Released in March 1999, the melody was a love song that became an instant earworm of poignant lyrics and uber-catchy Nashville tones. So much so, it ultimately becoming the first country song to top the Billboard Hot 100 Chart since Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton did so in 1983 with “Islands in the Stream.”

Now, more than 25 years later, “Amazed” has become a radio staple, one that’s transcended rhyme or reason as to explaining its enduring popularity — it just simply hit the airwaves at the right time and place. Whether you’re just cruising down the highways and backroads of America or attending a gathering of friends and family, the tune continually bubbles up to the surface.

And yet, beyond “Amazed” and the other number one hits by Lonestar (nine total), what does remain is a steadfast and hardscrabble country band, where a keen work ethic and ethos of connectivity with its loyal audience is a testament to the group’s longevity as it soon approaches its 35^th anniversary together.

Smoky Mountain News: Looking back on the earliest days of Lonestar. What do you vividly remember about the starting line of the band and its intent?

Keech Rainwater (drummer): The feeling was very positive and exciting. We were so over the moon excited that we actually landed a record deal and were going to be releasing brand new original material that hopefully would stack up against what was out at the time, like Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney and Alabama.

There was also a nervous feeling about how the public was going to react to yet another band on the radio. We were also learning so much about the industry as we were pretty new to that side of the business.

Then, kind of starting over with shows where it was mostly playing our new album to people who had no idea who we were. Slowly though, it began to take off with our single “No News.” With a fresh music video on CMT and GAC, it was all on now and things got really busy.

SMN: Country music. For you, personally and professionally, what really, truly and honestly separates country music from other genres?

KW: It’s always seemed to me that country music is huge when it comes to telling a story and understanding the words being emoted. It’s like when you would hear a rock or pop song, you felt like dancing and most of the time, for me, I didn’t even know what the singer was singing about. Like “Benny and the Jets” by Elton John — I still couldn’t even tell you what he was singing about, but it was a great song.

It seems like country music has that ability to make you stop what you were doing and just listen to the story and feel something. It can be sad, happy, moody or whatever. It just makes your heart beat a little differently.

SMN: “Amazed.” When that song hit the airwaves and caught fire, what was that experience like, to be able to see and experience your wildest dreams happen as a musician and a band?

KR: When "Amazed" was pitched to us back then, as we were recording the “Lonely Grill” record, it seemed like just an ordinary song to most of us. There was no real sense of it being this giant hit.

After it was released to radio, it had a slow start, but kept gaining airplay. We were so busy at that time touring and playing shows, [so] it took us a while to realize how special it was. As it kept climbing and climbing the charts, we were “amazed” at the momentum it had. Then it went to number one. We were so excited and still had no idea it was about to spend another eight to nine weeks there at number one on the charts.

I think the real surprise was when some pop stations had gotten ahold of the UK mix of the song — a little more euro sounding — and started to play it more and more. Next thing we know, it reaches number one on the “Hot 100” AC chart.

After that, everything kind of seemed like a blur. We kept busy trying to keep up with that success and continually trying to top the last hit. To this day, we are still very humbled by that song and how much it means to our fans. I just wish I had written it.

SMN: The 35th anniversary of Lonestar is not far on the horizon. When you think about the journey y’all have been, what has been your biggest takeaway from everything that's happened and continues to unfold?

KR: I personally feel like being in a band for this long with some of the greatest musicians I’ve known and performing each night like we do, it’s one of the most satisfying feelings in my life. Each guy on that stage was meant to be there and fits in like a puzzle piece. Being just one part of that machine is something that I think we all live for.

When a group has been together for so long and you hear the sound that can come from decades of experience and collaboration, you can’t help but feel something in the air. There’s a kind of magic there I feel.

Want to go?
Acclaimed country band Lonestar will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 20, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. Tickets start at $25 per person with seating upgrades available. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, click on smokymountainarts.com or call 866.273.4615.