DIAMOND RIO – RESTLESS HEART

DIAMOND
RIO

RESTLESS HEART
THE ORIGINAL
MEMBERS OF EACH GROUP

(Nashville,
TN-8.14.13)
This
past Friday, August 9th, in Lancaster, PA at the American Music
Theatre, I witnessed two of the best entertainment shows that I have seen in
many, many years.  First of all there were no problems, no ego’s
back stage, and no demanding management teams.  Just plain camaraderie
with old friend.  And when it comes to harmony, believe me when I say it
was awesome.  Remember that old saying “Beauty is in the eyes of
the Beholder,”
well on stage this night “Harmony is in the
ears of the Beholder.”  DR & RH put on an exhibition of what
true harmony should sound like and it was truly some of the greatest I have
ever heard, if not the very best of the best.
The
day started off a little scary when Diamond Rio’s bus stopped running
about 80 miles from Lancaster, PA.  They had a service man come out and
fix the problem, and they told us they should be there in about an hour. 
Sure enough there pulled and the production staff who were already set up for
DR loaded in their equipment, set it up, and begin running cords and duct tape
to all of the amps and instruments.  Restless Heart were already in the
building waiting their turn to set up, sound check and get ready for the show. 
No one got frustrated, everyone worked like busy bee’s and by 600PM we
were ready for the 8PM show.  These two groups know each other very well,
so it was a pleasure not to see or hear anyone getting out of hand because of
the late set up times, which in all fairness, there were really no late
times.  TWO SUPER GROUPS IN ALL WAYS.
The
people that travel and work with both of these groups know their jobs and made
sure that when the band members arrived for their sound check, everything would
be in order.  Remember, the original members of both Diamond Rio and
Restless Heart were on this show.  It was clockwork, and “Git Ur
Dun” boys, and that is exactly what they did.
Restless
Heart

opened the show and proceeded to sing hit after hit after hit for 60 minutes of
exciting and professional entertainment geared towards their fans.  Larry
Stewart still sings his butt off and the 5 part harmony was absolutely
phenomenal from the first note they sang until the last.  Their show was
set to the tempo of them having fun on stage and making sure their fans were a
part of every song.  I never realized how many hits Restless Heart really
had.  When I was touring with my band “years ago,” I remember
singing most of their hits, especially “Wheels.”  I promise
you that there was no dead time on stage and none in the audience.  They
did a medley of great songs by other groups, and believe this or not, but I
felt they did a better job than the original record.  THAT IS REALLY GOING
OUT ON THE LIMB, BUT THAT IS WHAT I DO BEST.
Restless
Heart finished their segment of the show with a rousing 3-4 standing ovation
and could have done another 15 minutes, but they are so professional, that they
knew the show had a time limit and they needed to enjoy the moment, and they
did, along with all of the fans in attendance.
A
25 minute intermission for band change over, and we were ready to go with Diamond
Rio
right on schedule.  Both introductions to the groups were done
with video screen and my job was so easy.  Diamond Rio’s intro took
me back when they first got together as a group.  I have always known Dana
Williams and when the band came onstage after the intro, the audience went
wild, as they did for Restless Heart.  Diamond Rio begin a string of hits
that was unbelievable.  These two groups had more known hits than I have
heard in many years.  DR was like a tank roaring through the woods, not
stopping for anything but to make sure that everyone was ready for more, and as
you probably know, the audience was ready and waiting to hear more of Diamond
Rio.  The guys don’t make this a job, because it would lose its
glow, and so it is their love of the music that they have been so successful
with.  Diamond Rio speaks their true feelings through their music, so all
of their songs had a special meaning to each member of the band.  It was
non-stop, sing another song, and listen to the heartbeat of their millions of
fans who love this group so much.  They gave the crowd a full 80 minutes
of hit songs, stories, and great music and once they started, they never looked
back.  They were energized by the crowd and fed off of their response
which was loud and clear on every song. 
When
their show ended, they took their bows, and then both groups went out to the
front lobby to autograph, take pictures, shake hands with their many friends
and fans, and to sell their merchandise.  These two groups are the meaning
of what true professionals are to our music industry.  Remember what I
said early on, no ego’s, no problems, and great people working for each
of them.  They are both the banner that is waving when they step on stage
to perform.  Even though they were not the steel guitar and fiddle, they
were country with their harmony, their stage presence, and their true love of
what they do, and do not think there is one of them in both groups that
doesn’t know the reality of what traditional country music is, so when I
hear such beautiful harmony such as Diamond Rio and Restless Heart sang, I know
they are for real in every aspect of country music. 

It
was a great evening and everyone was thrilled with both shows.  Impressed
with Diamond Rio and Restless Heart, yes I was  and I hope I can work with
them again, and again.  Makes a show so much better when the artists care
for what they are doing and they make sure that everyone involved in make the
show a success, know how much they appreciate the effort put forth.  If
you have never been lucky enough to go and see a show with Diamond Rio or
Restless Heart, or together, make it a point to get their schedule and when
they get close to your area, buy yourself a ticket and go and enjoy some great
artists and great music, with many, many hit records.  You will have
treated yourself to a special concert that you will not forget.  I PROMISE
YOU BOTH SHOWS ARE AWESOME.

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