Diamond Rio’s America Works EP: Release Date, Songs & Details
The four-song project includes new original music, a duet with Marty Roe and Carson McKee, and the previously released instrumental “The Kick.”
Written by Amanda Tempel
Date Published: September 21, 2026
Diamond Rio will release its four-song America Works EP on November 13 through Rio Records 2.0 / One Riot Records.
The project includes three new original songs - “America Works,” “Other Side of The World,” and “Pink Guitar” - along with the previously released instrumental “The Kick.”
The EP comes during a milestone year for Diamond Rio, marking 35 years since the release of the band’s debut single, “Meet in the Middle,” and self-titled debut album.
“Meet in the Middle” has now been certified 2X Platinum by the RIAA, while the Diamond Rio album is Platinum. “Beautiful Mess” and “One More Day” have also recently received Platinum certifications.
When Does Diamond Rio’s America Works EP Come Out?
Diamond Rio’s America Works EP will be released November 13.
The title track was released September 21, followed by “Other Side of The World” on October 16. “Pink Guitar” will arrive with the full EP on November 13.
Diamond Rio America Works Track List
The four-song America Works EP includes:
“America Works”
“Other Side of The World”
“Pink Guitar”
“The Kick”
All four songs were produced and co-written by Diamond Rio guitarist Jimmy Olander.
“America Works”
Written by Olander and Jeffrey East, “America Works” centers on people showing up for one another through service, sacrifice, and everyday acts of selflessness.
The song is accompanied by an official music video directed by Diamond Rio drummer Micah Schweinsberg.
Part of the video was filmed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and features military personnel along with members of Diamond Rio’s families, friends, and crew.
The video follows three people at different stages of life as they face personal challenges, help others, and serve their country.
“We started at Fort Campbell getting shots of our military on the base,” Schweinsberg said. “I’ve always respected our military, but seeing them train and function reinstated my respect for their willingness to sacrifice in order to keep our freedom in this country.”
Olander said the personal connections among the people appearing in the video made the project especially meaningful.
“Other than a few soldiers at Fort Campbell, every cast member in the video is connected to us personally,” Olander said. “It made the whole thing feel incredibly meaningful.”
The “America Works” video premieres September 21 on The Heartland Network’s Country Music Today. Diamond Rio is also scheduled to hold a Facebook Live ahead of the premiere to answer fan questions and discuss the new project.
“Other Side of The World”
“Other Side of The World” will be released October 16.
Olander wrote the song with Marty Roe and Heather Morgan. The deeply personal track was inspired by Roe watching his oldest daughter move to Australia after high school to attend Hillsong College and study music.
The song also marks a first for Diamond Rio, with Carson McKee joining Roe on lead vocals for the duet.
“The inspiration was trying to create a special piece of music that tells some of Marty’s pride and heartbreak as his daughter moved to Australia,” Olander said. “Marty was very open and transparent when we wrote it, and things got emotional a time or two. Now, with Carson McKee in the band, it created a great opportunity to cut the song as a duet.”
McKee was 24 when she recorded her vocals and had recently graduated from college and moved to Nashville, giving her a personal connection to the song’s story.
“This was emotional for me,” McKee said. “I was homesick, and there’s a line in my verse, ‘I miss you Dad like you’ll never know.’ I remember having to cut it over and over because I couldn’t sing it without crying. It’s a powerful song, and getting to sing it as a duet with Marty was really special.”
“Pink Guitar”
“Pink Guitar” will be released alongside the full America Works EP on November 13.
Olander wrote the song with Hayley McLean and Josh Shilling.
The track features McKee on lead vocals, giving Diamond Rio’s newest vocalist another prominent role on the project.
“The Kick”
The fourth song on America Works is “The Kick,” an instrumental Diamond Rio previously released.
The recording marked the first time the band’s two newest members appeared on a Diamond Rio release.
“The Kick” rounds out the four-song project alongside the three new original tracks.
Who Produced Diamond Rio’s America Works EP?
Jimmy Olander produced and co-wrote all four songs on America Works.
Diamond Rio also kept much of the project’s visual production within the band. Schweinsberg wrote and directed the accompanying music videos.
Diamond Rio Celebrates 35 Years of “Meet in the Middle”
The release of America Works coincides with 35 years since Diamond Rio made country music history with “Meet in the Middle.”
The song became the band’s first No. 1 single and has since been certified 2X Platinum.
More than three decades later, Diamond Rio continues releasing new music while celebrating a catalog that also includes songs such as “One More Day,” “Beautiful Mess,” and “How Your Love Makes Me Feel.”
America Works arrives November 13.
Diamond Rio Photo Credit: Robby Klein
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