Restless Heart

File:Tim Dubois, October, 2019.jpg assembled Restless Heart in 1984.|alt=A headshot of record executive Tim DuBois.]]

Tim DuBois, a Nashville, Tennessee-based record producer, songwriter, and industry executive, assembled the band in 1984 to record demos of songs he had written. The members he chose were drummer John Dittrich, bass guitarist Paul Gregg, keyboardist Dave Innis, guitarist and mandolinist Greg Jennings, and lead singer Verlon Thompson.{{cite web |url={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p1788/biography|pure_url=yes}} |title=Restless Heart biography |access-date=2008-01-07 |last=Huey |first=Steve |work=Allmusic}} All five members had experience as country music session musicians or touring musicians. In particular, Innis had played on various demos for DuBois prior to his decision to create a band, and Dittrich had been a backing musician for Gail Davies. Jennings and DuBois had known each other from attending Oklahoma State University in the 1970s; the two were also classmates of Scott Hendricks, who would serve as the band's sound engineer in addition to co-producing with DuBois.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/891355527/ | title=Restless Heart: Bringing country rock back to Oklahoma | work=Tulsa World | date=May 2, 1986 | accessdate=May 29, 2023 | author=John Wooley | pages=B2}}

Thompson left before the band had officially been named or released a single because he did not feel comfortable with the country pop style that DuBois wanted the band to pursue.{{cite news|url=https://thesouthern.com/entertainment/music/grammy-nominee-verlon-thompson-plays-the-old-feed-store/article_d9c1e50d-079b-5431-a654-1f9773afb5b5.html|title=Grammy nominee Verlon Thompson plays The Old Feed Store|last=Hoffard|first=Vince|date=January 13, 2016|work=The Southern Illinoisan|access-date=June 17, 2018}} Replacing him on lead vocals was Larry Stewart, a college friend of Innis's. At the time, Stewart was working as a demo vocalist, in addition to working in the stockrooms of the Country Music Hall of Fame and mowing lawns at the Nashville offices of Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI). After leaving the group, Thompson recorded both by himself and in collaboration with Guy Clark, in addition to writing several country hit singles in the 1990s. Stewart initially refused to join the band, as he did not think he was capable of serving as a lead singer; he rejected DuBois's offers to join the band twice before consulting with his mother and then-fiancée, both of whom encouraged him to join. The band then began rehearsing and recording demos with Stewart on lead vocals. As they had not officially selected a name yet, they referred to themselves as the Okie Project, due to three of the members and Hendricks all being natives of Oklahoma.Roland, p. 495 One of the demos they recorded was for "Love in the First Degree", later a hit for Alabama.{{cite book|last1=Flint|first1=Joseph H.|last2=Nelson|first2=Judy A.|title=The insider's country music handbook|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pin7Ya25sGkC|date=August 24, 1993|publisher=Gibbs-Smith|page=280|isbn=9780879055639}} Due to the success of the demos, the members chose to become an official band, and they were signed to RCA Records Nashville in 1984.

Despite being signed, the band had yet to select a name. DuBois insisted the band members come up with a name before they released a single. He asked the members to submit potential names, which resulted in a list with "about fifty" entries; after this, he locked all five members in an office for seven hours until they agreed on a name. They narrowed the list down to five entries, on which they then voted by using a five-point scale, with five points for the names they liked most and one point for the ones they liked the least. This initially led to the name Heartbreak Kid getting the most votes, but after DuBois asked the band members if they were certain they liked the name, they voted a second time and chose the name Restless Heart due to it receiving one more point than the others. Once they had assumed the name Restless Heart, the band members began working on recording an album with DuBois and Hendricks as producers.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-news-journal-restless-heart-al/130629239/ |first=Jim |last=Lewis|agency=UPI | title=Restless Heart almost had a hit without a name | work=The Daily News-Journal | date=June 9, 1985 | accessdate=May 29, 2023 | page=Accent 6}}

After assuming the name Restless Heart, the band released its self-titled debut album on RCA Nashville in 1985. It charted four singles on Billboard Hot Country Songs: "Let the Heartache Ride", "I Want Everyone to Cry", "(Back to the) Heartbreak Kid" (previously recorded by Kathy Mattea on her self-titled debut album{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/kathy-mattea-mw0000197442|title=Kathy Mattea|work=Allmusic|access-date=July 30, 2018}}), and "Til I Loved You." DuBois co-wrote "Let the Heartache Ride" and "(Back to the) Heartbreak Kid" with Van Stephenson. According to Jennings, some stations refused to play "Let the Heartache Ride" due to its more country rock sound at a time when neotraditional country was beginning to rise in popularity. John Wooley of the Tulsa World reviewed the album favorably, praising the "intricate, tight harmonies and crisp instrumentation."{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/891467864/ | title=On the Record | work=Tulsa World | date=March 22, 1985 | accessdate=May 31, 2023 | author=John Wooley | pages=B4}} After "I Want Everyone to Cry" became the band's first top-ten hit,Whitburn, p. 300 DuBois and RCA promoted the band through radio showcases and music video rotation. This included a video for "(Back to the) Heartbreak Kid", which aired on VH-1. DuBois felt that touring was not a financial necessity for the band at the time, due to all five members also being session musicians and having songwriting contracts with Warner Music Group at the time. While under such a contract, Innis co-wrote "Dare Me", a hit single for the Pointer Sisters.

Despite DuBois's statements about touring, the band began doing so in 1986. One of their first concerts was with Rita Coolidge in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Also that year, RCA released the band's second album Wheels. All four singles from the album went to number one on the country music charts. First was "That Rock Won't Roll", a song which Innis had initially thought was "too pop" to be a hit single on country radio until the song reached number one.Roland, pp. 470-471 The follow-up single "I'll Still Be Loving You" was a song that had been originally offered to Kenny Rogers, who turned it down. It was band's second number-one country hit and their first song to be successful outside the country music charts. The song peaked at number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the first country song to be a top 40 pop hit since Willie Nelson and Julio Iglesias' "To All the Girls I've Loved Before" in early 1984.Roland, pp. 481-482 Additionally, "I'll Still Be Loving You" reached number three on the Adult Contemporary charts.

Released third and also reaching number one on the Billboard country charts was "Why Does It Have to Be (Wrong or Right)", co-written by Randy Sharp. This song had been rejected from the first album and had originally been rejected from Wheels as well, due to the band considering it too similar in sound to Exile. RCA executives insisted that the band record the song anyway in order to provide more up-tempo material for the album, and Gregg threatened to quit unless they recorded it. This song was a minor adult contemporary hit as well. "Hummingbird", the B-side of "Why Does It Have to Be (Wrong or Right)", was later recorded by Ricky Skaggs on his 1989 album Kentucky Thunder and was a top 20 country hit for him in 1990.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/kentucky-thunder-mw0000653728|title=Kentucky Thunder|work=Allmusic|access-date=June 17, 2018}}Whitburn, p. 307 The fourth and final country single from Wheels was the title track, which topped the country charts in 1987. This song was written by Dave Loggins and originally recorded by The Bellamy Brothers on their 1985 album Howard & David.{{cite AV media notes |title=Howard & David |others=The Bellamy Brothers |year=1985 |type=CD booklet |publisher=MCA Records/Curb Records |id=MCA-5586}}{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a2WgP8q0KNIC | title=99 Red Balloons And 100 Other All Time Great One-Hit Wonders | publisher=Citadel Press | author=Brent Mann | year=2003 | page=6 | isbn=9780806525167}} The B-side, "New York (Hold Her Tight)", accounted for Restless Heart's third chart entry on Billboard{{'}}s Adult Contemporary chart.{{cite web | url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/restless-heart/chart-history/asi/ | title=Restless Heart chart history - Adult Contemporary | publisher=Billboard | accessdate=May 30, 2023}}

Wheels had favorable critical and commercial reception. James M. Tarbox of Knight Ridder thought the songs were stronger than those of the debut album, highlighting "Victim of the Game" and "New York (Hold Her Tight)" in particular.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/157752660/ | title=Restless Heart rolls forward on 'Wheels' | work=Albuquerque Journal | date=December 5, 1986 | accessdate=May 29, 2023 | author=James M. Tarbox | pages=C10}} Tom Roland of AllMusic later wrote that "[t]he guys found their niche with this project. Big, overpowering sound, heavy backbeats, and very tight harmonies are here."{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/wheels-mw0000650682|title=Wheels|last=Roland|first=Tom|work=Allmusic|access-date=June 17, 2018}} In the Virgin Encyclopedia of Country Music, Colin Larkin noted that "I'll Still Be Loving You" became a popular song for fans to play at their weddings. The song was nominated at the 30th Annual Grammy Awards in 1988, in the category of Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.{{cite web | url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/restless-heart/15912 | title=Search results for Restless Heart | publisher=Grammy.com | accessdate=May 29, 2023}} This nomination led to the band performing the song on the awards telecast. On March 2, 1988, Wheels was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of 500,000 copies in the United States.{{cite web | url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=restless+heart#search_section | title=Search results for Restless Heart | publisher=Recording Industry Association of America | accessdate=May 29, 2023}} Also during this timespan, the band contributed the song "Don't Ask the Reason Why" to the soundtrack of the 1987 movie The Secret of My Success. Restless Heart's tour schedule at this point included concerts with other RCA Nashville artists such as Alabama, Juice Newton, Eddie Rabbitt, and Earl Thomas Conley.{{cite journal | url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1986/CB-1986-11-08.pdf | title=A new stage for Restless Heart | journal=Cash Box | pages=10 | date=November 8, 1986}}

The band's third album, Big Dreams in a Small Town, came in 1988. From it came two more number one singles: "The Bluest Eyes in Texas" and "A Tender Lie", as well as top-five hits in its title track and "Say What's in Your Heart". This album was also the first to feature members other than Stewart on lead vocals: Gregg sang "El Dorado" and shared lead vocals with Stewart on both "Carved in Stone" and "The Bluest Eyes in Texas", while Dittrich sang "Calm Before the Storm". The band members wrote some of the songs themselves and played all the instruments except for Fairlight CMI synthesizers, which were programmed by Carl Marsh and David Humphreys.{{Cite AV media notes |title=Big Dreams in a Small Town |others=Restless Heart |year=1988 |type=CD booklet |publisher=RCA Records Nashville |id=8317-2}} DuBois co-wrote "The Bluest Eyes in Texas" with Van Stephenson and Dave Robbins, who would later become members of the country band Blackhawk in the early 1990s. The band members agreed to record the song because they had not previously recorded a song about the state of Texas and thought doing so would be appealing to fans from that state.Roland, p. 528 People gave the album a positive review, noting the band's musicianship and prominent vocal harmony, as well as the "considerable amount of passion" in their music relative to their contemporaries.{{cite web|url=https://people.com/archive/picks-and-pans-review-big-dreams-in-a-small-town-vol-30-no-19/|title=Picks and Pans Review: Big Dreams in a Small Town|date=November 7, 1988|work=People|access-date=July 30, 2018}} Writing for The Miami News, Mario Tarradell praised Stewart's "conviction" on the title track and "gentle delivery" on "The Bluest Eyes in Texas", as well as the variety in tempo and arrangement between individual tracks.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-news-record-review-restless-h/130628495/ | title=Restless Heart's 'Big Dreams' come true | work=The Miami News |first=Mario|last=Tarradell | date=August 25, 1988 | accessdate=May 29, 2023 | pages=3C}} The band supported this album by touring with Alabama and The Judds, both of whom were also on RCA at the time. The album accounted for the band's second Grammy nomination in the category of Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1989, while its title track was nominated in the same category a year later.

Restless Heart's fourth album, Fast Movin' Train, was released in 1990. Its title track (also written by Loggins) and "Dancy's Dream" were top-five hits, while "When Somebody Loves You" and "Long Lost Friend" were less successful. Robert K. Oermann of The Tennessean found this album superior to the ones before it, praising the "direct approach" of the singles' lyrics, while also noting a roots rock influence in the increased use of acoustic instruments over the preceding albums.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-prime-cuts-make-tasty-lis/130744574/ | title=Prime cuts make tasty listening | work=The Tennessean | date=April 15, 1990 | access-date=April 20, 2019 | author-link=Robert K. Oermann|first=Robert K.|last=Oermann | page=Showcase 16}} David J. Remondini, writing for The Indianapolis Star, thought the album's title track had an "attractive melody and gripping lyrics", also considering the album to have "the right balance of tempos" and influences of bluegrass music in tracks such as "Dancy's Dream".{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-restless-heart-con/130744686/ | title=Restless Heart continues crossover from country in its latest album | work=The Indianapolis Star | date=March 11, 1990 | accessdate=May 29, 2023 | first=David J.|last= Remondini | page=E-3}} Tim Darragh of the Allentown, Pennsylvania, Morning Call was less favorable, criticizing the album for "prefab harmonies" and formulaic lyrics.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-call-records/130744713/ | title=Records | work=The Morning Call | date=March 10, 1990 | accessdate=May 29, 2022 | first=Tim |last=Darragh | pages=A68}} Fast Movin' Train became the band's third gold album in 1991, and the title track accounted for the band's fourth Grammy nomination. During this timespan, Stewart sang backing vocals on "They Just Don't Make 'em Like You Anymore", a track from Kenny Rogers' 1991 album Back Home Again.{{Cite AV media notes |title=Back Home Again |others=Kenny Rogers |year=1991 |type=CD booklet |publisher=Reprise Records |id=26740}} A greatest hits package, The Best of Restless Heart, followed in 1991. It included two new recordings, both of which were released as singles: "You Can Depend on Me" was a top-five hit, while "Familiar Pain" was less successful. As DuBois had become president of Arista Nashville by this point, his production duties for the new songs were taken over by Josh Leo.{{cite journal | url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1991/CB-1991-10-12.pdf | title=Reviews: Singles | journal=Cashbox | pages=24 | date=October 12, 1991}} The release of this compilation also led to "Til I Loved You" being re-issued for adult contemporary, peaking at number 33 on the Billboard chart for that format.{{cite book|last=Whitburn|first=Joel|title=Top Adult Songs 1961-2006|publisher=Record Research, Inc.|year=2007|isbn= 978-0-89820-169-7}}

File:Larry_Stewart_DF-SD-06-00751.JPEG was the lead singer of Restless Heart for the majority of the band's career.|alt=Restless Heart lead singer Larry Stewart, singing into a microphone]]

Larry Stewart left the band in December 1991 because he wanted to perform as a solo artist with a more neotraditional country style, as opposed to the band's country pop influence. According to the other band members, his decision to leave was "a surprise at first", although the departure was amicable. Stewart initially remained with RCA as a solo artist. His debut single "Alright Already" reached number five on the country music charts in 1993, and "I'll Cry Tomorrow" was also a top-40 country hit. Both of these were included on his solo debut album Down the Road.{{cite web | url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/larry-stewart-mn0000132555/biography | title=Larry Stewart biography | publisher=AllMusic | accessdate=May 31, 2023 | author=Jason Ankeny}} He recorded two albums for Columbia Records in 1994 and 1996, and while these albums accounted for five more charted singles, none were as successful.Whitburn, p. 323

The remaining four members decided to rotate lead vocal duties amongst themselves instead of hiring a new lead vocalist, as they thought Stewart was the "most conservative" member of the group and that alternating the lead vocal would allow the band to become "more adventurous". In addition, they thought this arrangement was tenable due to their admiration of other bands with more than one lead vocalist, such as the Eagles, Chicago, and the Beatles. They first performed without Stewart at a concert in Grand Forks, North Dakota, in early 1992, followed by a series of dates throughout Canada.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/539541500/ | title=Restless Heart moving to new leads | work=The Daily Sentinel | date=June 21, 1992 | accessdate=May 29, 2023 | author=Ed Sobel | pages=22, 28}} To accommodate for Stewart's departure, the other band members assumed the vocal duties when singing their existing singles in concert. Innis sang "The Bluest Eyes in Texas" and "Fast Movin' Train", Dittrich sang "Dancy's Dream" and "Big Dreams in a Small Town", Jennings sang "A Tender Lie", and Gregg sang everything else. The only song omitted from their set lists was "Why Does It Have to Be (Wrong or Right)", due to it having a more complex vocal arrangement which they felt could not be achieved with only four voices.

File:Warren Hill.jpg's "Tell Me What You Dream" in 1993.|alt=Musician Warren Hill playing a saxophone.]]

The rotation of lead vocal duties continued on Restless Heart's next album, 1992's Big Iron Horses. Leo once again served as producer and alternated with Bruce Gaitsch as rhythm guitarist on several songs, while Bernie Leadon contributed on banjo.{{Cite AV media notes |title=Big Iron Horses |others= Restless Heart |date=1992 |type=CD booklet |publisher=RCA Records Nashville |id=BG2-66049}} According to the band, Leo encouraged them to write more songs by themselves than on previous efforts, as he thought both this and the absence of Stewart would allow the other members to have more fully realized musical personalities than before. In particular, Jennings thought that Dittrich, being a drummer who also sang, was favorably comparable to Eagles vocalist and drummer Don Henley.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/182684868/ | title=Restless Heart still beating after break | work=The Clarion-Ledger | date=July 9, 1992 | accessdate=May 29, 2023 | author=Marc Leffler | pages=14E}} One of the tracks with Dittrich on lead vocals, "When She Cries", was the album's first single. It went to number nine on the country charts, number eleven on the Hot 100 (their highest entry on that chart), and number two on the adult contemporary charts. Additionally it accounted for the band's fifth and final Grammy nomination. After it came "We Got the Love" and "Mending Fences", which both fell short of the country top ten. Dittrich also sang the former, while Gregg sang the latter.

Innis also left the band in January 1993, with the other band members citing "erratic behavior" that resulted in the cancellation of five concerts a month prior as the reason behind his departure. Jennings also noted that Innis wanted to "assume a bigger role" after Stewart's departure and that there were unsubstantiated rumors among the other band members that Innis was subject to drug and alcohol abuse. In response to Innis's departure, they hired Dwain Rowe as touring keyboardist and Chris Hicks as touring guitarist.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/113041263/ | title=Restless Heart keeps pumping: Reduced to three members, group asks fans to 'give it a chance' | work=The Tennessean | date=January 30, 1993 | accessdate=May 29, 2023 | author=Robert K. Oermann| pages=1D, 2D}} Three months later, the band reached the top of the Billboard adult contemporary charts as guest vocalists on Canadian smooth jazz saxophonist Warren Hill's single "Tell Me What You Dream".{{cite magazine|title=Adult Contemporary: May 15, 1993|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/adult-contemporary/1993-05-15|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=October 25, 2019}}

The next album, 1994's Matters of the Heart, included only Gregg, Jennings and Dittrich, along with a number of studio musicians. Among these were keyboardists Bill Cuomo, Carl Marsh, and Hawk Wolinski, as well as upright bass player Roy Huskey Jr. and fiddle player Stuart Duncan.{{cite AV media notes |title=Matters of the Heart |others=Restless Heart |year=1994 |type=CD booklet |publisher=RCA Records |id=66397}} The band intentionally sought to make the album more traditionally country than its predecessors due to increasing competition they had faced following the arrival of several new country bands in the early 1990s.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/276455790/ | title=Acceptance by country radio matters to Restless Heart | work=The Morning Call | date=August 7, 1994 | accessdate=29 May 2023 | author=Alan Sculley | pages=17}} Its only single, "Baby Needs New Shoes", fell short of the top 40. Alanna Nash of Entertainment Weekly rated the album "C", as she thought the tracks "Sweet Whiskey Lies" and "Hometown Boy" were more country-sounding than their previous songs, although she considered the arrangements "by the book".{{cite web | url=https://ew.com/article/1994/06/03/matters-heart/ | title=Matters of the Heart review | publisher=Entertainment Weekly | date=June 3, 1994 | accessdate=May 29, 2023 | author=Alanna Nash}} Restless Heart was one of several country music artists to make a cameo in the 1994 Mel Gibson film Maverick. They sang the title track to the movie's soundtrack, which also featured both them and Stewart on a multi-artist collaborative rendition of the hymn "Amazing Grace" credited to "The Maverick Choir".{{Cite AV media notes |title=Maverick |others=Various artists |year=1994 |type=CD booklet |publisher=Atlantic Records |id=82595}}{{cite web | url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/maverick-mw0000624353 | title=Maverick | publisher=AllMusic | accessdate=May 30, 2023 | author=Thom Owens}}

Due to the commercial failure of Matters of the Heart, Restless Heart was dropped by RCA Nashville at the end of 1994. In response to this, the three remaining band members announced they would go on hiatus in January 1995.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/113156892/ | title=Restless Heart taking a year off | work=The Tennessean | date=January 4, 1995 | accessdate=May 29, 2023 | author=Tom Roland | pages=4D}} Stewart, Jennings, Dittrich, and Gregg reunited for one performance in June 1996 which included acoustic renditions of "Big Dreams in a Small Town", "The Bluest Eyes in Texas", "Fast Movin' Train", and "Amazing Grace". This was not considered a formal reunion, as the band members had done so to honor the wishes of a terminally ill member of their fan club.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/762828339/ | title=Ducas gets another kind of hit | work=Evansville Courier and Press | date=July 11, 1996 | accessdate=May 29, 2023 | pages=B5}} At the time, Stewart was continuing to record as a solo artist, Jennings had joined Vince Gill's road band, and Gregg was managing a chain of car washes owned by his family.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/794247628/ | title=Restless Heart members have brief reunion | work=Record Searchlight | date=July 25, 1996 | accessdate=May 29, 2023 | pages=8}}

In late 1996, Dittrich founded another band called the Buffalo Club with guitarist Charlie Kelley and lead vocalist Ron Hemby, a former member of the Imperials.{{cite magazine | url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1997/Billboard-1997-02-01.pdf | title=Rising Tide Corrals Support For Buffalo Club's Debut | author=Deborah Evans Price | magazine=Billboard | pages=31, 36 | date=February 1, 1997}} The Buffalo Club recorded one album for Rising Tide Records and charted three singles, including the top ten "If She Don't Love You" in early 1997.Whitburn, p. 62 This song had previously been offered to Restless Heart by its co-writer Marc Beeson (who also co-wrote "When She Cries"), but they had declined to record it.{{cite journal | url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1997/RR-1997-01-24.pdf | title=New artist fact file | journal=Radio & Records | pages=55 | date=January 24, 1997}} Dittrich resigned from the Buffalo Club in August 1997,{{cite journal | url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1997/RR-1997-09-12.pdf | title=Dittrich leaves Club | journal=Radio & Records | pages=68 | date=September 12, 1997}} and the other two members separated by year's end. According to a former Rising Tide executive, Dittrich's departure and the Buffalo Club's disbanding were due to Dittrich expressing interest in a Restless Heart reunion tour, which created conflict among him, the other two band members, and label executives.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/113446574/ | title=Ego, fighting were downfall of Buffalo Club | work=The Tennessean | date=December 15, 1997 | accessdate=March 5, 2023 | author=Brad Schmitt | pages=3A}}

Stewart, Jennings, Dittrich, and Gregg reunited to record three new tracks for their second greatest-hits compilation in 1998, Greatest Hits. According to Stewart, this reunion and album were done at the request of RCA executives.{{cite web | url=https://www.cmt.com/news/71wwn2/restless-heart-reunite-for-still-restless | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001053553/https://www.cmt.com/news/71wwn2/restless-heart-reunite-for-still-restless | url-status=dead | archive-date=October 1, 2022 | title=Restless Heart reunite for 'Still Restless' | publisher=CMT | date=November 19, 2004 | accessdate=May 29, 2023 | author=Edward Morris}} In addition to their previous hit singles, the album included the new songs "No End to This Road", "For Lack of Better Words", and "Somebody's Gonna Get That Girl", the former two of which were issued as singles. The band promoted this project the same year by touring with Gill before disbanding a second time. Following this second disbanding, Stewart released a fourth solo album for Windham Hill Records in 1999.{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r401836|pure_url=yes}}|title=Learning to Breathe review|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|work=Allmusic|accessdate=May 30, 2023}}

Other than Stewart, the individual members of Restless Heart remained largely inactive until August 2001, when Stewart, Gregg, Jennings, Dittrich, and Innis all officially reunited and began rehearsing together.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/759101746/ | title=It's 'magic' act for reunited members of Restless Heart | work=Evansville Courier and Press | date=January 17, 2002 | accessdate=May 30, 2023 | author=Rebecca Coudret | pages=C1, C2}} Stewart told CMT journalist Edward Morris that the impetus for their reunion was a telephone call from Hendricks, who was having lunch with Innis at the time. At this point, Stewart and Innis had not talked to each other for a number of years, owing to the disputes that had led to Innis departing the band several years prior. Stewart then chose to call Innis, at which point the two resolved and suggested re-forming Restless Heart. Immediately after their reunion the band resumed touring, with one of their first reunion concerts taking place at the French Lick Resort in French Lick, Indiana, in January 2002. They also released a single titled "Torch of Freedom", which they performed in 2003 at the Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/286843651/ | title=Let the Games begin! | work=The Daily Spectrum | date=June 13, 2003 | accessdate=May 29, 2023 | author=Elizabeth Miller | pages=A1, A8}}

File:Mac mcanally guitar.jpg co-produced and wrote three songs on the band's 2004 reunion album Still Restless.|alt=Musician Mac McAnally playing an electric guitar.]]

After they had all reunited, the five members decided to record a new album. As both Hendricks and DuBois were involved in other projects at the time, the band selected a different set of producers. One of the producers was Kyle Lehning, best known for his work with Randy Travis. Lehning shared duties with Mac McAnally, a singer-songwriter and producer who was also a member of Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band. The recordings with Lehning and McAnally became the band's 2004 album Still Restless, released on the Nashville division of Koch Records (now MNRK Music Group). In addition to co-producing, McAnally sang background vocals and played guitar, piano, mandola, and the Papoose,{{Cite AV media notes |title=Still Restless |others=Restless Heart |type=CD Booklet |publisher=Koch Nashville |id=KOC-CD-9821}} a custom-made guitar created by Tacoma Guitars. He also wrote three of the album's songs including "Down the Road", which was previously a single for him in 1990, and would later be re-released in 2008 as a duet between him and Kenny Chesney.{{cite journal |last=Conaway |first=Alanna |date=April 20, 2009 |title=Story Behind the Song: The Gift of Christmas Past |journal=Country Weekly |volume=16 |issue=10 |pages=28}} Dittrich sang another one of McAnally's compositions, "Looking Back", as well as a cover of the Beatles's "The Night Before", while Gregg sang "Yesterday's News". Lead single "Feel My Way to You" peaked at number 29 on the country music charts and was the album's only single before Koch Records closed its Nashville division in 2005.{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/koch-records-nashville-folds-1404760/ | title=Koch Records Nashville Folds | publisher=October 17, 2005 | magazine=Billboard | accessdate=May 30, 2023}}

The band released a live album, 25 and Live, in 2007 through their website. This was later reissued in early 2009 as part of a 25th anniversary package which also included Still Restless and a compilation of music videos.{{cite web | url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/39813/restless-heart-celebrates-25-years | title=Restless Heart Celebrates 25 Years | publisher=All Access | date=May 6, 2008 | accessdate=May 29, 2023}} Restless Heart continued touring throughout the first decade of the 21st century, including a number of shows for members of the United States Air Force as well as the Blue Suede Dinner and Auction, a charity event held by the Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-jackson-sun-restless/130629775/| title=Restless, relentless | work=The Jackson Sun | date=February 23, 2006 | accessdate=May 29, 2023 | first=Brian|last=Goins| pages=Get Out! 8, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-jackson-sun-relentless/130629796/ 9]}} By 2011, the band was doing over 100 concerts a year.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/185792652/ | title=Restless Heart: Country group with crossover appeal still loves to entertain | work=Clarion-Ledger | date=June 17, 2011 | accessdate=May 29, 2022 | author=Sherry Lucas | pages=9B}} Restless Heart was still primarily a touring band throughout the 2010s and had not released a new album in several years, although they thought their existing hit singles were "strong" enough to be accepted by younger generations of fans as well.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/498793663/ | title=Restless Heart figures out how to get along | work=The Leader-Post | date=April 30, 2015 | accessdate=May 29, 2023 | author=Jeff Dedekker | pages=B1, B2}} In 2015, both they and Becky Hobbs were inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/911195294/ | title=Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame to honor inductees | work=Tulsa World | date=October 14, 2015 | accessdate=May 29, 2022 | author=Jerry Wofford | pages=D1, D2}} One of their few releases in the 2010s was a cover of Glen Campbell's "Wichita Lineman". According to the band members, they had been encouraged by Campbell to record the song after meeting him thirty years ago, but had not previously found the time to do so.{{cite web | url=https://tasteofcountry.com/restless-heart-wichita-lineman-video/ | title=Restless Heart tribute Glen Campbell with 'Wichita Lineman' video | publisher=Taste of Country | date=May 9, 2016 | accessdate=May 31, 2023 | author=Sterling Whitaker}}

In 2018, Stewart began recording with the Frontmen, a group which also includes Richie McDonald of Lonestar and Tim Rushlow of Little Texas. Despite the foundation of this group, Stewart continued to tour with Restless Heart at the time.{{cite web | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/country/the-frontmen-if-it-wasnt-for-the-radio-8094769/ | title=Country Supergroup The Frontmen Premiere New Song 'If It Wasn't for the Radio': Exclusive | publisher=Billboard | date=January 17, 2018 | accessdate=March 26, 2023 | author=Chuck Dauphin}} A year later, Restless Heart joined the Triple Threat Tour, which included Blackhawk and Shenandoah. One of this tour's first stops was at MontanaFair in Billings, Montana.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-country-acts-comple/130629895/ | title=Country acts complete MontanaFair lineup | work=The Billings Gazette | date=April 24, 2019 | accessdate=May 29, 2023 | first=Anna|last= Paige | pages=B1}}

Restless Heart officially retired in 2021, although little announcement was made of this.{{cite web | url=https://www.kpcnews.com/article_1dd95aea-ebcf-5f03-94bf-440d258a4f43.html | title=Frame commemorating career of drummer to hang in Auburn | publisher=KPC News | date=August 16, 2022 | accessdate=May 29, 2023}} Stewart said that factors in their retirement included disagreements over a proposed album to honor the band's 35th anniversary, as well as his own commitments to the Frontmen and the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web | url=https://www.everythingnash.com/restless-heart-larry-stewart-opens-up-possible-band-reunion-exclusive/ | title=Restless Heart's Larry Stewart Opens Up About Possible Band Reunion | publisher=Everything Nash | date=November 4, 2020 | accessdate=May 29, 2023}} Following their retirement, Innis moved to Waco, Texas, and began various music projects there.{{cite web | url=https://www.kwbu.org/podcast/downtown-depot/2022-12-02/downtown-depot-dave-innis | title=Downtown Depot - Dave Innis | publisher=KWBU | date=December 2, 2022 | accessdate=May 29, 2023}} Stewart continued to record with The Frontmen, who signed a recording contract with BBR Music Group in mid-2023.{{cite web | url=https://musicrow.com/2023/03/the-frontmen-ink-with-bmg-bbr-music-group/ | title=The Frontmen Ink With BMG/BBR Music Group | publisher=MusicRow | date=March 14, 2023 | accessdate=March 26, 2023 | author=Lorie Hollabaugh}}

DuBois said that he conceived Restless Heart as "a hot, instrumental band that could really play well on stage—that had great harmony" and that he had given them songs that he felt were "natural" but had been rejected by other artists such as Alabama for being "too pop".{{cite journal|date=April 27, 1985|title=Faces to watch|journal=Cash Box|page=28|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Cash-Box/80s/1985/CB-1985-04-27.pdf}} He noted that during showcases for radio representatives early in the band's career, he was often questioned on the band's ability to "duplicate their records live" due to them having been assembled in a studio setting; however, DuBois felt that live performances were not an issue due to the band having played and sung everything on their debut album without any additional session musicians or studio vocalists.{{cite magazine|date=November 23, 1985|title=Restless Heart not restless for tour|magazine=Billboard|page=45|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jCQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT80}} Although many of the band members had experience writing songs, they allowed songs from DuBois or other writers as well; Jennings said in 1992 that "when it comes to choosing tunes, the best song wins."

Restless Heart's sound draws influences from mainstream country music, as well as from pop and rock. Because of the band's layered harmonies, many critics have drawn comparisons to the Eagles. Sterling Whitaker of Taste of Country describes Stewart as having a "clear, strong tenor". Stewart said that his affinity for vocal harmony was influenced by the music he listened to as a child, which included The Jordanaires and various gospel music groups, and that the band cited a variety of musicians from Buck Owens to Eric Clapton as individual influences. He thought that the band members having varied influences outside of country was a factor in their sound.{{cite web | url=https://www.sturgisjournal.com/story/entertainment/local/2009/04/16/25-years-still-no-end/63759610007/ | title=25 years, and still no end to this road | publisher=Sturgis Journal | date=April 16, 2009 | accessdate=May 29, 2023 | author=Dennis Volkert}} A 1985 article in Billboard wrote that debut single "Let the Heartache Ride" "introduced the band's razor-edged vocal harmonies and scorching instrumentals." Writing for Knight Ridder, James M. Tarbox found the band's vocal harmonies comparable to both the Eagles and to Exile. Colin Larkin in the Virgin Encyclopedia of Country Music wrote that the band was "continuing with the soft rock sounds and harmonies" of the Eagles. He thought the track "Wheels" had a similar sound and concept to the Eagles's 1972 debut single "Take It Easy".{{cite book |last=Larkin |first=Colin |year=1998 |title=The Virgin Encyclopedia of Country Music |publisher=Virgin Books |page=356 |isbn=0-7535-0236-4}} Mario Tarradell of The Miami News noted the band's ability to record both "rockers" and ballads, contrasting the "heavy guitar and keyboard action" on tracks such as "Jenny Come Back" and "The Storm" and the "up-tempo beat" of "Big Dreams in a Small Town", while noting "tender" vocal delivery on tracks such as "A Tender Lie" and "The Bluest Eyes in Texas". Reviewing their debut album, John Wooley of the Tulsa World thought the band's harmonies and rock influences were comparable to both the Eagles and Poco. He furthered the comparison to the Eagles by noting that both bands performed songs with "bittersweet imagery about quicksilver women".

Because of their pop and rock influences, the band members initially had doubts as to their success at a time when neotraditional country acts such as Randy Travis were beginning to gain in popularity. Stewart later said their doubts about success were assuaged when "That Rock Won't Roll" became a number one single. Joe Edwards of the Associated Press noted that the band initially faced resistance due to the lack of traditional country instrumentation such as fiddle and steel guitar, or typical country lyrical content such as heartbreak or consumption of alcohol. In response to this, Stewart said he considered "lyrics that touch people's heart" more important by comparison.{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DPQrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QmoFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1688,4229955&dq=restless-heart+dancy%27s-dream&hl=en | title=Restless Heart bends country 'rules' | work=Kentucky New Era | date=February 15, 1991 | accessdate=May 29, 2023 | first=Joe|last= Edwards|agency=Associated Press | page=6B}} Gregg stated in June 1994 that, due to the crossover success of "When She Cries" and "Tell Me What You Dream" in the early 1990s, some radio station executives in the United States thought the band was attempting to abandon the country format and thus refused to play their later singles.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/113132234/ | title=Matters of the heart: Restless Heart on track with 3-man group | work=The Tennessean | date=June 8, 1994 | accessdate=May 31, 2023 | pages=11}}

The band members have noted their influence on subsequent generations of country musicians such as Brad Paisley and Little Big Town, both of whom have covered Restless Heart songs in concert. A cappella country group Home Free has also cited Restless Heart as a major influence on their vocal harmonies, and the group covered "Why Does It Have to Be (Wrong or Right)" in 2019.{{cite web | url=https://tasteofcountry.com/home-free-why-does-it-have-to-be-wrong-or-right-cover-restless-heart/ | title=Hear Home Free's take on Restless Heart's 'Why Does It Have to Be (Wrong or Right)' | publisher=Taste of Country | date=March 6, 2019 | accessdate=May 31, 2023 | author=Jacklyn Krol}}

{{sronly|A table indicating the members of Restless Heart}}

{{#tag:timeline|

ImageSize = width:750 height:auto barincrement:22

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Alignbars = justify

DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy

Period = from:01/01/1984 till:01/01/2022

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ScaleMajor = increment:4 start:1984

ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1984

Colors =

id:voc value:red legend:Vocals

id:lg value:teal legend:Lead_guitar

id:rg value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_guitar

id:key value:purple legend:Keyboards

id:b value:blue legend:Bass

id:dr value:orange legend:Drums

id:lines value:black legend:Studio_album

id:bars value:gray(0.95)

BackgroundColors = bars:bars

PlotData=

width:11 textcolor:black align:left

bar:Verlon Thompson from:start till:01/07/1984 color:voc

bar:Larry Stewart from:01/07/1984 till:15/12/1991 color:voc

bar:Larry Stewart from:01/01/1998 till:01/01/1999 color:voc

bar:Larry Stewart from:15/08/2001 till:end color:voc

bar:Larry Stewart from:01/07/1984 till:15/12/1991 color:rg width:3

bar:Larry Stewart from:01/01/1998 till:01/01/1999 color:rg width:3

bar:Larry Stewart from:15/08/2001 till:end color:rg width:3

bar:Greg Jennings from:start till:15/01/1995 color:lg

bar:Greg Jennings from:15/01/1993 till:15/01/1995 color:voc width:3

bar:Greg Jennings from:01/01/1998 till:01/01/1999 color:lg

bar:Greg Jennings from:15/08/2001 till:end color:lg

bar:Chris Hicks from:15/01/1993 till:15/01/1995 color:rg

bar:Dave Innis from:start till:15/01/1993 color:key

bar:Dave Innis from:15/12/1991 till:15/01/1993 color:voc width:3

bar:Dave Innis from:15/08/2001 till:end color:key

bar:Dwain Rowe from:15/01/1993 till:15/01/1995 color:key

bar:Paul Gregg from:start till:15/01/1995 color:b

bar:Paul Gregg from:15/12/1991 till:15/01/1995 color:voc width:3

bar:Paul Gregg from:01/01/1998 till:01/01/1999 color:b

bar:Paul Gregg from:15/08/2001 till:end color:b

bar:Paul Gregg from:15/08/2001 till:end color:voc width:3

bar:John Dittrich from:start till:15/01/1995 color:dr

bar:John Dittrich from:15/12/1991 till:15/01/1995 color:voc width:3

bar:John Dittrich from:01/01/1998 till:01/01/1999 color:dr

bar:John Dittrich from:15/08/2001 till:end color:dr

bar:John Dittrich from:15/08/2001 till:end color:voc width:3

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at:25/03/1985 color:lines layer:back

at:31/10/1986

at:15/07/1988

at:04/01/1990

at:09/10/1992

at:24/03/1994

at:09/11/2004

}}

{{main|Restless Heart discography}}

{{Sronly|A list of albums released by Restless Heart}}

;Albums

• Restless Heart (1985)
• Wheels (1986)
• Big Dreams in a Small Town (1988)
• Fast Movin' Train (1990)
• The Best of Restless Heart (1991)
• Big Iron Horses (1992)
• Matters of the Heart (1994)
• Still Restless (2004)

• "That Rock Won't Roll" (1 week, 1986)
• "I'll Still Be Loving You" (1 week, 1986-1987)
• "Why Does It Have to Be (Wrong or Right)" (1 week, 1987)
• "Wheels" (1 week, 1987-1988)
• "The Bluest Eyes in Texas" (1 week, 1988)
• "A Tender Lie" (1 week, 1988)

{{awards table}}

|-

|1988

|"I'll Still Be Loving You"

|rowspan=5| Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal

|{{nom}}

|-

|1989

|Big Dreams in a Small Town

|{{nom}}

|-

|1990

|"Big Dreams in a Small Town"

|{{nom}}

|-

|1991

|"Fast Movin' Train"

|{{nom}}

|-

|1993

|"When She Cries"

|{{nom}}

|}

{{awards table}}

|-

|1988

|Restless Heart

|Favorite Country Band/Duo/Group

|{{nom}}

|}

{{awards table}}

|-

|1987

|rowspan=2| Restless Heart

|rowspan=2| Top Vocal Group of the Year

|{{nom}}

|-

|rowspan=2| 1988

|{{nom}}

|-

|"I'll Still Be Loving You"

|Single Record of the Year

|{{nom}}

|-

|1989

|rowspan=4| Restless Heart

|rowspan=4| Top Vocal Group of the Year

|{{nom}}

|-

|1990

|{{won}}

|-

|1991

|{{nom}}

|-

|1993

|{{nom}}

|}

{{awards table}}

|-

|rowspan=2| 1987

|rowspan=7| Restless Heart

|Horizon Award

|{{nom}}

|-

|rowspan=6| Vocal Group of the Year

|{{nom}}

|-

|1988

|{{nom}}

|-

|1989

|{{nom}}

|-

|1990

|{{nom}}

|-

|1991

|{{nom}}

|-

|1993

|{{nom}}

|}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book|author=Joel Whitburn|title=Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2017|publisher=Record Research, Inc|date=2017|isbn=978-0-89820-229-8}}
• {{cite book | title=The Billboard Book of Number One Country Hits | publisher=Billboard Books | author=Tom Roland | year=1991 | isbn=0-8230-7553-2}}

{{Restless Heart}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:American musical quintets

Category:Country music groups from Tennessee

Category:Country music groups from Oklahoma

Category:Musical groups from Nashville, Tennessee

Category:Musical groups established in 1984

Category:Musical groups reestablished in 2001

Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2021

Category:RCA Records Nashville artists

Category:MNRK Music Group artists

Category:1984 establishments in Tennessee