Article published Mar 19, 2009
Preview by Dave Richards
When Motley Crue pulled into Erie, PA, band members arrived on four separate buses. That won't be the case for reunited country band Restless Heart, which plays Meadville on Sunday.
Lead singer Larry Stewart says time and distance healed whatever rifts rocked them in past. They're fine now.
"We all ride on the same bus and everything," said Stewart with a laugh. "We all get along great. Everybody knows each other so well, the little quirks and idiosyncrasies. It's just a more mature environment.
"Why would I want to be on a bus by myself? I'd have nobody to tell my really bad jokes to!"
Like this one: Why would a successful country vocal group that had nine Top 10 hits, including "Bluest Eyes in Texas," "Til I Love You," and "That Rock Won't Roll," break up in the first place?
Stewart said it was a case of career overload. Country bands record, tour, record, tour. Restless Heart needed some rest.
"The true story behind it all is that myself and Greg Jennings, our guitar player, were going to take some time off at the end of [1991]," Stewart said. "We got to the point where the five of us were just fried. People were having professional issues, personal issues.
"You know it's like a marriage, only with five guys. You're spending more time together than normal, and in country music, it's a 12-month-a-year deal especially when things are rolling well."
At the last minute, however, Jennings decided not to step away.
"I just went ahead," said Stewart. "I couldn't continue on in that environment. I decided to get out for a while."
Stewart later cut a solo record. Two years later, keyboard player Dave Innis also left Restless Heart. Four members -- everyone but Innis -- reunited to assemble a second "Greatest Hits" set in 1998 and to tour with Vince Gill. Then they parted again.
By 2001 -- some 10 years after he first walked away -- Stewart was instrumental in getting all five members back together for good.
"Probably me and our drummer John Dittrich were the most aggressive, as far as everyone getting together," Stewart said. "Dave came to town; he wasn't living here. I called a couple of the guys. One thing led to another. We all talked and said, 'You know, what we had was great. What a great run. Let's go see if they can book us some shows.'
"We called our booking agent, and he couldn't believe we were all together. He had to come over to Greg's to see us all talking to believe us. That's when it started, right there."
It didn't hurt their case that contemporary stars cited Restless Heart's harmony-laden country as a huge influence.
"Brad Paisley and the Rascal Flatts guys on a number of occasions mentioned us as giving them the opportunity to do what they do," Steward said. "We heard from a lot of musicians and songwriters who heard 'Bluest Eyes in Texas' and said, 'Wow, if that's country, I want to be a part of it.'
"Paisley used to cover a bunch of our songs. We did a few shows with him last year, and on his encore, we came out and did Restless Heart songs, like 'Big Dreams in a Small Town.' You know, that's pretty neat."'
2009 marks the 25th anniversary of Restless Heart's debut. Stewart says they're not done yet. They'll record a studio CD and their first Christmas release later this year.
The second time around, he's enjoying it more.
"To put the original five guys together was really neat, and lo and behold, we're still doing it. We realized that we have something that's very special when we play and sing together. It's really magical."
The new 25 AND LIVE CD celebrates Restless Heart's 25th year. All 5 original members of the band are still together and playing their timeless music. This is the first live cd the group has ever recorded and released - and while most of the songs included are their top hits and most requested favorites, each one of the tracks has specially added touches and subtle variations that add new feeling to these songs that have been loved for years (including seven number 1 singles).
Their legendary harmonies and trademark precision instrumentals are once again fully captured - this time, before a live audience. Restless Heart has a busy tour schedule throughout the year, so they may be performing near where you live. Until then, 25 AND LIVE is the best way to experience their music anytime you feel the urge.
Be sure to visit this web page often to see up-to-date information on tour cities and dates. Want to increase the chances of a show in your area? Contact nearby venues and ask them to book Restless Heart!
Experience 25 incredible years of music and memories in this new special collection. For the first time ever, you can purchase: Still Restless, 25 & Live, and The Video Hits for just $29.99 (a 40% discount). If you don't own this collection of RH history, now is the time to buy.
This limited time offer contains: Still Restless CD: The only studio album with the original five members in over a decade. This album will no longer be printed so pick up one of the final physical copies before they're gone.
Video Hits DVD: The complete collection of video history with songs like The Bluest Eyes In Texas, When She Cries, Dancy's Dream, Tender Lie, Fast Moving Train and many more.
25 And Live CD: The first and only Live CD ever recorded by the band - now in its 2nd pressing. You get 14 favorites, including 7 number 1 hits and 13 Top 10's. Proving that their unique, awesome sound is just as good now, as it ever was.
**BONUS: Order today and receive a never before available, 8 x 10 photo autographed by all 5 members of the band!
This package is available only through this offer and only while supplies last.
The harmonies are pure silver, polished to a high sheen. And, as easily as silver conducts electricity, their music has electrified audiences around the world for 25 years. Legendary country music group, Restless Heart, is celebrating their Silver Anniversary – 25 years of perfecting the art of entertaining.
As silver starts as a by-product of the mining of other minerals, Restless Heart came together in late 1983 as the by-product of a project by famed writer/producer Tim Dubois. He was looking for exceptionally talented studio musicians to record demos of songs he had written. The lustrous voices of that “demo band” rose quickly to the surface and Restless Heart signed a recording contract with RCA Records in 1985.
With the release of their first album that year, the vocal style of Restless Heart became instantly identifiable – an intertwining five part harmony led by Larry Stewart, with Dave Innis ..boards, Greg Jennings on lead guitar, Paul Gregg on bass and drummer, John Dittrich. They brought a new, contemporary sound to Nashville, a sound with a touch of pop – the sound which so strongly influences the popular country acts of today like Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts and Little Big Town.
Gold became the standard for the group with the release of that self-titled album. Three more gold albums followed between 1986 and 1991. With an additional six albums released through the years, Restless Heart put 26 hits on the country charts with six 1 hits and nine others in the Top Ten. Cross-over success, rare in the music world, was also theirs with six songs making the adult contemporary charts, including taking the 1, 2 and 3 spots.
Success is rarely easy to manage. The controversies in creating a new sound, the endless concert trail, the demand for interviews and appearances, and lack of time with their families took a toll on the band. Larry Stewart left the group for a solo career in 1991 and Dave Innis left in 1993. With seven albums behind them, the group disbanded by 1996.
Four band members, minus Dave Innis, reunited briefly in 1998 to produce a second “Greatest Hits” compilation and tour with good friend, Vince Gill. In 2001, those same four members gathered in Greg Jennings’ home studio to record a special tribute for a long-time fan. The spark was ignited to bring the original group back together. An emotional phone call to Dave Innis put Restless Heart back on the road. Their first real gig as a reunited group was the 2002 Operation Season’s Greetings, an overseas military entertainment tour. They haven’t stopped touring since, averaging more than 100 shows per year, including an around-the-world military tour in 2007.
Today, driven by the musical force which brought them together 25 years ago and tempered by experience, Restless Heart continues to thrill old and new fans by doing what they do best, making great music and having fun.
RESTLESS HEART, THINKING OF YOU MY SWEET FRIENDS AND SENDING MANY WISHES YOUR WAY FOR A VERY HAPPY JULY 4TH !!! I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE HOLIDAY AND THE BIG LONG HOLIDAY WEEKEND. MY HOPES ARE THAT YOU WILL NOT ONLY REMEMBER OUR TROOPS (PAST AND PRESENT) DURING THIS VERY SPECIAL HOLIDAY BUT ALSO SAY A SPECIAL PRAYER FOR THEM. I HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY WEEKEND AND I HOPE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO REST, RELAX, HAVE LOTS OF FUN, ENJOY YOURSELVES AND BE ABLE TO SPEND GOOD QUALITY TIME WITH YOUR LOVED ONES, YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS MY WONDERFUL FRIEND. PLEASE ENJOY YOURSELF BUT MOST OF ALL TAKE CARE AND BE SAFE !!!! LOVE & HUGGSSS & BLESSINGS ........ BONNIE
Are you enjoying your summer in Branson? I wish I could be there for that 4th of July concert. I bet that's gonna sound awesome! I would love to see some pics from your time in Branson if you ever get around to posting some. Have a great holiday weekend. You guys are the best! =)
Thanks for adding me...gotta tell ya I have posted an album of a few pix of when you played on May 24, 1991 in Bluefield WV. Check them out if you like. The album is titled easy enough for you to find. Take care, Linda (Nina Lollojupiter) PS. I have more from after the show but can't post them on here. LOL
HEY,HOPE EVERYONE IS GREAT. SAME OL', SAME OL' FOR US. THERE IS A NEW SONG(LEAN ON ME) UP ON OUR MYSPACE. CHECK IT OUT. HAVE A GREAT START OF THE SUMMER/ REBEL ROAD
Thanks soooooooooo much for the show Saturday night! It was fantastic. Woulda love to have heard "Tell Me What You Dream" but all in all it was still incredible seeing y'all. It was my baby boy's first concert. What a better way to introduce him to good music than to take him to a Restless Heart show. Thanks again. Get back to Arkansas ASAP!
You are all in my prayers always as you travel, but especially you Paul at this sad time in your life. I can't even begin to tell you what your music and voices do to soothe my soul! God bless you all!
