Perfect Stranger (band)

Biography

Perfect Stranger was founded in 1986 in Carthage, Texas by Steve Murray (lead vocals), Shayne Morrison (bass guitar), Richard Raines (lead guitar), and Andy Ginn (drums). They originally performed as Midnight Express before assuming the name Perfect Stranger. The four artists played together throughout the state of Texas, mostly in clubs and at rodeos. In December 1994, they released an independent album on the Pacific label, entitled It's Up to You. Featured on it was the single "Ridin' the Rodeo". Written by Vince Gill and Kostas, the song was considered the biggest independent country music hit in the United States at the time, although it never reached the Billboard charts.

A second single, entitled "You Have the Right to Remain Silent", followed soon afterward. By the time of its release, Perfect Stranger's success as an independent act had been noticed by Curb Records, who acquired the band's debut album and its single. Curb continued promoting "You Have the Right to Remain Silent". It's Up to You was then re-packaged and re-released in 1995 as You Have the Right to Remain Silent, the band's major-label debut. By the middle of the year, its title track had reached No. 4 on the country music charts, and No. 61 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s, Perfect Stranger continued to chart singles on occasion, although none of their other singles entered Top 40 on the country music charts. By the end of the 1990s, Andy Ginn had departed, with Marty Arbter taking over on drums. They eventually left Curb in the late 1990s, but rejoined the label in the early 2000s.

The band's second album, The Hits, was issued in 2001, also on Curb. This album included a re-recording of "You Have the Right to Remain Silent", as well as "Fire When Ready" and "A Little Bit More of Your Love", which had charted in 1997. The album also produced two more non-charting singles in its title track (co-written by former MCA Records artist Marty Brown) and "Miracle". After these two, the band exited Curb again.

All of the original members except Morrison eventually left. They were replaced by co-lead vocalists Clint Williams and Marcus Eldridge, Chad Ware (guitar), and Doug Martin (drums). A third album, Shake the World, was released on June 2, 2009 via Smith Music Group.

Original members Morrison, Raines and Murray briefly re-established in 2010 with new drummer Scott Zucknick.

Richard Raines died on June 1, 2013 at his home in Mineola, Texas following a long battle with depression. He was 48.

Discography

You Have the Right to Remain Silent

1. "Remember the Ride" (Michael Harrell, Kim Williams) – 3:18
2. "It's Up to You" (Jim Lauderdale, Gary Nicholson) – 2:36
3. "One More Repossession" (Williams, Oscar Turman) – 2:30
4. "You Have the Right to Remain Silent" (Brenda Sweat, Cal Sweat) – 3:28
5. "Ridin' the Rodeo" (Kostas, Vince Gill) – 3:03
6. "I Ain't Never" (Mel Tillis, Webb Pierce) – 2:38
7. "Who Are You" (Gary Cotton, Cindy Greene, Bobby Carmichael) – 3:06
8. "Cut Me Off" (Richard Fagan, Wynn Varble, Gerald Smith) – 2:50
9. "I Am a Stranger Here Myself" (Dave Lindsey, Matt Lindsey, Michael Keith) – 3:59
10. "Even the Jukebox Can't Forget" (Trey Bruce, Craig Wiseman) – 3:41

The Hits

1. "The Hits" (Kevin Durham, Marty Brown) – 4:13
2. "Runnin' Thru My Mind" (James LeBlanc) – 3:39
3. "Miracle" (Shayne Morrison) – 3:33
4. "A Little Bit More of Your Love" (Kelly Garrett, Jason Deere) – 2:39
5. "Absolute Crazy" (Walt Wilkins, Dana Hunt) – 3:41
6. "Take the Weekend Off" (Jason Green, Tim Buppert) – 3:11
7. "My Heart Looks the Other Way" (Tim Mensy, Gary Harrison) – 3:10
8. "Fire When Ready" (Tom Shapiro, Tony Martin) – 3:03
9. "Ain't It Strange How Things Turn Around" (Leslie Satcher, Clay Blaker) – 3:11
10. "Ain't That Somethin'" (Brenton Roberts, Tony Marty) – 3:26
11. "You Have the Right to Remain Silent" (Cal Sweat, Brenda Sweat) – 3:30

Shake the World

1. "Hey Virginia" – 4:29
2. "Can't Run Away" – 3:01
3. "Downtown Neon Lights" – 3:12
4. "Shake the World" – 3:48
5. "Turn Around Point" – 2:24
6. "Unwelcome Guest" – 4:38
7. "The Comeback" – 3:32
8. "Highway Girl" – 3:55
9. "Beautiful Regret" – 3:21
10. "Slow Motion" – 3:14