Diamond Rio fans will get a taste of the band’s country classics and holiday music during a show Friday evening at Penn’s Peak, located on Maury Road, Jim Thorpe.

“We’ll do some hits, then take you through the whole Christmas story,” said Dana Williams, Diamond Rio’s bass guitarist and baritone vocalist. We talk about the reason for the season, celebrating Christ’s birthday, the whole nine yards. Hopefully, we’ll have everybody leave there in the Christmas spirit.”

In November, an expanded edition of 2007’s “A Diamond Rio Christmas: The Star Still Shines” hit streaming services. One of two albums the band recorded for Christian music label Word Records, the set now boasts the original 12 selections, plus three live tracks.

Formed in 1982 in Nashville as the Grizzly River Boys, the band - of which Ty Herndon was an early member, departing in 1983 - quickly changed its name to the Tennessee River Boys.

After signing to Arista Records in 1990, the group, drawing inspiration from the now-defunct Diamond Reo Trucks company, chose Diamond Rio as its moniker.

The group’s lineup had remained in tact since 1989, until drummer Brian Prout retired earlier this year. Aside from Williams, the band features: Marty Roe, lead vocals; Gene Johnson, mandolin and tenor vocals; Jimmy Olander, lead guitar, acoustic guitar and banjo; Dan Truman, keyboards.; and, now on drums, Micah Schweinsberg.

During its 16-year run with Arista Nashville, Diamond Rio scored three million-selling albums, with five others crossing the half-million mark. “Meet in the Middle,” the act’s 1991 debut single, marked the band’s first of 19 top 10 singles on Billboard’s country chart.

“Meet in the Middle” also earned Diamond Rio the first of five No. 1 hits, which also include 2000’s “One More Day” and 2002’s “Beautiful Mess.” The latter later provided the title of the band’s 2009 autobiography.

Among its accolades, Diamond Rio won the Vocal Group category six times between the Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association awards. In 2004, the band, with more than $1 million raised for nonprofits, won the Minnie Pearl Humanitarian Award.

Q&A

Before Diamond Rio’s show at the Peak, Andrews, a Dayton, Ohio-born former sideman for Jimmy C. Newman, took time to discuss the band’s career.

Q: What inspired you to pursue music, and who were some influences?

A: I had a musical family, uncles that were into it - The Osborne Brothers, Bobby and Sonny - who were members of the Grand Ole Opry. I followed them closely. Then I got exposed to Elvis, Merle Haggard, Ronnie Milsap. The seed had been planted.

Q: How did you come to join the band?

A: I had known Jimmy Olander in the early ’80s. We were friends, played in different bands together. He called when they were looking for somebody. I auditioned. Apparently, they liked what they heard.

Q: Shortly after Diamond Rio signed to Arista, Gene and yourself had carpentry and water-skiing accidents, respectively, and Jimmy discovered he had a mass pressing against his esophagus. Was that period the biggest challenge the band experienced?

A: It was a heavy personal challenge. That was a moment we all tried to forget as quick as possible. [laughs] It was the biggest challenge, as far as the band goes, that I can think of. We haven’t had any major personal breakdowns over the years. We’ve been fortunate.

Q: If you had to choose an album to represent Diamond Rio, what would it be?

A: I don’t think there is a specific album you can nail down, because we were just so all over the board. We had a country singer, bluegrass players, a rock and roll drummer, a jazzy kind of piano player. We melded all that together, and you got Diamond Rio out of it.

Q: Until Brian’s retirement from music, Diamond Rio’s lineup remained unchanged for more than 30 years. What do you credit for such stability?

A: Nobody knew how to do anything else. [Laughs] We were just able to conduct our business. We were always civil in everything we did, trying to do what’s best for the band. Sometimes, individuals had to take a backseat to the band. We were all struggling musicians, separately and together. Once something’s working, you don’t wanna mess that up.

Q: Through the years, Diamond Rio’s members have done work outside of the band. Kenny Chesney and Carrie Underwood, for instance, recorded songs that Jimmy co-wrote, while Dan also wrote material for other acts. Do you have a favorite non-band project?

A: Of course, my store’s going to be my favorite. [Laughs] Me and my wife started a retail store here in town, The Trendy Trunk in Hendersonville, Tennessee. It’s been open for 16 years. It’s all girlie stuff. I moved here when I was 11. I’ve been here ever since.

Q: What inspired the band’s involvement in charitable endeavors?

A: You go along in life, struggling. When things are going well, finally, you’re able to give back. We’ve done different things; the golf tournament for 10 years, the running team we did with the marathons. We’re trying to find ways to help and give back.

Q: It’s been seven years since Diamond Rio’ 10th studio set, “I Made It,” released on the band’s own Rio Hot Records. Is new music coming?

A: We got a little video piece, new music, we’re working on. It will out sometime after the first of the year.

Q: Is there anything you still want to accomplish in your career?

A: It would be great to be in the Country Music Hall of Fame. That would be an ultimate, for sure. Maybe if we start dying, that might happen. [laughs] We‘ve been blessed. Not as blessed as some, but way more than a lot. They need to get to voting, I’ll tell you that.

For more information on the show, visit www.pennspeak.com.