VOA常速英语:Lonestar Returns to Country Music Scene

"Party Heard Around the World" is Lonestar's first new album in four years.  It's also the group's first release with lead vocalist Cody Collins, who replaced Richie McDonald in 2007.

Lonestar has sold more than 10 million albums since 1995.  Their biggest breakthrough came in 1999 with the crossover hit "Amazed," which spent eight weeks at Number One on the Country chart, and also reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100.

No other act had topped both charts since 1983, when Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton achieved that feat with their duet, "Islands In The Stream."  

The four members of Lonestar co-wrote eight of the 10 tracks on their new album.  For the first time in their career, they also produced the entire collection.

Lonestar's lead guitarist Michael Britt says, "We feel that this album is a complete reflection of the group, circa 2010.  It's personal and powerful music that reflect the core values of Lonestar through lyrics, performance and production."  

Lonestar is promoting "Party Heard Around the World" on national television shows through the end of May.  They'll wrap up the media tour with an appearance on a public television Memorial Day Concert on May 31.  Lonestar will spend the remainder of the year performing concerts throughout North America.