Restless Heart Bio
Playing a pop-friendly brand of country-rock indebted to the
Eagles, Restless Heart was one of the most popular country bands of the
late '80s and early '90s, scoring numerous hits on the country charts
and a few major successes on adult contemporary radio as well. The band
first got together in 1984 at the behest of producer/songwriter Tim
DuBois, who wanted some musicians to demo a batch of material that
walked the line between country and pop. Drummer/vocalist John
Dittrich, pianist Dave Innis, bassist/vocalist Paul Gregg, and
guitarist Greg Jennings were initially joined by singer Verlon
Thompson, and the demo sessions went so well that the group decided to
stay together and pursue a record deal. They signed with RCA in 1983,
at which point Thompson was replaced by lead singer Larry Stewart, a
demo vocalist Innis knew from Belmont College in Nashville.
Restless Heart's self-titled debut album was released in 1985 and
contained three Top Ten hits: "I Want Everyone to Cry," "(Back to The)
Heartbreak Kid," and "Til I Loved You." The 1986 follow-up, Wheels, was
their true breakthrough release, topping the country charts and
producing four number one hits: "That Rock Won't Roll," the ballad
"I'll Still Be Loving You" (also a number three adult contemporary
hit), "Why Does It Have to Be (Wrong or Right)," and "Wheels." 1988's
Big Dreams in a Small Town was a successful follow-up, giving the band
six consecutive chart-toppers thanks to its first two singles, "A
Tender Lie" and "The Bluest Eyes in Texas"; its title track and "Say
What's in Your Heart" also went Top Five. The title of 1989's Fast
Movin' Train was an apt metaphor for the band's career, as it spawned
two more Top Five hits in the title track and "Dancy's Dream."
Stewart left the group for a solo career in 1990; he later scored a big
hit with "Alright Already," but never quite matched it. Meanwhile,
Gregg and Dittrich split lead vocal duties on 1992's Big Iron Horses,
which gave them another crossover smash with "When She Cries"; it went
Top Ten country, hit number two adult contemporary, and just missed the
pop Top Ten. Innis left the band in 1992, and the remaining trio
watched "Tell Me What You Dream" become their first adult contemporary
chart-topper in 1993. However, after 1994's Matters of the Heart, they
decided to disband. Jennings joined Vince Gill's band, while Dittrich
worked with the Buffalo Club. 1998 saw a Restless Heart reunion --
minus Innis -- that resulted in four new tracks for that year's
Greatest Hits compilation, as well as a tour with Gill. ~ Steve Huey,
All Music Guide
Written by Steve Huey
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