People are just "Amazed" whenever Bobby McDonald rolls into sight. He's easy to spot - he's at the wheel of a shiny Western Star pulling a trailer of show gear for the hot country group, Lonestar. What makes this rig so noticeable is that it carries a mural of his favorite four boys and the slogan, "Two Stars on Tour," (Lonestar and Western Star) on the side of the trailer.

I interviewed Bobby in Wheeling, W.Va., at the Capital Music Hall where Lonestar performed last year. I quickly found there is another star in the family - Bobby is the father of Richie McDonald, the group's lead singer. Known as "Candy Apple" over the CB, Bobby, of Lovell, Texas, has been driving for Lonestar for a number of months and is now in his 40th year in the trucking industry.

Bobby was set to retire when the group asked him to drive for them. How could he not? Compared to freight runs, he said, .it's about half the miles, and he meets lots more people. He still has deadlines and is pushed to meet concert schedules, so he sometimes needs a co-driver. Having my CDL, I volunteered. He didn't need help then but did give me a ride in his sharp 'Star with its 425-hp Caterpillar engine.

During the interview, Richie and the rest of Lonestar — Dean Sams, Keech Rainwater and Michael Britt — joined us. They arrived on motorized skateboards, reminding me of a scene from the old TV show, The Monkees. They are talented, entertaining and funny guys, who happily posed for photos with every fan who approached. They recently won Song and Group of the Year from the Academy of Country Music for their smash hit, "Amazed."

While the McDonalds posed for us, the others teased Bobby about being in the limelight. But Richie deeply appreciates his dad's sacrifices. In the liner notes for their smash album, Lonesome Grill, he wrote, "Thanks Dad for all the miles spent truckin', chasing the sun and headlight beams." Said Bobby, "It's all part of being .a parent and taking care of my kids."