Perfect Stranger (band)

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Perfect Stranger
Origin Carthage, Texas, USA
Genre(s) Country
Years active 1986-present
Label(s) Pacific, Curb
Associated acts Vince Gill
Kostas
Morrison-Williams
Members
Marty Arbter
Shanye Morrison
Steve Murray
Richard Raynes
Former members
Andy Ginn

Perfect Stranger is an American country music band founded in 1986 in the state of Texas by Steve Murray (lead vocals), Andy Ginn (drums), Shayne Morrison (bass guitar) and Richard Raynes (guitar). After several years of performing throughout Texas, the quartet released an independent album in 1994; this album was later picked up by Curb Records, who re-packaged and re-released it a year later. By 1995, its second single (entitled "You Have the Right to Remain Silent") had become a Top 5 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) charts. Although Perfect Stranger never entered Top 40 on the country charts again, they continued to perform and record throughout the 1990s. By the release of their second album (entitled The Hits) in 2001, Ginn had been replaced by Marty Arbter on drums.

Contents

[edit] Biography

Perfect Stranger was founded in 1986 in Carthage, Texas by Steve Murray (lead vocals), Shayne Morrison (bass guitar), Richard Raynes (lead guitar), and Andy Ginn (drums).[1] They originally performed as Midnight Express before assuming the name Perfect Stranger.[2] 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"; penned by Vince Gill and veteran songwriter Kostas,[3] the song was considered the biggest independent country music hit in the United States at the time, although it never reached the Billboard charts.[1]

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", marking the only time in country music history where a major label has signed a former independent act while continuing promotion of the act's single.[3] 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 #4 on the country music charts, and #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,[2] with Marty Arbter taking over on drums. The band's second album, The Hits, was issued in 2001, also on Curb.[2]

Shayne Morrison currently comprises one-half of a country music duo named Morrison-Williams, although he still performs as part of Perfect Stranger as well.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

Year Title US Country US 200
1994 It's Up to YouA
1995 You Have the Right to Remain Silent 7 68
2001 The Hits
  • AIt's Up to You was reissued in 1995 as You Have the Right to Remain Silent.

[edit] Singles

Year Title US Country US Hot 100 Album
1994 "Ridin' the Rodeo" It's Up to You / You Have the Right to Remain Silent
1995 "You Have the Right to Remain Silent" 4 61 You Have the Right to Remain Silent
"I Am a Stranger Here Myself" 52
1996 "Remember the Ride" 56
1997 "Fire When Ready" 62 The Hits
"The Hits"
1999 "A Little Bit More of Your Love" 66
2000 "Coming Up Short Again" 75

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Loftus, Johnny. Perfect Stranger biography. All Music Guide. Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  2. ^ a b c Perfect Stranger biography. Oldies.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  3. ^ a b Perfect Stranger. GA Talent. Retrieved on 2008-01-07.