Walt Disney Records:
Biography of Diamond Rio

One of country music's best-loved and most-awarded bands, Diamond Rio performs a new rendition of "Beauty and the Beast." The group is composed of lead singer Marty Roe, lead guitarist Jimmy Olander, mandolinist and vocalist Gene Johnson, drummer Brian Prout, bassist and vocalist Dana Williams, and keyboardist Dan Truman. The Arista/Nashville recording group made its debut in 1991 with the platinum-selling Diamond Rio and followed it with Close to the Edge in 1992, Love a Little Stronger in 1994, and their current album, IV.

While two of Diamond Rio's albums have gone platinum and another gold, the group has garnered five Grammy® nominations, three Country Music Association Awards as Vocal Group of the Year and two Academy of Country Music trophies as Top Vocal Group. They were the first band in country music history to have a debut single -- "Meet in the Middle" -- reach the No. 1 spot on every trade magazine chart. The band's 1995 tour was recently certified as one of the largest grossing tours in country music.

Diamond Rio is actively involved in several charities, including an annual celebrity golf tournament to support the middle Tennessee chapter of the American Lung Association. The band has participated in the event for the past four years, helping to raise $50,000 for the chapter this year alone. The group has also volunteered to work as national spokespersons for the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America organization, which provides role models for children lacking a parent. In every city where the band performs in 1996, the participants in this companionship program will be given free tickets and backstage passes to the Diamond Rio concerts in their area.