First Posted: 5/10/2014

Lonestar, the award-winning, multi-platinum country music quartet with crossover smash hits like “Amazed,” “I’m Already There’’ and “Come Cryin’ to Me,” will headline the 2014 Misericordia University Under the Stars Summer Arts Festival on Saturday, July 19 in support of their 11th studio album, “Life As We Know It.’’

Come celebrate the spirit of America during the annual Jazz in July performance with the musical, “All Hands on Deck!,’’ on Monday, July 14. Both performances will begin at 8 p.m. in the Wells Fargo Amphitheater on campus.

Tickets for the Starlight Concert featuring Lonestar and Jazz in July go on sale Monday, May 19. Tickets for Lonestar are $380 for a festival table that seats six; $35 for amphitheater seating and $20 for lawn seating. “All Hands on Deck!” tickets are $180 for a festival table that seats six; $20 for amphitheater seating, and $10 for lawn seats.

Lonestar is engaged in a more than 90-city tour in support of its first album with original lead singer Richie McDonald since the group produced “Mountains’’ in 2006. With McDonald and his harmonious voice, other founding members Michael Britt (lead guitar, backing vocals), Keech Rainwater (drums) and Dean Sams (keyboards) will perform their classic hits as well as new songs such as “With My Eyes Open’’ and “Just the Rain.’’

Overall, Lonestar has amassed sales in excess of 10 million albums since they released their self-titled debut album in 1995. Known for merging their country roots with strong melodies and rich vocals, the band has recorded 10 No. 1 country hits, nine Top 10 pop hits, including “No News,” “Come Cryin’ to Me,’’ and its crossover smash “Amazed,” which was also No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 – the first record since 1983’s “Islands in the Stream’’ by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton to accomplish that feat.

“Amazed’’ lasted eight weeks atop the country charts and earned the band the Academy of Country Music Single of the Year Award and Song of the Year Award in 1999. In 2001, they received the Country Music Association’s Vocal Group of the Year Award.

The band originally formed in Nashville, Tenn., in 1992. It played more than 500 shows before landing a recording a contract. By the time its released its first album, it already had an enthusiastic fan base. Their first single, “Tequila Talkin,’ went Top 10 on the country charts and “No News’’ became Lonestar’s first No. 1 country single.

The annual Jazz in July event features “All Hands on Deck!,” a new 1940’s musical conceived by Jody Madaras and Quincy Marr. Madaras, who wrote the play, musical arrangements, music and lyrics, also directs, choreographs and acts in the production that features more than 40 classic Big Band-era songs.

The storyline is based on Bob Hope’s 1942 USO tour produced for the troops in the field during World War II. The two-act revue is performed by four charismatic singers, dancers and comedians, and a nine-piece orchestra. It features the songs, dancing and frivolity that America has loved since the 1940s.

For more information call 570-674-6719.