With a string of number one hits to look back on, Larry Stewart of Restless Heart could consider a more leisurely life as a country legend. But the band continues to record new songs and hit the road.
To Stewart, the motivation for touring is obvious.
“One word: mortgage,” he said before letting out a hearty laugh.
Restless Heart appears at Coyote Valley Casino in Redwood Valley on Friday night. And despite Stewart’s light-hearted take on an extended career, the band enjoys live performances now more than in the wake of their 1986 smash album “Wheels.”
“We’re not pulled in different directions now,” he said, explaining the demands of record labels and promoters. “I wouldn’t trade it, but the pressure isn’t there now. We just love to play and sing together.”
The pressure began with the release of Wheels, their second album. The LP went gold and the four singles released from it each reached No. 1 on the country charts, starting with “That Rock Won’t Roll.”
Restless Heart’s follow up album, “Big Dreams in a Small Town,” produced two more No. 1 hits, making for a run of six singles topping the country charts — much to the surprise of lead singer Stewart and bandmates Greg Jennings (guitar), Dave Innis (keyboard), Paul Gregg (bass and John Dittrich (drums).
“We were just doing what we do, then lo and behold we had six singles in a row,” Stewart recalled. “We didn’t expect that.”
Not only did Restless Heart dominated the airwaves with 15 country top 10s between 1985 and 1992, “I’ll Still Be Loving You” from Wheels appeared in pop music’s top 40 list and reached the adult contemporary top 5. Although their 1993 single “Tell Me What You Dream” did not crack the county charts, it spiked at No. 1 on the AC list.
But this was the 1980s. While Kenny Rogers reached a broad audience, the heart of country included George Jones, Dolly Parton, Barbara Mandrell and Randy Travis. Lee Greenwood earned a top spot on the charts with the patriotic anthem “God Bless the USA” and George Strait gained fame with “All My Exes Live in Texas.” Some in the country music hierarchy scorned the band’s crossover success.
“That was a very traditional time in country, so here came this contemporary band — with mullets,” Stewart said, again bursting into laughter. “They came around sooner or later.”
Country music fans were there from the start. Four of Restless Heart’s albums collected gold. Meanwhile “Why Does It Have to be (Wrong or Right),” “Wheels,” “The Bluest Eyes in Texas” and “A Tender Lie” followed in the chart topping pantheon.
“It was quite a ride,” Stewart said.
Although he left briefly in the ‘90s and the group disbanded for a time, they reformed in 2002 and have been playing their blend of country, pop and contemporary ever since. After almost 30 years on the road and in the studio, Stewart and Restless Heart apparently still enjoy the ride.
“I’m too deep into it now,” he said. “I’m having too much fun.”
Restless Heart takes the stage at Coyote Valley Casino on Friday, April 3, at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $35.
