Atlanta-raised country singer Cody Collins was a fan of Lonestar [ tickets ], playing its material during his shows at a bar called Cowboys, and hoping for that big break.

Then Lonestar keyboardist Dean Sams walked into Cowboys to watch a different singer, whom he was producing. However, Sams befriended Collins and knew where to turn when longtime Lonestar vocalist Richie McDonald left the group to pursue a solo career.

"I always wanted to be a singer," Collins said to LiveDaily during what he said was his first-ever phone interview--. "I always wanted to be in music and be in the music business in Nashville and everything. I always thought I would be a solo artist. I never in my life thought that I would be the singer for Lonestar. So that's pretty cool."

Collins marks the third lead singer for Lonestar, best known for its songs "I'm Already There," "Amazed" and "My Front Porch Looking In." McDonald and John Rich, of Big and Rich fame, previously sung in the group.

Besides losing McDonald, the band walked away from its record label. Now, the act is recording new music under its vanity label, Lonestar Records. The new Collins-fronted Lonestar--which also includes guitarist Michael Britt and drummer Keech Rainwater--recently released its first single "Let Me Love You" It will appear on an as-yet untitled full-length album is due to drop in late August or early September.

"We've got eight new songs and we're really excited about it," he said. "One is called 'Mean As You' and it's pretty funny. It's one of those songs that you dedicate to somebody that you don't really like too much, or somebody who's done something to you. It's one of those songs everyone is going to be able to dedicate to somebody.

"On the album, there's all kinds of things about life in general. It doesn't specify just one thing, you know, like sippy cups and the parenting stuff. It's covering more than that, more that would appeal to a younger crowd as well as an older crowd."

In addition to unveiling Collins, Lonestar is touting a new communications program for its fans. In fan e-mails, Lonestar is giving out contact information for its record company executives, and the band e-mail address, as well.

"With the Internet, MySpace and YouTube, it's pretty much the way the market works," he said. "Everybody downloads their songs and pays for them online today. Pretty much everybody has an iPod. On the website, we have new behind-the-scenes footage of everything we're doing in the studio and before the shows and after the shows. You can just go on there and check it out anytime they want. People can write us. People can call."

If he had that opportunity with bands he loved, whom would he contact?

"I would have just called up Aerosmith. I don't know what I would have said," Collins said. "They probably would have been sick of me."