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3/26/07
Richie Leaves Lonestar, Tanya
Helps Britney and Willie’s a Peach
 One
of country music’s most successful “boy bands” is splitting up. After
spending fourteen years together and selling over eleven million albums, Lonestar
and lead singer Richie McDonald will be parting ways.
Now
that they’ve been dropped by their label, it’s each man for himself. At
least that seems to be the way lead singer Richie McDonald sees
things. The 45-year old lead singer has decided to leave the group to embark
on a solo career while Dean Sams, Michael Britt, and Keech
Rainwater have decided to continue playing together as Lonestar. So, you
out of work singers out there – heads up! The guys are looking for a new
face to front the band.
I
wouldn’t be surprised if some production company jumps on this opportunity
to create a Rock Star Supernova-like show where a handful of country
singer-songwriters compete for the job of lead singer for Lonestar.
Personally, I think they should hire Nashville Star runner-up Zach Hacker
to front the band. He’s young, sexy, a talented singer and he’d bring a
well-needed freshness to the group of aging musicians. Besides, once the
Nashville Star tour is done, he’ll be looking for work.
When
asked about how he feels about Richie’s decision, lead guitarist Michael
Britt said, “Dean, Keech and I feel like we still have a lot of great
Lonestar music to make and we are excited about this new opportunity to
continue playing for our fans. Richie will be missed and we wish him luck in
his future endeavors.”
Translation:
Dean, Keech and I realize that without a good-looking singer-songwriter like
Richie, we’re in a world of hurt. So we’ve decided to get a younger,
more talented guy to front the band and I hope Richie’s solo career goes
down the toilet. Just kidding. I’ve met Michael and he is one of the
nicest guys around. I’m sure he and the other band members will wish
Richie luck in his future endeavors….once the sting of his announcement
wears off.
 Tanya
Tucker was featured in the Fox News primetime special, Britney
Spears: Toxic Exposure that aired Saturday March 24th.
Britney and Tanya’s lives were paralleled, from their early childhood
success, to their descent into drugs and alcohol, as well as and their
attempts at recovery.
Tanya
appeared on the show after telling anyone and everyone who’d listen that
she wasn’t about to comment on Britney’s meltdown. She not only gave Fox
her two cents on Britney’s descent into drugs and insanity, but she also
happily blabbed her predictions to CMT’s Paul McGuire.
Britney’s
mom, Lynn Spears, and other former child stars including Debbie
Gibson, Christopher Knight, and Danny Bonaduce appeared
during the telecast. I would have liked to have been a fly on the wall at
that taping. Can you say, “ratings stunt”?
 Speaking
of ratings stunts, Dancing With the Stars premiered last Monday night
with our own Billy Ray Cyrus. He was paired with Karina Smirnoff,
who is rumored to be dating her last season partner, Mario Lopez.
Billy Ray says that in high school he’d skip dances and that he’s really
doing the show to honor his dad. If you saw him dance, that’s no big
revelation. The general consensus is that Billy Ray was not very good on
Monday, March 19. Bruno the judge told him, “You’re like a crazy bear
lost in a swamp.”
As
for Heather Mills and her prosthetic leg, she’s apparently packed a
second leg in case the current one breaks.
 Ben
& Jerry’s have a new flavor out, Willie Nelson’s Country
Peach Cobbler. Peach ice cream with cinnamon-sugar shortbread pieces. I’m
not sure I’m on board with those flavor pairings. They remind me of a
bad night of drinking and binging after a particularly hard break-up. But, I
digress.
According
to Ben & Jerry spokesperson, Sean Greenwood, Willie’s flavor
takes after the Southern style peach dessert because, “Willie is a down
home Texan Americana guy.” When they floated the peach idea by Willie, his
response was appropriately laid-back. “Groovy!” he drawled.
Since
the March 16th release, 250,000 pints have been recalled.
Apparently, the packaging forgot to mention the ice cream contains wheat. Is
anyone eating peach ice cream with cinnamon-sugar shortbread pieces really
concerned about wheat?
 And
finally, Keith Urban’s tour in Australia started last week but
Nicole did not go along because she’s in the US doing publicity for a few
of the films she has coming out soon. She is expected to join Keith’s tour
over there in May. I also hear they were spotted holding hands at recent Eric
Clapton concert at the Staples Center in LA. I’m torn between finding
that incredibly sweet and feeling completely bummed that the pair seem more
in love than ever. Does that make me a bad person?
Until
next time, it’s not what they say about you, it’s what they whisper.
~ Goldie
Goldie@CountryStarsOnline.com
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