THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, March 13, 1996 TAG: 9603130031
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
``IT'S AN HONOR to be nominated always better to win,'' said Marty Roe, lead singer of Diamond Rio.
He knows whereof he speaks.
The Academy of Country Music voted Diamond Rio the Top Vocal Group in 1991 and 1992; The Country Music Association named them Vocal Group of the Year in 1992, 1993 and 1994; Radio & Records Reader's Poll named them Group of the Year in 1992, 1993 and 1995.
The wheels continue turning; there is an Academy of Country Music nomination for 1996 as Top Vocal Group.
Country music is more competitive today than ever. As far as groups are concerned, a few hang in there, but more than a few fade from the scene.
``With the numbers of artists vying for attention,'' Roe said, during a phone interview from Nashville, ``I wouldn't want to be a new artist trying to break in.''
Diamond Rio got together only five years
ago, ``yet we're already the old guys. That's hard for us to believe,'' Roe said. ``We've become more of an established part of country music these days.''
File into The Showcase in Portsmouth Thursday and you can hear, and see, what all the fuss 'n' feathers are about.
``We have a high-energy show,'' said Roe, who was named after Marty Robbins. ``We've always been that way. Plenty of light - you might need your sunglasses. We have a good time. Fun is the bottom line for us.''
The band's instrumentation is unique.
``Most artists get their real identity from their vocal sounds,'' Roe said. ``We have that - but in the band situation we've been able to develop a unique, identifiable sound. We play it for all it's worth.
``The market today is crowded and it's hard to separate yourself from the pack. We try to do it with sheer talent,'' said Roe, an Ohio native who has a degree in business management from David Lipscomb University in Nashville. ``We have some great players and play that up. We showcase each guy's individual talent.''
The radio hits, of course, are important - ``Love A Little Stronger,'' ``Bubba Hyde'' and ``Finish What We Started,'' to name a few.
The in-demand group is also part of three tribute albums - ``Common Thread: The Song of the Eagles,'' ``Mama's Hungry Eyes,'' a salute to Merle Haggard, and ``Keith Whitley/A Tribute Album.''
Rio's latest single is ``Walkin' Away,'' from the new album, ``IV.''
``It could be No. 1 by the time we get to Portsmouth,'' Roe said. ``I'm more excited, though, about `That's What I Get For Loving You,' which will be the second release from the album.''
Another song, ``It's All In Your Head,'' could be the sleeper, he said. Roe calls it ``a wild song about a Pentecostal preacher and his wild ideas about the way things ought to be. He has slightly off-center ideas about the way things have been in the past - the government, conspiracy. He has the right idea about some things, so you don't know whether or not to trust him.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
The vocal group Diamond Rio has won numerous country music awards in
the 1990s.
Graphic
In Concert
[To order tickets: call 671-8100]
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by CNB