You can still hear it. That distinct, crystalline guitar lick that kicks off "Meet in the Middle." It’s a sound that basically defined a decade of country music. When Arista Nashville finally dropped the Diamond Rio Greatest Hits album in 1997, it wasn't just a marketing cash-grab to bridge the gap between studio records. It was a victory lap.
Most bands are lucky to have a single "signature" sound. Diamond Rio had six. You had Marty Roe’s unmistakable lead vocals, but then you had this instrumental virtuosity that made other Nashville session players sweat. Jimmy Olander on the B-Bender guitar, Dan Truman’s keys, Gene Johnson’s high-lonesome mandolin, Dana Williams on bass, and Brian Prout’s steady percussion—they weren't just a backing band. They were a self-contained unit. That was rare then. It's even rarer now.
The 1991 Explosion and Why It Stuck
Let's look at the facts. In 1991, Diamond Rio became the first country group in history to have their debut single go straight to Number One. That song was "Meet in the Middle." If you grew up in that era, that song was inescapable. It was the soundtrack to every grocery store trip, every summer drive, and every high school dance.
The Diamond Rio Greatest Hits album captures that lightning in a bottle. What’s wild about that specific collection is how it maps the evolution of the genre. They arrived right as the "Class of '89" (Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Travis Tritt) was shifting the landscape, but Diamond Rio brought something different. They brought bluegrass chops to a pop-country radio format.
Honestly, the musicianship is what people usually overlook when they talk about "hits." On tracks like "Mirror, Mirror" or "In a Week or Two," the arrangements are deceptively complex. Listen to the harmonies. They weren't using Auto-Tune. Those are three-part stacks—Gene, Dana, and Marty—locked in so tight they sound like a single instrument. It’s that "blood harmony" feel, even though they aren't related.
What’s Actually on the Disc?
The 1997 compilation isn't just a rehash. It features 13 tracks that basically served as a masterclass in songwriting. You’ve got the heavy hitters like "Norma Jean Riley" and "Love a Little Stronger." But the real gems are often the ones that show their range.
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Take "Walkin' Away." It’s a ballad, sure. But it’s a ballad with teeth. Then you flip to something like "Bubba Hyde," which is just pure, unadulterated 90s fun. It’s quirky. It’s slightly ridiculous. It’s exactly what country radio used to be brave enough to play.
Two new songs were added to the Diamond Rio Greatest Hits album specifically to entice the fans who already owned the previous four albums: "How Your Love Makes Me Feel" and "Imagine That."
"How Your Love Makes Me Feel" became a massive hit. It’s probably one of their most enduring songs because it’s so damn relatable. It’s not about grand, cinematic romance; it’s about the small stuff. The "it's the way you look in the morning" stuff. It spent three weeks at the top of the Billboard Country charts. That’s not a fluke. That’s a testament to the band’s ability to pick songs that hit people right in the chest.
The Misconception About Their "Formula"
Some critics at the time—and even some listeners now—sorta pigeonholed them as "too polished." They thought because the production was so clean (shout out to producers Monty Powell and Mike Clute), the band lacked "grit."
That’s a total misunderstanding of what they were doing.
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Diamond Rio wasn't trying to be Waylon Jennings. They were trying to be the country version of The Eagles or Fleetwood Mac. They wanted every note to be perfect because they could play every note perfectly. If you ever saw them live during the mid-90s, you knew. There were no tracks. No hidden keyboard players behind a curtain. Just six guys and a lot of talent.
Why the 1997 Compilation Matters More Than the Later Ones
Yeah, they released Greatest Hits II later on. And sure, that one has "One More Day" and "Beautiful Mess," which are objectively massive songs. But the first Diamond Rio Greatest Hits album is the definitive one. Why? Because it captures the era when the band was hungry. It covers the 1991-1996 period where they were essentially reinventing what a country "group" could look like.
Before them, you had Alabama. Alabama was the blueprint. But Diamond Rio took that blueprint and added a level of instrumental sophistication that honestly wouldn't be seen again until groups like Little Big Town or Old Dominion came along. They proved that you could be "musician's musicians" and still sell millions of records.
Digging Into the Deep Cuts and Fan Favorites
If you're spinning this album today, pay attention to "Mama Don't Forget to Pray for Me." It’s a heavy song. It deals with the reality of being on the road, the distance from home, and that underlying tether to faith and family. It reached Number 9 on the charts, but it feels like it should have been bigger. It has a vulnerability that balances out the upbeat tempo of their other hits.
Then there’s "Night Is Fallin' in My Heart." The mandolin work on that track is exquisite. It’s a perfect example of how they used traditional bluegrass instruments to create a contemporary sound. They weren't hiding the mandolin in the mix; they were putting it front and center.
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The Legacy of the B-Bender
You can't talk about Diamond Rio without talking about Jimmy Olander’s guitar work. For the uninitiated, a B-Bender is a mechanical device inside the guitar that pulls the B-string up a whole tone. It makes the guitar sound like a pedal steel.
Olander is a wizard with it. On the Diamond Rio Greatest Hits album, his style provides a through-line. Whether it’s the twangy leads on "Norma Jean Riley" or the atmospheric swells on the slower tracks, his playing is the band's sonic fingerprint. It’s one of the reasons these songs haven't aged as poorly as some other 90s country. They don't rely on the "gated reverb" drums or the cheesy synth patches that scream "1994." They rely on wood, wire, and talent.
How to Truly Appreciate This Album Today
If you want to get the most out of the Diamond Rio Greatest Hits album, don't just stream it as background noise while you’re doing dishes. Give it a real listen on a decent set of speakers or headphones.
- Focus on the Harmonies: During the choruses of "Mirror, Mirror," try to isolate the three different voices. Notice how Gene Johnson’s tenor sits right on top, giving it that crystalline edge.
- Listen to the Transitions: These guys were master arrangers. Notice how they transition from a verse to a chorus. It’s often a subtle instrumental fill that bridges the gap.
- Check the Lyrics: Writers like Tim DuBois, Rick Bowles, and Arlos Smith were at the top of their game. These aren't "truck and beer" songs. They are stories about human connection, regret, and genuine joy.
Essential Listening Path
If you’re new to the band, start with "Meet in the Middle" to understand where they began. Move to "How Your Love Makes Me Feel" to see them at their commercial peak. Finally, sit with "Walkin' Away" to appreciate their emotional depth.
The Diamond Rio Greatest Hits album isn't just a collection of songs. It’s a document of a time when country music was expanding its boundaries while still keeping one foot firmly planted in the traditions of the Ryman Auditorium. It’s an essential piece of any country music library, and honestly, it’s just a damn good listen.
Actionable Steps for the True Fan
- Hunt for the Original CD: While streaming is easy, the liner notes in the original 1997 CD release contain great photos and credits that give you a better sense of the "Arista era" of the band.
- Watch the Live Performances: Go find 90s-era live footage of "How Your Love Makes Me Feel." Watching the band execute those harmonies in real-time is a much different experience than hearing the studio cut.
- Explore the Individual Players: Check out Gene Johnson’s history in bluegrass or Jimmy Olander’s work with other artists. Understanding their individual backgrounds explains why the band sounded the way it did.
The influence of Diamond Rio is still felt in the tight harmonies of modern groups and the technical proficiency expected of Nashville players today. They set the bar high. This album shows exactly where that bar was placed.