''Life As We Know It'' is the follow-up to 2010's ''Party Heard Around the World,'' which was recorded with singer Cody Collins, who stepped in after McDonald left to pursue a solo career in 2007. Parting ways with an original member even temporarily could've spelled the end for many bands, but not Lonestar. ''We've been very fortunate that a lot of our fans have stuck with us through the good and the bad,'' says Sams.