Review: Diamond Rio Brings 30 Years of Hits and More to Jasper, Indiana
A sold-out crowd awaited Diamond Rio on Friday, October 20, 2023, at the Jasper Arts Center in Jasper, Indiana.
The evening was kicked off by country music duo SmithField, their harmonies and sharp songwriting skills drawing the audience in. Their single “Hey Whiskey” was a gigantic hit on satellite radio a few years back and one of the many highlights of their set. From playful covers to songs like “If It Ain’t You” and “We’ll Figure It Out,” it’s no wonder the duo has been asked to grace the stage of the Grand Ole Opry over forty times.
In Nashville, there’s a saying, “It all begins with a song.”
Sometimes you get lucky, and a song resonates with people and becomes a hit. Then, sometimes you rack up over 30 years of hits.
Diamond Rio’s setlist was comprised of nearly two dozen songs. And not just any songs.
There was the song that became the first debut single by a band to top the charts, songs that would be nominated for Grammys, and songs that propelled the group’s album sales to gold and platinum status.
More importantly, these songs made a lasting imprint on the listeners.
Songs with lyrics and delivery that defied genres and became popular in not only the country world, but in Christian, Pop, and Adult Contemporary formats, a song that a nation found comfort in after the passing of a North Carolina race car hero, and again after the 9-11 tragedies, and judging by the crowd’s reaction as they sang word-for-word, songs that have served as a soundtrack to their lives.
When the group took the stage, immediately launching into the catchy “Unbelievable,” they set the tone for the remainder of the show. It was lively, it was fast paced. It was a country music lover’s dream.
With a career like Diamond Rio’s where the hits are plentiful, it would be challenging to create a setlist. By adding in medleys, songs like “Night Is Fallin’ In My Heart,” “Holdin’,” and “Wrinkles” were all spotlighted, re-igniting fans’ musical memories.
I’m confident that the phrase “with their distinctive sound” has undoubtedly been used in every Diamond Rio bio, press release, and review. And not to sound like a broke record, but it’s true.
How many country bands can you recognize a guitar riff or drum cadence from almost instantly?
For rock and roll fans, they could rattle off the names of those musicians. Diamond Rio even put their own energetic bluegrass spin on some of their favorites from Eric Clapton, Aerosmith, and Kansas during their set.
But unlike rock and roll, the country music industry didn’t favor having entire bands involved with the recording process. It was typical for a lead singer to go into the studio and have hired musicians record tracks for the album. And because Diamond Rio insisted that all members be involved, they created a distinguishable sound that country fans could identify in a singular note.
From Dan Truman’s hauntingly beautiful piano intro on “You’re Gone,” to Jimmy Olander’s signature guitar bending on hits like “Mirror, Mirror” and “Norma Jean Riley,” you just know a Diamond Rio song when you hear one.
With the retirements of longtime bandmates Gene Johnson (Mandolin, Fiddle) and Brian Prout (Drums), Diamond Rio officially added two new members last year: Carson McKee and Micah Schweinsberg.
If there was a musical test to live up to those lofty expectations set by their predecessors, both Carson and Micah easily passed.
It was a “did she just really hit that note?!?” reaction from me when Carson McKee flawlessly nailed the soaring harmonies towards the end of “Love A Little Stronger.” A pitch-perfect moment. She slayed on the fiddle and mandolin, too.
For me, “Nowhere Bound” has always been the pinnacle of country songs when it comes to my favorite drumming patterns. Hearing it live was a highlight and drummer Micah Schweinsberg demonstrated all the signs of a very accomplished musician. He recently directed the band’s new music video, too!
The harmonies, the hits, the storytelling from both lead singer Marty Roe and bass player Dana Williams, made for a perfect country show. Audiences gravitated towards “In God We Still Trust,” which ended with a lengthy standing ovation. They were captivated by the intimate “I Believe,” – one of Marty Roe’s finest vocal performances. The band capped the night by proving that “Meet in the Middle” – the first debut country song to reach number one by a band - is loved in any decade. “That’s How Your Love Makes Me Feel” and “Bubba Hyde” rounded out the night that showcased one of the greatest country bands of all time.
Diamond Rio’s latest single, “The Kick” is available now on all streaming platforms. For a list of upcoming shows, check out their website.