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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZDIAMOND RIOA sextet, one of the most popular country groups of the '90s. Marty Roe (lead vocals) started in his teens with Windsong, later joined the Tennessee River Boys '84 which evolved into Diamond Rio; Jimmy Olander (lead guitar and banjo) previously played with Rodney Crowell, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Foster and Lloyd; Gene Johnson (mandolin, vocals) had played with David Bromberg and J. D. Crowe on the bluegrass circuit; Dan Truman (keyboards) was classically trained and played in jazz groups; Dana Williams (bass, vocals), nephew of bluegrass legends Bobby and Sonny Osborne, previously played with Vassar Clements and Jimmy C. Newman; Brian Prout (drums), married to Wild Rose drummer Nancy Given-Prout, played in rock bands, then teamed up with Marty Raybon (Shenandoah) in Heartbreak Mountain country/bluegrass group. Diamond Rio originated as an entertainment attraction at Opryland Theme Park, Nashville as the Tennessee River Boys, hit the road '89 and changed the name, signed to Arista '90 and became the first country group to have a debut single top the charts with 'Meet Me In The Middle' '91. Further big hits followed with 'Mirror, Mirror' '91, 'Norma Jean Riley', 'In A Week Or Two', 'Love A Little Stronger' '92--4. CMA Vocal Group of the Year '92--4. Gold albums: Diamond Rio '91, Close To The Edge '92, Love A Little Stronger '94, IV '96. |