4 Runner

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4 Runner was an American country music vocal group founded in the late 1980s by lead singer Craig Morris, baritone Billy Crittenden, tenor Lee Hilliard, and bass Jim Chapman. Signed originally to Polydor Records Nashville in 1995, they made their national debut that year with the hit single "Cain's Blood", which peaked at #26 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) charts. It was the first single from their self-titled debut album, which drew critical acclaim for the prominent use of vocal harmonies.^[1]

In 1996, 4 Runner recorded a second album for A&M Records; however, the label closed soon afterward, and the group disbanded. Three of the original members returned in 2003 (with Michael Lusk replacing Billy Simon), and a third album was recorded. Since then, 4 Runner has disbanded a second time.

[edit] Biography

4 Runner began in the late 1980s, when lead singer Craig Morris (who had previously worked with Ronnie McDowell and Marie Osmond) met Billy Crittenden in Nashville, Tennessee while both singers were working as songwriters.^[2] Later, Jim Chapman and Lee Hilliard (the latter of whom had previously worked with Loretta Lynn) joined as well, forming the group.

The group then toured throughout the 1990s with Kenny Rogers; Crittenden also co-wrote Diamond Rio's 1994 single "Love a Little Stronger".^[3] In 1995, 4 Runner landed a record deal with Polydor Records after two weeks after completing their CD. The same year, their debut album was released, with the single "Cain's Blood" (which was co-written by country-pop artist Michael Johnson) serving as lead-off single.^[2] The single reached a peak of #26 on the Billboard country music charts; while the album's other two singles failed to make Top 40 on the country charts, the album sold more than 200,000 copies in the United States.^[4]

Due to a restructuring of Polydor, 4 Runner was transferred to A&M Records for their second album, One for the Ages. Although its lead off single ("That Was Him (This Is Now)") entered the country charts, the album itself was not released due to A&M's closure in 1996.^[1][5] 4 Runner soon disbanded, and shortly afterward, Jim Chapman found work as an art teacher.^[6]

[edit] Reunion

In 2002, three of the original members re-united, with Michael Lusk taking Crittenden's place.^[3] A second album, Getaway Car, was released in 2003, with one of its singles entering the charts; in addition, the album's title track would become a Top 40 hit when country trio The Jenkins cut it for their debut album. Shortly after Getaway Car was recorded, Craig Morris departed the group as well, with Chapman stating that the group was "in transition";^[6] 4 Runner has not recorded any material since. Morris has written songs for country music artist Craig Morgan; 4 Runner also provided background vocals on Morgan's 2002 single "God, Family and Country" (which they also recorded on Getaway Car).^[7]

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

[edit] Singles

[edit] References