Diamond Rio’s first Christmas CD arrives just in time for the holiday season.

Released on Word Records, The Star Still Shines: A Diamond Rio Christmas is the kind of Christmas CD you’d expect to hear from Diamond Rio. It includes one new song, the title track, as well as 11 other tracks of Holiday standards. You can tell just by listening to this CD that the six members of Diamond Rio really love the holiday season. And what would a Diamond Rio CD be without one of their famous instrumentals? If you love the sounds of the season, then you’ll love this CD.

Diamond Rio was formed in Nashville back in 1984, but they weren’t signed to Arista records until 1988. But due to some health issues, the band’s first single “Meet In The Middle” was delayed until 1991.

And who are the members of Diamond Rio? They are, Gene Johnson (mandolin, banjo, fiddle, guitar and tenor vocals,) Jimmy Olander (electric guitar and banjo,) Brian Prout (drums,) Marty Roe (lead vocals and acoustic guitar,) Dan Truman (keyboards) and Dana Williams (bass guitar and baritone vocals.) And since the group was founded, they’ve kept all six original members. And when you work that closely and that long with the same people, you develop a real sense of family among the group’s members. And you can really hear that sense of family in their first Christmas CD entitled The Star Still Shines.

The CD starts off with the title track. Many years ago, wise men once followed a star in search of guidance. And even in today’s modern troubled times, people still turn to that light for guidance and to help them find their way. And of course those fabulous Diamond Rio harmonies can be heard throughout this CD.

Sometimes you’ll find a Christmas CD that a country artist will release just because they feel that they should release one. That is not the case here. All one has to do is to read the liner notes and the long list of thank yous to know that family and Christmas still hold a very special place in the hearts and lives of the members of Diamond Rio. Their love and sincerity for the Christmas season and what it represents shines through on every song.

The remaining 11 tracks are pretty much holiday standards. But they put their personal touch on a few of the up tempo songs like “Walkin’ In A Winter Wonderland” and “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let it Snow.” Then they get to show off some of that fancy fast finger pickin’ with the bluegrass sounding “Sleigh Ride” and “Christmas Times A Comin’.” Then, they slow things down just a little on songs like “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire),” “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” and “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.” They also do a nice cover of the 1965 Vince Guaraldi Trio/Peanuts classic “Christmas Time is Here.” Actually there are two versions of this song on this CD. One with vocals, and the closing track which is instrumental.

But one of the most moving songs on the CD is the a capella rendition of “Hark!The Herald Angels Sing.” So while you’re testing the lights that worked last year, but not this year, making cookies with your kids, chasing the cats out from under the Christmas tree or just relaxing with that special someone, This is a wonderful Christmas CD that truly captures the feelings and sounds of the season. It’s been a long time coming, but well worth the wait. If you love the music of Diamond Rio, you’ll love their Christmas CD The Star Still Shines: A Diamond Rio Christmas.

Tracklist:

01 The Star Still Shines
02 Winter Wonderland
03 The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)
04 Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let it Snow
05 O Come, O Come Emmanuel
06 Sleigh Ride
07 Christmas Time is Here (Vocal)
08 I’ll Be Home for Christmas
09 Christmas Times A Comin’
10 Hark!The Herald Angels Sing
11 Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
12 Christmas Is Coming (instrumental)

http://rapidshare.com/files/72820199/DR_TSSS.rar

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