Biography of Diamond Rio

A group that began playing bluegrass at Opryland USA as the Tennessee River Boys, Diamond Rio became one of the most sudden success stories of modern country music. Diamond Rio's initial release, "Meet in the Middle," topped the charts (the first debut single by a group to do so) in 1991; the band followed with more hits and an Academy of Country Music Group of the Year award. The band's bluegrass pedigree (bassist Dana Williams is a nephew of The Osborne Brothers; other members have played for Vassar Clements and J. D. Crowe) helped establish the image of a new country band with traditional ties. The picking's hot, thanks to guitarist Jimmy Olander, and the group's tight harmonies complement Marty Roe's smooth tenor lead. ~ Brian Mansfield