Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, January 22, 1993 TAG: 9301220146
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MARK MORRISON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
MUSIC LESSON
Dana Williams and the boys in Diamond Rio were looking forward to tonight's concert at the Roanoke Civic Center with Alabama."They are the daddies of groups" in country music, said Williams, Diamond Rio's bassist and harmony vocalist.
In a telephone interview last week from Nashville, he said that the 40 or 50 concerts his group will open for Alabama beginning tonight will be a learning lesson.
"This is pure experience you're looking at."
Alabama was the dominant country group through most of the 1980s, building a sort of musical empire that endures today.
Williams said that Diamond Rio could do worse as a model for its own success as the band tries to move from just another group with a few hits to something more substantial.
"You listen and try to learn what you can," he said.
Beyond that, Williams said there was another reason he and his band mates were anxious to share the bill with Alabama. Also opening will be Michelle Wright.
None of them had seen the veteran band in a big concert setting before. As fans themselves, they want to see the show, Williams said.
But don't expect Diamond Rio to pick up too much from Alabama musically. Williams said it is the business side of things Diamond Rio has the most interest in.
Stylistically, Diamond Rio already has carved out its own identity. Williams acknowledged that about the only component to the Alabama sound that his group has borrowed is the big beat drumming.
Alabama drummer Mark Herndon was one of the first to bring rock drumming to country music, something that now is the standard a dozen years later.
"I think both of us are the aggressive side of country," Williams said.
Other than the rock beat, however, Diamond Rio has forged a different sound for itself - at least in country - by blending the rock beat with electric guitar, mandolin and piano, over bluegrass-style harmonies.
"We're doing a little something that no one else has done," Williams said.
So far, it has been a formula that has worked, too. Since its debut in 1991, Diamond Rio has scored a succession of hits, including "Meet in the Middle," "Mirror, Mirror," "Mama Don't Forget to Pray for Me" and "Norma Jean Riley."
The band was named Vocal Group of the Year last year by the Country Music Association. (Alabama, who has won the award twice before, was not nominated.)
The group includes Williams on bass and harmony vocals, lead singer Marty Roe, guitarist Jimmy Olander, Gene Johnson on mandolin and harmony vocals, Dan Truman on piano and drummer Brian Prout.
Still, despite the success, Williams said the band has a long way to go before it can claim to be in the same category with Alabama.
Diamond Rio has released only two albums in its quick rise in Nashville. A third album isn't planned before 1994. Headlining its own arena tour also appears a ways off.
Yet, there is no denying that Diamond Rio is gaining on Alabama, as are many of country's new groups. That's not to take anything away from Alabama, Williams said. He credits the popularity of country music more.
"I think they had been at a level for several years by themselves. Now there are others up there with them to share it with them."
Meanwhile, Williams reported that Roanoke will mark a return to live performing for Diamond Rio after a long and needed break over the holidays. The band was on the road more than 200 days last year.
"It worked us hard," he said.
But the group has been off for six weeks. Williams, 31, spent his time with his wife at home in Nashville, clearing his head. "I clear mine the best right there in my recliner."
Others in the band went skiing or bicycling. Gene Johnson went to Florida. Jimmy Olander went to Mexico. "Everybody cuts out and goes their own way.
On stage, he said a layoff usually helps the band. He said it is always better to see a group at the beginning of a tour, rather than near the end.
"There will be a brand new freshness, I guarantee you that." He laughed. "You never know what's going to happen those first few nights."
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