# Perfect Stranger (band)

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**Perfect Stranger** are a long-running American [country music](/source/Country_music) band founded in 1986 in the state of [Texas](/source/Texas) by Steve Murray ([lead vocals](/source/Lead_vocals)), Shayne Morrison ([bass guitar](/source/Bass_guitar)), Andy Ginn ([drums](/source/Drum_kit)), and Richard Raines ([guitar](/source/Guitar)). Murray and Morrison re-formed the band in 2025 and resumed touring. On their official Facebook page, Perfect Stranger announced plans for a new studio album in 2026. [1]

After several years of performing throughout Texas, the quartet released an independent album in 1994; this album was later picked up by [Curb Records](/source/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](/source/You_Have_the_Right_to_Remain_Silent_(song))") had become a Top 5 hit on the *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))* Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now [Hot Country Songs](/source/Hot_Country_Songs)) charts.

Although Perfect Stranger never entered Top 40 on the country charts again, the band continued to perform and record throughout the 1990s, charting several more singles before eventually exiting Curb in the late 1990s. In addition, Andy Ginn was replaced by Marty Arbter on drums. Perfect Stranger returned to Curb to release its second album, *The Hits*, in 2001, and was dropped again afterward. In 2009, Morrison formed a new version of the band composed of co-lead singers/guitarists Marcus Eldridge and Clint Williams, bassist Shayne Morrison, lead guitarist Chad Ware, and drummer Doug Martin. They released a third album, *Shake the World*, in 2009. Morrison briefly re-established the band in 2010 with Murray, Raines, and new drummer Scott Zucknick. After performing a number of shows, Perfect Stranger paused activity. During the band's hiatus, Murray performed shows as a solo act under his own name and backed by other bands. Murray and Morrison officially announced the reformation of Perfect Stranger in 2025, which resulted in numerous concerts at venues, theaters and package shows. In 2026, Perfect Stranger announced they are currently recording a new studio album. [2]

## Biography

Perfect Stranger was founded in 1986 in [Carthage, Texas](/source/Carthage,_Texas), by Steve Murray (lead vocals), Shayne Morrison (bass guitar), Richard Raines (lead guitar), and Andy Ginn (drums).[3] They originally performed as Midnight Express before assuming the name Perfect Stranger.[4] 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". Written by [Vince Gill](/source/Vince_Gill) and [Kostas](/source/Kostas_Lazarides),[5] the song was considered the biggest independent country music hit in the United States at the time, although it never reached the *Billboard* charts.[3]

A second single, entitled "[You Have the Right to Remain Silent](/source/You_Have_the_Right_to_Remain_Silent_(song))", followed soon afterward. By the time of its release, Perfect Stranger's success as an independent act had been noticed by [Curb Records](/source/Curb_Records), who acquired the band's debut album and its single. Curb continued promoting "You Have the Right to Remain Silent".[5] *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 No. 4 on the country music charts, and No. 61 on the [*Billboard* Hot 100](/source/Billboard_Hot_100).

They were nominated in 1996 at the [31st Academy of Country Music Awards](/source/31st_Academy_of_Country_Music_Awards) for [Best New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year](/source/Academy_of_Country_Music_Award_for_New_Vocal_Duo_or_Group_of_the_Year), along with [4 Runner](/source/4_Runner) and [Lonestar](/source/Lonestar), losing to the latter group.

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,[4] with Marty Arbter taking over on drums. They eventually left Curb in the late 1990s, but rejoined the label in the early 2000s.[6]

The band's second album, *The Hits*, was issued in 2001, also on Curb.[4] This album included a re-recording of "You Have the Right to Remain Silent",[6] as well as "Fire When Ready" and "A Little Bit More of Your Love", which had charted in 1997. The album also produced two more non-charting singles in its title track (co-written by former [MCA Records](/source/MCA_Records) artist [Marty Brown](/source/Marty_Brown_(singer))) and "Miracle". After these two, the band exited Curb again.

All of the original members except Morrison eventually left. They were replaced by co-lead vocalists Clint Williams and Marcus Eldridge,[7] Chad Ware (guitar), and Doug Martin (drums). A third album, *Shake the World*, was released on June 2, 2009, via Smith Music Group.[8]

Original members Morrison, Raines and Murray briefly re-established in 2010 with new drummer Scott Zucknick.[9]

Richard Raines died on June 1, 2013, at his home in [Mineola, Texas](/source/Mineola,_Texas), following a long battle with depression. He was 48.[10]

## Discography

**Albums**

Title Album details Peak chart positions US Country US CAN Country It's Up to You Release date: December 1994 Label: Pacific — — — You Have the Right to Remain Silent (re-issue of It's Up to You) Release date: June 13, 1995 Label: Curb Records 7 68 13 The Hits Release date: June 26, 2001 Label: Curb Records — — — Shake the World Release date: June 9, 2009 Label: Smith Music Group — — — "—" denotes releases that did not chart

**Singles**

Year Single Peak chart positions Album US Country US CAN Country 1994 "Ridin' the Rodeo" — — — It's Up to You 1995 "You Have the Right to Remain Silent" 4 61 8 You Have the Right to Remain Silent "I Am a Stranger Here Myself" 52 — 41 1996 "Remember the Ride" 56 — 65 "Cut Me Off" — — — 1997 "Fire When Ready" 62 — — The Hits 1999 "A Little Bit More of Your Love" 66 — — 2000 "Coming Up Short Again" 75 — — 2001 "The Hits" — — — The Hits "Miracle" — — — 2009 "Turn Around Point" — — — Shake the World "—" denotes releases that did not chart

**Music videos**

Year Video Director 1994 "Ridin' the Rodeo" Chuck Price 1995 "You Have the Right to Remain Silent" "I Am a Stranger Here Myself" 2001 "Miracle"

## Awards and nominations

Year Organization Award Nominee/Work Result 1996 Academy of Country Music Awards Top New Vocal Group or Duet Perfect Stranger

## References

1. ["Perfect Stranger -90's Country Band"](https://www.perfectstrangercountry.com/). *Perfect Stranger*. Retrieved 15 April 2026.

1. ["Perfect Stranger -90's Country Band"](https://www.perfectstrangercountry.com/). *Perfect Stranger*. Retrieved 15 April 2026.

1. Loftus, Johnny. "Perfect Stranger biography". *[Allmusic](/source/Allmusic)*. Retrieved 2008-01-07.

1. ["Perfect Stranger biography"](http://www.oldies.com/artist-biography/Perfect-Stranger.html). *Oldies.com*. Retrieved 2008-01-07.

1. ["Perfect Stranger"](http://www.gatalent.com/Acts/Perfect_Stranger/perfect_stranger.html). *GA Talent*. Retrieved 2008-01-07.

1. Freeman, Anne (2002-08-05). ["Texas Country Act "Perfect Stranger" Gives Nashville Second Try"](https://web.archive.org/web/20021112173709/http://musicdish.com/mag/index.php3?id=6439). *Music Dish*. Archived from [the original](http://www.musicdish.com/mag/index.php3?id=6439) on November 12, 2002. Retrieved 2009-05-05.

1. ["News"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080819183440/http://www.marcuseldridge.com/news.html). *Marcus Eldridge official website*. Archived from [the original](http://www.marcuseldridge.com/news.html) on August 19, 2008. Retrieved 2009-05-05.

1. Sudhalter, Michael (2009-08-28). ["*Shake the World* review"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090901185920/http://www.roughstock.com/reviews/perfect-stranger-shake-the-world). *Roughstock*. Archived from [the original](http://www.roughstock.com/reviews/perfect-stranger-shake-the-world) on 1 September 2009. Retrieved 30 August 2009.

1. ["Perfect Stranger members"](http://www.perfectstrangercountry.com/about#!__about/members). *Perfect Stranger*. Retrieved 25 April 2011.

1. [\[1\]](https://web.archive.org/web/20130609081239/http://www.news-journal.com/panola/news/richard-raines-of-perfect-stranger-fame-dead-at/article_c10eec8b-0ab1-54a3-9795-b51f9e5d235d.html)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Perfect Stranger (band)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfect_Stranger_(band)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfect_Stranger_(band)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.