Interview by Jenny Lynn Davis | Images courtesy of Diamond Rio
The 2025 Metal Central Foothills Festival kicks off this weekend in downtown Jasper, with beloved country band Diamond Rio headlining Friday night.
Originally formed in the 1980s as The Tennessee River Boys, the group became Diamond Rio in 1989 and quickly made history with their debut single “Meet in the Middle,” the first ever by a country band to hit No. 1. Over the years, they’ve released hits like “One More Day,” “Beautiful Mess,” and “Unbelievable,” earning seven No. 1 singles, a Grammy Award, and a place in the Grand Ole Opry. Known for their musicianship and philanthropy, the band has sold more than 6.8 million albums, surpassed a billion global streams, and raised over $1 million for charities.
The Walker Leader spoke with Diamond Rio’s Dana Williams about the band’s legacy, their excitement to headline in Jasper, and what keeps them passionate about making music more than three decades in.
WL: Diamond Rio has been together since the 1980s. How have you all kept that creative spark alive through the decades – especially now with fresh energy coming in from new members Carson McKee and Micah Schweinsberg following the retirement of Brian Prout and Gene Johnson?
DW: It’s been quite a ride over the years. I joined in 1989, and for the longest time I was the new guy. We started recording and putting out records in 1991, and from the very beginning we decided everything would be done as a group and every choice would be made together. If we had differences, we worked them out. This was our livelihood, so everybody wanted to protect it. Thankfully, we all shared the same vision, and that unity has carried us through the years.
About three years ago, Brian and Gene retired and we brought in Micah and Carson. They’ve been a great fit, and we’ve been able to keep that same mindset of working toward one common goal.
WL: Looking back at those earliest days, is there a moment you can point to where you knew, “Okay, this is going to work,” and Diamond Rio was going to have staying power?
DW: I’ve always thought and prayed a lot about the band lasting. We were never chasing fame or trying to be the biggest thing since sliced bread in country music. We just wanted to make a living, do this for a long time, and not be a flash in the pan or a one-hit wonder. Longevity was the goal. And that’s exactly how it’s played out. Honestly, it’s pretty amazing how fast the time has gone.
WL: This October marks the 25th anniversary of your hit “One More Day.” That song still means so much to people. What has it been like to watch it live on across generations, and what do you think gives it that lasting emotional pull?
DW: For me, it all comes down to the message of the song. I think everyone can relate to it, whether it’s a loved one, a pet, or whoever it might be, we’re all going to wish for one more day. And if you had that one more day, it would just make you wish for another. That’s what grabbed us when we first heard it. We said, ‘Man, we have to record this,’ and we couldn’t get it done quickly enough.
The song really took on a life of its own, and we’ve been blessed to have our names attached to it. Seeing how it’s helped people through some really tough times has been a huge blessing for us.
WL: You all just released your latest track, “The Kick.” What inspired that song, and how does it reflect where Diamond Rio is creatively in this new chapter?
DW: ‘The Kick’ came about really simply. We had two brand-new members join Diamond Rio, and since it was an instrumental, we thought it was the perfect way to introduce them. We made a video, put it out on socials, and let fans see who they were, hear them play, and just get a feel for them.
At the same time, instrumentals aren’t anything new for us. We’ve had several on our records over the years, and a few even earned Grammy nominations. That’s something we’ve always been proud of, so it just felt like a fun, fitting way to welcome the new guys.
WL: When you step out on stage, what’s the very first thing you notice about a crowd – and does it change depending on whether you’re playing a big arena, a festival, or a small-town setting like Jasper?
DW: The first thing I notice is how into it the crowd is—whether they’re hot, tired, or have been sitting there all day. Are they pumped and ready? Are they Diamond Rio fans, country music fans, or maybe waiting on another act? You can feel all that.
Arenas are loud and fun, but those small-town shows have a different kind of energy. They’re more intimate, almost like playing in someone’s living room, and we’ve always loved that. No matter where we are, though, we go out and give the best show we can. Our hope is always that folks walk away with great memories, that they get to escape life’s worries for a little while and just have a good evening.
WL: Speaking of Jasper – if you could sum up what you want your upcoming Foothills Festival performance to feel like in just a few words, what would you say?
DW: When people come to see us, they’re gonna hear the songs they expect from Diamond Rio. We’ll play as many as we can, and hopefully the crowd gets into it, because the more into it they are, the more into it we are.
At the end of the day, we just want it to be fun, family-friendly entertainment. That’s the goal. Hopefully folks will come out, hear some Diamond Rio, and go live a little bit of the 90s with us.
WL: If you had a free afternoon in a small Alabama town like Jasper, what would we probably find you doing?
DW: You might find me out at an RC field flying my radio-controlled airplane, or maybe just sitting outside soaking up the outdoors. Honestly, I don’t need much to be happy!
Diamond Rio takes the Foothills Festival stage at 9:30 p.m. on Friday, September 12, 2025. Admission is free, so gather your friends and make plans to attend!
Thank you to Dana Williams for taking the time to speak with us at The Walker Leader!
To learn more about Foothills Festival, visit FoothillsJasper.com
To learn more about Diamond Rio, visit DiamondRio.com.
Follow Diamond Rio:
Facebook: @DiamondRio
Instagram/Twitter/TikTok: @DiamondRioBand
YouTube: @DiamondRioTV
