The origins of Perfect Stranger trace back to 1986 in Carthage, Texas. Bassist Shayne Morrison and guitarist Richard Raines anchored the group, which also featured vocalist Steve Murray and drummer Andy Ginn. In its early period the quartet worked to cultivate an audience through relentless shows at dive bars, honky tonks, and rodeos scattered across the state. Momentum built sufficiently by 1992 for the band to book sessions in a Nashville studio. Their first album, You Have the Right to Remain Silent, reached stores in December 1994. The Vince Gill-penned single “Ridin’ the Rodeo” soon climbed to the top of the independent country chart. The album’s title track served as the follow-up single, entering rotation in spring 1995 and securing steady airplay on both radio and CMT. That exposure drew interest from major labels, and Curb quickly extended an offer. The imprint inked a deal within a week and assumed distribution of Right from the independent Pacific. Curb then reissued the album with bonus tracks, extending its run on the country charts by another 26 weeks. Marty Arbter replaced original drummer Ginn in 1998, and the band kept touring while preparing its next project. The Hits surfaced in summer 2001 and contained a new recording of the group’s signature song, “You Have the Right to Remain Silent.” In 2002 the members again focused on new material while returning to the honky tonks and rodeos that had first built their following.
