The next single, " No News", became the band's first No. 1, holding that position for three weeks in April 1996. Other contributing songwriters included former solo artists Bill LaBounty, Rick Vincent, and Larry Boone. Its producers were Don Cook (best known for his work with Brooks & Dunn) and songwriter Wally Wilson, with whom Rich wrote the track "I Love the Way You Do That". It was included on their self-titled debut album, which was released that October.
Their debut single, " Tequila Talkin'", was released that August, peaking at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) chart. Lonestar's first release for BNA was an extended play titled Lonestar Live, recorded at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville and issued in January 1995. Musical career 1995–96: Lonestar Live and Lonestar The band first played at a concert in Nashville in 1993 and signed to BNA Records in January 1995. Soon after foundation, Texassee changed its name to Lonestar. Before Lonestar's foundation, Rainwater and Britt were members of the group Canyon, which recorded two albums for the independent 16th Avenue Records and charted in the country top 40 with "Hot Nights" in 1989. The original lineup consisted of lead singer/rhythm guitarist Richie McDonald ( Lubbock), lead guitarist Michael Britt ( Fort Worth), drummer Randy "Keech" Rainwater ( Plano), keyboardist/rhythm guitarist Dean Sams ( Garland), and bass guitarist/lead and background vocalist John Rich ( Amarillo). This portmanteau name was derived from the fact that all five members were natives of Texas, and met in Nashville, Tennessee's Opryland USA theme park. Lonestar began in 1992 as a band named Texassee.
McDonald exited the band in 2007 to record as a solo artist, and was replaced by former McAlyster vocalist Cody Collins before returning in 2011. Since his departure, Lonestar has relied alternatingly on session and touring musicians for bass guitar accompaniment. Rich exited the band in 1998 and went on to become one-half of the duo Big & Rich. The group was founded in 1992 by Britt, Sams, Rainwater, lead vocalist Richie McDonald, and bass guitarist/vocalist John Rich. Lonestar is an American country music group consisting of Drew Womack (lead vocals, acoustic guitar), Michael Britt (lead guitar, background vocals), Dean Sams (keyboards, acoustic guitar, background vocals), and Keech Rainwater (drums).