Grammy Winners Come to Campbell

With more than 10 million albums sold and 14 Grammy nominations,including a win this year, Diamond Rio has continued to defy limitations.

Although the band has performed together for decades, its latest album, The Reason, marks its first venture into the Christian genre. Credits include seven studio albums—including three that went platinum—as well as two collections of greatest hits and one holiday album in 2007.

"We're all believers. We really are," says lead vocalist Marty Roe. "I think a lot of our [past] songs reflected that part of who we are, but this was different, to actually be able to say, in a stronger voice, what our hearts are about."

The band's other members are lead guitarist Jimmy Olander, drummer Brian Prout, keyboardist Dan Truman, bassist Dana Williams and Gene Johnson, who plays the mandolin, guitar and fiddle.

¨The fact that we have recorded songs with positive messages is not by accident. We chose to do that," says Johnson. He recalls receiving a letter explaining how a young female fan, who had run away from home, called her parents after hearing one of Diamond Rio's songs ("Mama Don't Forget to Pray for Me").

"Songs touch people; sometimes they can influence people's lives more than we realize," he says.

The group has also raised more than $750,000 for the charity group, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America.

The musicians admit that their journey of faith has not always been an easy one. Olander's father wouldn't let him attend church as a child. Prout had a change of heart after he realized in his early 20s that he had strayed from the path his childhood self had wanted. Williams struggled emotionally after the death of his pastor, mentor and friend (by which the song "What Are We Going to Do Now" was inspired).

For these and other reasons, the members claim that this album is by far their most personal.

"It's very cool to lay this all out there for all to hear," says Williams. "It feels really good."

Diamond Rio will perform for one night only at the in Campbell at 7 p.m. on Sunday.  Tickets are $51 and can be purchased here or by calling the box office at 408-866-2700.