Diamond Rio, Rebel Syndicate take stage for festival

Diamond Rio and Rebel Syndicate, along with their famous guest singer, Rickey Lee Phelps, will put on a show Nov. 13 as part of the Holiday Festival presented by the Boys & Girls Club.

Diamond Rio, a band that has sold more than 10 million albums, earned three platinum and five gold records, won the Country Music Awards in the top Vocal Group of the Year category and 13 Grammy nominations, will headline the concert at the Marina Civic Center at 7 p.m.

After two decades of making music, and becoming the first group in the history of country music to have a debut single reach No. 1, Diamond Rio recently has been recognized with the release of their new Christian album on Sept. 22.

Always having faith as believers but never before outwardly expressing it, they have transitioned from mainstream country music to a Christian deal with Word Records for the signing of their 11th album, "The Reason."

The group has long been known for such positive hits as "I Believe," "Mama Don’t Forget to Pray For Me," and "One More Day," but now they have produced an album that reflected their passion for God.

Guitarist Jimmy Olander, said, "There has always been a veil on our Christianity and the veil is off. We’re revealing who we are. We’re not preaching. We’re not preachers, but we’re saying, ‘This is who I am and I’m proud of it.’ God is working and we’re here for a reason."

Gene Johnson, who plays the mandolin and sings harmony, said, "The fact that we have recorded songs with positive messages is not by accident. We chose to do that. We’ve had songs that touched people beyond their ears, and got down into their hearts."

Diamond Rio also has written a book, "Beautiful Mess," that "tells the story of how six contrasting personalities formed a partnership … establishing an inspiring musical legacy." The book’s release coincides with Diamond Rio’s album, "The Reason."

"This is the most personal album they’ve ever recorded and opens a new chapter in the band’s impressive career. It’s so personal and it’s very cool to lay this out there for all to hear," said Dana Williams, the band’s bassist and harmony vocalist.

"I must tell you the Christian community has made us feel so welcome. We were a little bit nervous about how we would be received in this market, but as far as the writers and the people in the creative Christian industry, it’s been open arms," Olander said.

Opening for the Diamond Rio concert, Rebel Syndicate also has performed at Thunder Beach the past two years and has been broadcasted on the Hank radio station with a following of 500 fan club members. Natives of Jackson County, all the band members also have well-established careers in the medical field.

"We insulate a bunch of different genres, don’t want to be pidgeon-holed into one. We have a variety of songs. We can play anything style from country to pop or rock including such bands as The Eagles, Bon Jovi, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rolling Stones, and Fleetwood Mac," said drummer John Scully.

"At this festival we will be playing all originals which will represent our southern rock band. We are very proud to be from the south and want to express that as we rock out. There are influences from every genre, and if you are from the South I’m sure you’ll like our music. We play rock music but are not just a rock band," said the front band member Randy Johnson.

They will perform and feature the country music grammy award winner, Rickey Lee Phelps, who will sit in as a guest during the last set at the Marina Civic Center.

Phelps, the famous singer for the Kentucky Headhunters, also produced Rebel Syndicate’s second album last year.

"When I used to play for Headhunters, we were like a family unit. The band was based in Kentucky and our headquarters was at an old house out in the cow pasture," Phelps said.

Beyond these musicians that will be performing at the Boys & Girls Club Holiday Festival, there will be a car show in conjunction with The Emerald Coast Cruizin that begins at 3:30 p.m. The Marina Civic Center will open at 5 p.m. with vendors presenting arts, crafts, clothes, purses, hats, jewelry, car accessories and food. There also will be activities for children such as bungees and bouncy houses. The Boys & Girls Club are looking for more vendors and the spaces are $50. After the concert when night falls, a fireworks show will begin. Tickets are available at the Marina Civic Center starting at $15.

"We are really excited about this opportunity to have a benefit for the Boys & Girls Club while at the same time we are repaying the support by giving the community a fun event to attend. Don’t forget there will also be a raffling of a guitar autographed by Diamond Rio," said Kellie Mitchum administrator of the Boys & Girls Club.