Diamond Rio was signed to Arista Records in 1988. Due to a series of health issues affecting three of its members, however, the band did not make its debut until 1991, with the release of the single "Meet in the Middle". It reached Number One on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) charts, making Diamond Rio the first country music group in history to reach Number One with a debut single.
Throughout the decade, the hits continued: "Norma Jean Riley," "In a Week or Two," "Love a Little Stronger," "Walkin' Away" and "How Your Love Makes Me Feel." Their chart successes earned four CMA awards for vocal group.
In 1998, Diamond Rio were inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, the first band in 14 years to receive that honor. Their album from that same year emerged as a creative high, with the hits "You're Gone" and "Unbelievable." The 2001 hit ballad "One More Day" revitalized the group's career, after becoming a song of healing after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
With their first seven albums certified gold or platinum, the band scored a No. 1 hit with "Beautiful Mess" in 2002, followed by the No. 1 hit "I Believe" in 2003. However they struggled with subsequent singles and parted ways with their longtime label in 2006 shortly after releasing Greatest Hits, Vol. 2.
Through it all, these six men have never had a major disagreement. Despite the fact that they come from widely different geographic regions, musical backgrounds, religious denominations and lifestyles, the members of Diamond Rio are a united front.
“One thing is, we share a work ethic, that's for sure,” says Dan. “I can't believe how motivated Jimmy is in all aspects of his life. Marty was just born with this drive. Brian's just got the energy of life in him. You put that all together and that's why we've been so fortunate to continue to grow as artists.”
