Diamond Rio

Beautiful Mess takes us through the 20-year history of Diamond Rio, along with the personal histories of all six band members and the band’s pre-Diamond Rio days. By bouncing back and forth through the years, the book tells us how the band members changed for the first few years while being billed as the Tennessee River Boys until the present band members came along. We also get a detailed history of each of the current band members.

I like Diamond Rio, but this book still couldn’t hold my interest. I started reading it and got bored. It took me months to pick it back up and finish it.

I’m not sure if there is just too much information packed into the book or if it’s because of the way the book goes back and forth through time, but it was hard for me to read. I felt like I was ping-ponging through history and it was just too distracting. I did learn some interesting things about the band and the country music industry, but I’m not sure it was worth struggling through the book to do so.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. The opinions I have expressed are my own.… (más)

My Thoughts:

This unique hardcover edition of Beautiful Mess The Story of Diamond Rio lived up to the earlier reviews that I had read and to the book blurb. I chose this book because I've always been a fan of this group's music. They will be glad to know that I'm one of many fans who never had a clue Diamond Rio was in trouble. Ignorance is truly bliss.

While reading this story of their years of struggle, success, struggle, and succees, I felt as though I'd been invited into their inner circle of close friends. I experienced the frustration, hurdles, and failures that burdened their early years. I soared with them through the awards and rewards of their successful years. I gasped when learning of the disaster that almost brought them to their knees in more recent years.

The story is told with candor, humor, and tears. I especially appreciated the many photos that depicted each stage of their journey. Anyone who enjoys the music of this group will more than enjoy reading Beautiful Mess.

Teaser Snippet:
"Diamond Rio's story is a beautiful mess. And an inspiration for anyone who wants to know what's possible when a small group of people rolls up its sleeves and works together."… (más)