You don’t have to be a country fan to know how to singalong to Diamond Rio songs. The iconic band from Nashville has had a long list of hits like “Meet In The Middle” and “One More Day,” to name just a couple, that have become genre-crossing mainstays of popular music. The Grammy and CMA Award winners had been touring for four decades. In November 2022, an up-and-coming designer from Kansas City named Willis Underhill joined them as their touring LD.

Although Diamond Rio had already achieved legendary status by then, they approached each tour with the gung-ho enthusiasm of country kids hitting the road for the first time. Their unbridled energy fit Willis’s passion for lighting like a well-worn pair of boots, and the chemistry clicked.

Willis was working as an operations manager and senior designer at a production house before joining the band. The magical moment began when he got a call from Allen Deneau, Dimond Rio’s lighting designer at the time. Allen asked him if he could recommend any LDs. Willis asked what the gig was and was told it was for Diamond Rio’s touring LD. There was no hesitation — Willis recommended himself for the position. Neither he nor his client has looked back since.

What stood out to you about this legendary band the first time you worked with them?
“It was their ability to connect with the crowd and create powerful moments with their music. From the start of the show to the last note, the crowd is singing every word with the band. You can feel the raw emotion in the room; that’s something I didn’t expect.”

Were you apprehensive when you began working for a legend?
“Yeah, who isn’t when you start with a band that has thirty-five years on the road and the awards they do. It’s easy to overthink things and get stressed out. The thing I focused on was making sure the band was lit; that’s what counts, not what I can make the lighting rig do.”

Diamond Rio has an extensive catalog of classic songs. Do you try to reflect classic looks when you light them? Or do you try to give them a new twist?
“I use both classic looks and newer concepts when lighting the band. Really, for me, it’s what feels right for the given song and moment. That’s what drives the looks I use for a given song. Everything from classic ACL rock looks to heavily saturated side light and negative space, or a large, delicate midair gobo look.”

How involved does the band get in making decisions about lighting?
“There are certain things the band wants to see in the show; outside of that, they let me do what I feel is best for the show. It’s really great to have that kind of freedom with the lighting design.”

Your client has so many great hits. What is your favorite Diamond Rio song to light?
“I really enjoy lighting all of the songs. But a few stand out. Watching the moments the band has with the crowd during One More Day and I Believe, or the sing-alongs during Meet In The Middle. The show is just a lot of fun to be a part of.”

Diamond Rio always seems to be so high-energy on stage. How does the traveling crew keep their mood up on tour?
“We see all kinds of venues, from small 250-seat clubs to major festivals, but not every day is easy. The high energy on stage makes the show a lot of fun. The crew is no exception; we look forward to the show every night, and everyone has a great time. That’s what it’s all about at the end of the night. I couldn’t ask for a better crew to work with every weekend.”

What has surprised you most about Diamond Rio since you began working for them?
“For me, it’s walking into some of the smaller venues. Most would discount it as just another small show or county fair, but it ends up being one of the more fun and memorable shows.”