In 1986, Boone signed with Mercury as a solo artist, but his initial singles didn't make much noise. Nevertheless, the label issued his full-length debut in 1988, hoping to chip some success off of the formula popularized by country hunks like Garth Brooks and Clint Black. Neither Boone nor his album found that level of fame, but the single Don't Give Candy to a Stranger did find the Top Ten in 1988. Meanwhile, Boone's songwriting career continued to flourish. That same year, Kathy Mattea took his Burnin' Old Memories to number one, and Old Coyote Town was a Top Ten hit for Don Williams. Boone recorded two more lukewarm LPs for Mercury before jumping to Columbia, where his 1993 album, Get in Line, was a minor chart hit. He continued to work as a songwriter, and in 1998, Lonestar hit number one with the Boone composition Everything's Changed. ~ Johnny Loftus, Rovi