Heartland

Heartland, an American country music band from Huntsville, Alabama, was founded in 1994 by brothers Craig Anderson and Todd Anderson along with Mike Myerson. The original lineup included Jason Albert on lead vocals, Chuck Crawford on fiddle and background vocals, Keith West on bass guitar and background vocals, and Craig Anderson on rhythm guitar. Heartland's breakthrough came in 2006 when they signed with Lofton Creek Records and released their debut single "I Loved Her First", which topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. Their debut album I Loved Her First was released later that year, receiving positive reviews for its instrumentation and catchy hooks. Following the release of several singles that did not chart within the Top 40, all members except Albert and Crawford left the band in 2012. Chad Austin joined as a new member, and they released "The Sound a Dream Makes" via R&J Records. In 2019, Heartland released their second album I Loved Her First: The Heart of Heartland featuring guest appearances by Tracy Lawrence and Samantha Crawford. In 2023, the Anderson brothers and Mike Myerson re-established Heartland with new members Dustin Myerson and lead vocalist Lance Horton, announcing a new album slated for release later that year via Yellowhammer Records.