Posted in News on 04. Aug, 2008
Restless Heart, comprised of drummer John Dittrich, bassist Paul Gregg, keyboardist Dave Innis, guitarist Greg Jennings and vocalist Larry Stewart, is one of the most accomplished and successful vocal groups, in any genre of music, of all time. The group accrued twenty-six hits on the country charts with seven #1 hits and nine others landed them in the Top Ten. They also experienced cross-over success with six songs making the adult contemporary charts; including the #1, #2 and #3 spots. In one brief decade that began in the late 80′s and ended in the mid 90′s, Restless Heart earned three gold albums, had seven singles in a row go straight to number one, received twelve Grammy, CMA, ACM nominations and were named ACM’s Vocal Group of the Year. Few groups, before or since, have been able to garner such a solid following on both country and adult contemporary radio.
Their exceptional vocal harmonies, delivered with flawless perfection, led to a string of hits that included “Bluest Eyes in Texas,” “I’ll Still Be Loving You,” “That Rock Won’t Roll,” and “Why Does It Have to Be (Wrong or Right).” Then the early 90’s Crossover smash “When She Cries.” Disbanding the way they did, what they now simply refer to as “irreconcilable differences”, left them without closure and it was fourteen years before they reunited in the studio. Their long over-due reunion resulted in a their long over-due latest studio album, aptly titled, Still Restless.
The award-winning band, with all five original members, now sounds better than ever. In “What We Know Now,” the autobiographical final cut on their previous project, they sing “We were reckless, young and proud. We had the whole thing figured out. We never saw the writing on the wall. Even though we thought we knew it all. Oh my friend, if we knew then what we know now.” It is very clear that, with the passing of time, they have deciphered the writing on the wall and the best part is that they do know now what they didn’t know then. They haven’t lost any of the talent that took them to the top of the charts and their vocal harmonies remain so tight you wouldn’t be able to get a laser beam between them.
Today, driven by the musical force which brought them together more than a quarter of a century ago, and tempered by their combined experiences and talent, Restless Heart continues to thrill old and new fans by doing what they do best, making great music and having fun.
Posted in News on 28. May, 2008
Pictured (L-R): Wachtler, Berg, Vassar, Stewart, Fisher and Parnell
Randy Wachtler, Pres./CEO of 615 Music, hosted a fundraiser gala for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as part of his campaign for the non-profit’s Nashville’s Man of the Year 2008. Phil Vassar, Lee Roy Parnell, Larry Stewart (Restless Heart), and Dave Berg performed at the intimate event at Wachtler’s home. Guests included music industry friends, Titans coach Jeff Fisher and NFL star Neil O’Donnell.
Wachtler is raising funds in honor of his late mother, Joyce Morton, who died from Leukemia at age 44; 13-year-old Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia patient Jamie Grace Dubois, daughter of music executive Tim Dubois; and 18-year-old musician Ben Bjork, a 10-year survivor of B-cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma.
“It’s always an honor to help raise money for a great cause, especially when it hits so close to home,” Larry said. Tim Dubois is the founder/co-producer of Restless Heart.
Through May 30, contributions to Wachtler’s campaign can be made online (click here to donate) and by mail, made payable to LLS c/o 615 Music Companies, 1030 16th Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37212.
Posted in News on 15. May, 2008
Restless Heart isn’t waiting until CMA Music Fest to start the party in Nashville. They are saddling up to launch their 2008 Silver Anniversary tour Music City-style Sunday, June 1, at the famous Wildhorse Saloon.
“It’s gonna be a party kinda night,” said lead singer, Larry Stewart. “We’re looking forward to celebrating the 14th anniversary of the Wildhorse with our tour launch party.
“It will be our second show in Nashville in the last two months,” Stewart noted. “Playing for the hometown crowd is a great way to get the summer started.”
In April, Restless Heart headlined the WKDF Birthday Bash at the Sommet Center. According to the station’s post concert survey, Restless Heart was the favorite act of the eight hour concert with an overwhelming 57 percent of the vote!
This is the band’s first performance in the Wildhorse Saloon but certainly not the first performances of their multiple Top Ten songs. It’s rare an aspiring country star on the Wildhorse stage wouldn’t include a few Restless Heart songs in their playlist.
Sunday, June 1 is the time to hear those great songs performed by Restless Heart.
Tickets are $10 to $45 and available online through Ticketmaster. The $45 VIP tickets include a Meet and Greet with the band. Doors open at 6 pm and dinner is available.
Posted in News on 28. Mar, 2008
By CINDY WATTS • Staff Writer • The Tennessean
If you listen to country radio, you’ve likely heard local DJs touting Restless Heart’s “reunion” show Sunday at Sommet Center. The band will join country singers including Randy Owen, Lee Brice and Bucky Covington to play 103.3 WKDF’s Birthday Bash concert.
But Restless Heart’s performance is actually more of an anniversary than it is a reunion. In fact, all five original members of Restless Heart — John Dittrich, Paul Gregg, Dave Innis, Greg Jennings and Larry Stewart — have been reunited and playing shows together since 2001. And this year the band is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
“Sometimes it feels like 25 (years), sometimes it feels like five (years), sometimes it feels like 125 (years),” said Jennings, who plays guitar in the band. “This (performance) isn’t a one time only thing. We’re a going concern. We’re going to play many more (shows) after this one.” (more…)
