Six-time Vocal Group of the Year Diamond Rio took the downtown stage Saturday night during Martin’s 13th Annual Soybean Festival.

The six-man group, composed of members Marty Roe, Gene Johnson, Brian Prout, Dana Williams, Jimmy Olander and Dan Truman, kicked off the show with one of their classics, “Beautiful Mess.”

Lead singer Roe asked the question, “How’s everyone doin’ in Martin, Tennessee?” after the performance of the third song. After talking about such things as NASCAR and UT–Knoxville football, Roe announced, “We’re going to have some fun.”

The group promoted their new CD, which hit stores May 9, multiple times during the show. The 16-year music veterans performed a total of 24 songs, everything from their classics to Bluegrass and one song with a bit of Spanish flavor was performed. People in the crowd were constantly mouthing the words to the band’s songs as the group performed them.

The group also sang such hits as “Mama, Don’t Forget to Pray For Me” and “That’s What I Get For Loving You.”

Humor was even incorporated into the show when Roe explained how an ex-college girlfriend broke up with him to later inspire their new single, “Redneck Love Gone Bad.”

Roe even recalled once during the show the group playing years ago at a UTM basketball game.

The show ended with the crowd pleaser, “In God We Still Trust,” which encompasses the views of the group.

Elementary education and physical education major Jennifer Hickerson of Lynnville and health and human performance major Ashley Ruggles of St. Louis both commented after the show, saying, “We thought it was really good.”

“It was a fun atmosphere,” said Ruggles.

The concert was sponsored by Volunteer Community Hospital and First State Bank.

To learn more about the group, check out their Web site at www.diamondrio.com.