Let's Be Us Again (CD - 2004)

Personnel: Michael Britt (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Dean Sams (vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica, piano, keyboards); Richie McDonald (vocals, acoustic guitar, keyboards); John Willis, B. James Lowry (acoustic guitar); Dann Huff (electric guitar); Paul Franklin (steel guitar); Jonathan Yudkin (mandolin, fiddle); Dan Hochhalter, Rob Hajacos (fiddle); Jimmy Nichols (strings, piano, keyboards); Matt Rollings (piano); Tim Akers (keyboards); Keech Rainwater (drums, percussion); Paul Leim (drums); Eric Darken (percussion); Russell Terrell (background vocals).

Additional personnel: Mike Brignardello (bass guitar); Dann Huff, Eric Darken, John Willis, Matt Rollings, Paul Franklin, Rob Hajacos, B. James Lowry, Tim Akers, Jonathan Yudkin, Paul Leim, Jimmy Nichols, Russell Terrell.

Audio Mixer: Jeff Balding.

Recording information: Emerald Entertainment; James Place; Sony Studio; Tree Studio.

Photographer: Russ Harrington.

With a number of multi-platinum albums under its collective belt, country group Lonestar has succeeded where others have failed by combining the usual sparkling production values and top-notch songwriting craft of Nashville's best with down-home directness and bluegrass-influenced vocal harmonies. LET'S BE US AGAIN represents one of the ensemble's most mature and personal efforts. All but one of the tunes here were written or co-written by group members, and that undoubtedly contributes to the added dose of sincerity with which Lonestar imbues the performances. Led by lead vocalist Richie McDonald, the quartet celebrates the simple things, from the detailed description of a small-town hoe-down on "Country Fair" to "Mr. Mom," the tale of a hapless stay-at-home father. minimize