A family-friendly group of six friends with a trailblazing-rock-band mentality, country music favorites Diamond Rio perform tonight at Lincoln Theater Napa Valley.

The band, founded more than 20 years ago, released its platinum-selling debut disc in 1991 and then went on to win the Country Music Association’s Vocal Group of the Year award the next year. After nine number one hits and numerous awards, Diamond Rio was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1998.

The group’s debut single, “Meet In The Middle” was the first of many hits. They’ve been on national charts so many times, they’ve released “Greatest Hits,” in two albums that include other hits like “I Believe,” “Mama Don’t Forget to Pray for Me” and “God Only Cries.”.

“Sometimes you can’t believe we’ve done so much,” said bass player Dana Williams. “It pretty well blows your mind.”

 In addition to selling more than 10 million records, the group has received the Minnie Pearl Humanitarian Award for their charitable endeavors, including their longtime relationship as National Spokespersons for Big Brothers Big Sisters.

“We were a band first, and if we had a record deal or not didn’t change who we were,” said lead singer Marty Roe. “That’s really how we’ve always been — and will be. We love playing our music together, and I think we’ll be doing this a long time from now, because we feel it’s special.”

Diamond Rio - Lincoln Theater Napa Valley

Wednesday, Aug. 20, 8 p.m. - Tickets: $49 to $69

Box Office: 944-1300 or www.lincolntheater.org.