NASHVILLE — BlackHawk have been seen by many as the most successful trio in country history. Now, with founding drummer Van Stephenson permanently sidelined because of illness, the band is forging ahead with a greatest-hits package and a new drummer.

Stephenson's battle with malignant melanoma, which at times has left bandmates Henry Paul (guitar/lead vocals) and Dave Robbins (keyboards/vocals) fearing for his life, led Stephenson to quit the band — at least from a performing and recording standpoint — to devote more time to his family.

"Yesterday was the first video I ever made in BlackHawk without Van Stephenson," Paul said. "And I thought throughout the entire process, and occasionally through the day reflected on it. It's sad, it's really sad, because Van loved the attention. Probably more than any of us, Van needed it. He, probably more so than me and more so than Dave, was an artist in ways that we are not. ... [Van was] so painfully dealt the cards that life can deal. To stand up there without Van on stage hurts me in a lot of ways."

Stephenson seems to be responding to treatment and is continuing to write powerful songs, such as the gospel-flavored "Ships of Heaven" included on the Greatest Hits album, due May 16.

"Ships" is one of three new songs on the 15-track package. One of the others is the current single "I Need You All The Time," now at #40 on the charts after 10 weeks.

"I have reevaluated my priorities and feel that it is more important for me to spend time at home with my family rather than spend the majority of my time traveling," Stephenson said of his retirement from the group.

Paul and Robbins dedicated the new album to Stephenson, saying, "The last eight years have been filled with good times, great music and memories that will last a lifetime. For all this and more, we thank you and wish you good health and the very best life has to offer."

Bobby Huff is the new drummer, and he brings the added bonus of being a top-notch producer who Paul said has likely recorded his voice better than anyone ever has.

That's saying something, because Paul's vocals have helped Southern-rock bands from the Outlaws and the Henry Paul Band in the 1970s and 1980s to BlackHawk in the 1990s create a distinctive sound.

Robbins and Stephenson were hit songwriters — they wrote Restless Heart's 1988 chart-topper "Bluest Eyes in Texas" with future Arista Nashville President Tim DuBois — before DuBois suggested they team up with Paul to form a trio DuBois saw as "the country Crosby, Stills & Nash."

DuBois signed them to Arista in 1994, and, while the band had huge early successes with songs such as "There You Have It" (RealAudio excerpt), "Goodbye Says It All" and "Every Once in a While," it has struggled in recent years.