Diamond Rio

Diamond Rio include Marty Roe (vocals), Jimmy Olander (guitar), Gene Johnson (mandolin), Dan Truman (piano); Dana Williams (bass) and Brian Prout (drums).

The group's rich vocal harmonies and glossy picking helped define the "young country" movement of the early 1990s. Diamond Rio began its climb to stardom as the Tennessee River Boys, playing at the Opryland USA theme park in Nashville in the early 1980s. After numerous personnel changes, it solidified into its present membership in 1989 and took the name Diamond Rio.

Diamond Rio has long been one of country music's most successful groups. They were one of the few groups in country music to serve as the exclusive vocalists and instrumentalists on their studio albums while most other groups in country music utilized professional studio musicians and even singers to fill out their records.

Their sound was a mix of multiple influences, but Diamond Rio's music was not mistaken as anything other than country, which was particularly a result of the six vital member's distinct and tight harmonies and organic productions that all gelled together to form a tight vocal group in every sense.

The band released its platinum-selling debut disc in 1991. The following year, Diamond Rio won the Country Music Association's Vocal Group of the Year award for the first time. They've scored nine No. 1 hits and placed 15 singles in the Top Five. Six-time Vocal Group of the year collectively from the Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music, Diamond Rio was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1998. The band has sold more than 10 million records and received the Minnie Pearl Humanitarian Award in recognition of their many charitable endeavors, including their longtime relationship as National Spokespersons for Big Brothers Big Sisters.

But it's not the industry accolades that spring to mind when fans think of Diamond Rio. It is the songs that have touched so many lives. Though they are a successful country band, the group has always been known for songs that convey hope and celebrate faith such as the No. 1 hit "I Believe," "Mama Don't Forget to Pray for Me" and the poignant "God Only Cries."

Listen to Christian Music Artist Diamond Rio