CMA Interviews: Frontman RICHIE MCDONALD

It was a pleasure to sit down with CMA/ACM/BMI award-winning singer/songwriter Richie McDonald.  This very accomplished artist has so much talent and credentials tucked under his belt I felt honored to pose with him!  

At first meeting, Richie wouldn't speak and kept a grim face.  I thought,  "Oh no, this is going to be a tough one to pull info out of....help!"  But, alas, Richie is also a comedian and was playing hard-to-get for the first 5 minutes - after that, I realized he was sweet, easy to chat with, and was not that impressed with himself, even though I was more and more impressed with his family love, funny demeanor and amazing drive to continue to write and perform.

Richie McDonald is the former frontman/singer/writer for well-known country band Lonestar.  Their award-winning 9 albums were not just trophy winners, they included 6 gold and platinum albums.  When this stint finally ended Richie just couldn't put the pen down.   He went on with solo work to create a Christmas record and two further endeavors.   One, just released in January, 2011, is "Slowdown," an album he worked on for 2 - 3 years, which he is very proud and content with.  He admitted that all of the songs on this CD were written and cowritten by himself over the last 10 years.  Whether a love song or a "quirky little diddy"  he says that they are passionate and is amazed at how the project turned out, explaining it should really reach out and touch lives.  

He remembers once when his 4-yr. old son (who is now 15) would greet him when he would call from tour asking, "Dad, when are you coming home?"  He would hang up and deeply touched with this love - would write a song about.

He now is daddy to three - oldest son again is 15, Molly, 12, Masey, 10, calling them his "little singers."  His oldest son is now even learning guitar.  His family has kept him grounded despite the fame of his notoriety, and encouraged him to keep current touring to include trips home in between.

The "Slowdown" promotion tour begins in July, including Nevada, Utah, Texas, Missouri, Louisiana and ending in Alabama.  Part of this tour will be a titled act "The Front Men," featuring three front men Richie, Larry Stewart and Tim Rushlow.

McDonald was again a pleasure to get acquainted with, his accomplishments totally ignored by himself in this interview, which goes to show that he still has drive to continue to do more.....and this blogger stronger feels that he will continue working and writing as long as he is inspired.