Lonestar has settled on a new lead singer, Cody Collins, who was apparently one of keyboard player Dean Sams' first choices after finding out that former lead singer Richie McDonald had quit.

Dean told Country Weekl that Lonestar was looking for a new sound and they didn't bring Collins in just to fill Richie's shoes.

The band is about to tour behind their new Christmas album, which will be available at Cracker Barrel locations and on the restaurant's website. I guess this is a quick and easy way to introduce Cody to the public and make a couple bucks around Christmas.

Finally, Dean wants to make sure everyone knows that the band is totally happy with Cody and they don't miss Richie.

"Putting this Christmas album together was truly one of the best experiences I have had doing a record in our 11 years recording together. We locked ourselves in my studio for a week and came up with 11 unique, moving arrangements ..." Dean said.

I can imagine how fun that was. Recording Christmas music while you're sweating out middle-of-summer heat in Nashville, Tennessee. Ho ho ho. Seriously.