and there was speculation on Music Row about where he would land after exiting Broken Bow. That speculation ended Thursday night (March 6) during the Sony BMG’s annual party on the General Jackson showboat, an annual event during Country Radio Seminar in Nashville. No word on which Sony BMG label — Arista, BNA, Columbia or RCA — will be releasing Morgan’s upcoming music, but an album is expected this fall.
As for McDonald, the contemporary Christian album probably comes as no surprise to his former bandmates in Lonestar. In several interviews, they blamed him for the decline in the band’s record sales because of his insistence in releasing a series singles centering on family values. Two of those, “My Front Porch Looking In” and “Mr. Mom,” are frequently cited as prime examples of what has become known in the music industry as “sippy-cup songs.”
McDonald’s solo album, I Turn to You, was produced by songwriter Frank Myers. Distributed by Lucid Artist, it will be available at retail outlets nationwide.
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Filed Under: Albums, News
Tags: Craig Morgan, Jason Aldean, Lonestar, Richie McDonald
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Reader Comments
Missy says:
Posted: March 7th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Maybe Richie should be on the next GONE COUNTRY series!!! I’m sure John Rich could teach him a thing or two. Kind of ironic!!!!
David Nisbet says:
Posted: March 7th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
The rest of Lonestar got fed up with him? At least when he was in the group they were Country, their new songs sound like the same teenPop crap Nashville seems to thrive on lately.
hotelmotel says:
Posted: March 7th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
I can see why the rest of Lonestar got upset. Lonestar did about 2 too many of the “family values” type songs within a 2 or 3 year period. Those songs hurt the group, it got them typecast, and that was that.They were only going to appeal to a more limited audience, but radio stations are mass market institutions.
I partly understand why they released those songs. If “Front Porch Looking In” does well, then, as the cliche goes, don’t fix what’s not broken, and release “Mr Mom.” But this only works so many times.
Anyway,like their music or not, Lonestar had a good run with Richie McDonald.
MaryAnne says:
Posted: March 10th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
I am happy for Richie, because Christian music is definitely a growing genre. He may not get rich like the big time country artists do but they may appreciate a talent like his more than Nashville ever did.
Frank n Stank says:
Posted: March 29th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Makes a lot of sense to me to leave a label who was THE MAIN reason said artist had ANY success at all. Just stab them in the back and go elsewhere.
That is SO typical Nashville and just another reason why most of the artist will have short careers and NOT last long.
I hope the label got a nice parting gift and gave the finger as the “superstar” ran out the door.
Loyalty is just not in the cards for SOME artists OR radio where artists are a dime a dozen!!
If radio doesn’t play the new singles we’ll all know why, they aren’t loyal to those that jump ship!!
Connie says:
Posted: July 19th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Richie McDonald is one of the most respected, talented and humble song writers and artists that ever hit Nashville! His new Contemporary CD, I Turn to You, is awesome! Richie wanted to pursue his dream of being a solo artist and there is nothing wrong with that! Being on your own as an artist lets you make the decisions, not someone else make decisions for you! I have seen him several times in concert since he has gone solo and he is doing great! He has a big fan base–as his voice was Lonestar! He loved writing about family, love, friends and traditional things because that is how he lives his life! He writes about his life experiences and that is what he is about! He is one talented man and is growing his fans one at a time! He will make it!
Amber says:
I have known Richie for 9 years now, and he is THE most humble, nicest, artist that I have ever met. My dad is a D.J. and because of that, I have met so many. I find it to be amazing that someone who has done so well, is trusting God to bless him in all ways. He didn’t get lost in the hype, he stood true to himself and to his family. He loves his fans and would not do them favor by sticking around an undesired situation. He does have a pure heart, he’s a family man, and loves the Lord. He will do great things.
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