Restless Heart still beating after 30 years

Stewart left the band in 1990 to pursue a solo career, before the release of the 1992 crossover smash “When She Cries,” and Innis departed two years later. In 1994, the remaining members disbanded. With the exception of Innis, the group got back together in 1998 to record a few new tracks for a greatest hits compilation and embark on a yearlong tour with Oklahoma native Vince Gill. Restless Heart restarted for good around 2000.

“All five of us kind of came together and really realized how lucky we'd been and really got some guys that have some hard feelings towards each and we all did a group hug. Everybody buried some hatchets ... and we decided, hey, let's go do a couple of shows and see if anybody cares. Well, here we are 12 years later or so still hitting the road, still doing shows, in the studio working on two or three different projects,” Stewart said.

In 2007, the quintet released the live album “25 and Live,” to sell at shows and online. Along with updating the live record for the band's 30th anniversary, the group is working on an acoustic set of its smash singles and fan favorites, a covers collection featuring Peter Noone and Jim Messina and an album of new material. In concert, Stewart and his cohorts play old hits, new music and a tribute medley honoring the artists who helped them break out three decades ago.

“We're taking it seriously. We're serious about what we're doing ... and we're not just sitting on our past laurels,” he said. “We're very honored to think that we could still get onstage together and sing and play and people would want to come out and hear us play these songs. We're blessed. We feel very fortunate.”