Joe Diffie

From his first record deal in 1989, to present time, Joe Diffie released up to 5 #1 singles, along with many success throughout his career. Diffie had released up to 7 albums from 5 different recording studios, with his recent in 2010, Homecoming: The Bluegrass Album.  '"I always had in mind to do a bluegrass album someday," says Joe Diffie. "It was something I wanted from the first day that I got my country deal."' It did take a few years for Diffie to release one, however, it's not the first time he played bluegrass (explain a littlebit later on). So, who exactly is Joe Diffie? Which is a lot better question to ask than, "Who is Paul McCartney?" (Honestly, it's ok to ask about McCartney, but might want to do some research first before thinking he's new).

Diffie was born on December 28,1958 in Tulsa, Oklahoma as Joe Loan Diffie. As mentioned earlier, Diffie had released 7 albums with at least one being from each: Monument Record (catalog now managed by Sony Music's Legacy Recordings unit; if possible, keep this in mind), Broken Bow Record (now partnered with RED Distribution to form Red Bow Records), Rounder Records (now purchased by Concord Music Group). Diffie first signed in with Epic Records in 1990. Scored #1 with: "Home," "If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets)," "Third Rock from the Sun," Pickup Man," and "Bigger Than the Beatles."

Diffie been performing since he was 4 year old. First in his aunt country music band, then performed in a Rock band while in high school. During his childhood, Diffie had moved several different times. Since First Grade, he moved to San Antonio, then to Washington State, up to Wisconsin, and then back to Oklahoma; where he finished high school in Velma, Oklahoma. When Diffie graduated, he attended Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma where he studied in the medical field (dropped out when he realized medical school wasn't for him). Diffie then lived in Duncan, Oklahoma and worked in a foundry (factory that produces metal castings) while he did music on the side. In doing so, he performed with a gospel group called High Purpose, then onto Bluegrass (see? Diffie was in bluegrass long before his recent bluegrass album) with Special Edition (the influence in Diffie bluegrass album, but don't forget the bluegrass band name just yet). During this time, Diffie also been sending demos to Nashville, Tennessee. One of the demo caught Hank Thompson, and Thompson recorded "Love On the Rock." Which became a sign Diffie was on the right track. Diffie final sign was when Randy Travis was also interested in recording one of Diffie demo, but never did. However, That did not stop Diffie from pursuing forward with his destiny.

Bad luck did find Diffie as the foundry closed in 1986 (around the year I was born; but that's not important). Diffie went into bankruptcy, and sold his Studio he build while he was with Special Edition. He also went through a divorce with his wife around that time as well. Diffie went through a few months of depression, but then decided to move to Nashville to try his luck, andluck he sure did get. While working for Gibson Guitar Corporation, he recorded demos, that were later recorded by Ricky Van Shelton, Billy Dean, Alabama, and The Forester Sisters. He then decided to quit his job in 1989 to become a full-time demo recorder. Same year, Diffie was contacted by (wait for it) Bob Montgomery (yes, the one and only), songwriter and record producer whom worked with Buddy Holly, to have a contract with them. However, Diffie had to wait a year before signing in. During the wait, Diffie, Lonnie Wilson, and Wayne Perry co-wrote, "There Goes My Heart Again." In which, was recorded by Holly Dunn with Diffie on the backup vocal. Afterward, Diffie was finally signed into Epic Record.

It wasn't everyday a newcomer artist become a big deal. Except when 1989 came around. That's right a lot of major artist came thru, but Joe Diffie came out on top. With his first single, "Home," from his debut album, A Thousand Winding Roads, went to #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs. Still don't think it's a big deal? The single also was rated #1 by Radio & Records and Gavin Report. Making Diffie the first country music artist to have a debut single on all three charts. It gets even better! Diffie, is also the first country music artist to have a debut single spend more than one week in the number one position at the latter two publications. The album producers were Bob Montgomery and Johnny Slate. Diffie other singles from the album also had success as well. Such as, "If You Want Me To" and "New Way (To Light Up an Old Flame). Both reaching #2. "If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pocket)" was Diffie second #1 while the album peaked at #23 on Top Country Albums. On the road, Diffie first toured with George Strait and Steve Wariner. In the meantime, Diffie co-wrote, "Livin' On What's Left of Your Love" and "Memory Lane," found on Keith Palmer's debut album.

Next came Regular Joe album, released in 1992, and was certified gold by Recording Industry Association of America. The only interesting thing about this album, was his single, "Next Thing Smokin'," was released one month before the duet with Mary Chapin Carpenter, "Not Too Much to Ask" from her Come On Come On album. Then in 1993 Came the honky tonk feeling of his Honky Tonk Attitude album. Where the titled track, and "John Deere Green" both reached #5. "John Deere Green" introduced Diffie to his first appearance on the Billboard Hot 100, coming in at #69. The song that made it higher in the country chart? Tend to be a classical to this day, "Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox (If I Die)." peaking in at #3. 1993 was a great year for Diffie as he was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry and was one of the guest vocal for George Jones, "I Don't Need Your Rockin' Chair." It was also in 1993 when Tim McGraw made his debut with his album, which included "Memory Lane" and "Tears in the Rain."

Third Rock from the Sun was released in 1994 as Diffie highest-charting Top Country Album, coming in at #6. It was his first album he co-produced with Johnny Slate. What's included in this album? My #1 favorite song from him, "Pickup Man." It became his fourth single (with the title track being his third) to reach #1, and his longest to spend there, for four weeks. A little over ten years later, Applebee's restaurant had the song reproduced for their "Car-side to Go" commercial. "So Help Me Girl" topped the RPM country chart and reached #2 on the Billboard chart. a few years later in 1997, the song was covered by English singer, Gary Barlow. In 1995, Diffie released Runnin' Wide Open, with Columbia Records. Based as a NASCAR-theme record, with songs by various artist. later that year, Diffie released a Christmas album with his classical single, "LeRoy the Redneck Reindeer," from his Mr. Christmas album. while in the same year, Diffie released Life's So Funny album. With this album, Diffie released his last #1 single of his career, "Bigger Than the Beatles." 1996 wasn't a great year for Diffie, as the release of Twice Upon a Time album did not produce any # 1 singles, nor did any of them see the Top Ten. Even worse? "The Promise Land" peaked #61, the lowest-peaking of his career.

His final album from Epic Records was released in 1999, titled, A Night to Remember. The title track spent twenty-nine weeks on the country chart, peaking in at #6, and was his only Top 40 on the Top 100 found at #38. In 2001 Diffie was moved from Epic to Monument, by Sony (remember from earlier when I ask to keep a statement in mind?), to balance out both side. Don Cook and Lonnie Wilson produced Diffie only album from Monument, titled In Another World. Sometime after Monument closed down, Diffie toured with Mark Chesnutt and Tracy Lawrence starting in 2002. The same year, Diffie was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. The next year, Diffie signed with Broken Bow Records and released the only album from them, Tougher Than Nails. Diffie also did a duet with George Jones in, :What Would Waylon Do." Come 2005, Jo Dee Messina released "My Give A Damn's Busted," in which Diffie had recorded earlier in his In Another World album. However, Messina was able to make it #1 on her Delicious Surprise album.

Diffie continued to tour after leaving Broken Bow Record, but mainly played in smaller venues and county fairs. In 2007, he joined Lonestar, Charlie Daniels, and Craig Morgan to perform a benefit concert for sgt. Kevin Downs (soldier who was severely wounded in Iraq). 2008 came along, Diffie decided to release a live album and later signed in to Rounder Records. It was then, in 2010, when Diffie made his lifelong dream come true, by releasing Homecoming: The Bluegrass Album. Collaborations with The Grascals, Rhonda Vincent, and other bluegrass artists. The album was co-produced by Diffie and Luke Wooten, and included (get this) "Tennessee Tea," which Diffie previously recorded with Special Edition those years ago.

Jason Aldean did a tribute to Joe Diffie, by recording "1994" (which I think is the most annoying song, Aldean ever did. That just me tho). The song, co-written by Thomas Rhett, Luke Laird, and Barry Dean, was later released as a single in 2013. Throughout Diffie life, he's been married three different time. the first one was in 1977, where he had two kids and then divorced in 1986. (check this out) His son, Parker, went on to be Diffie on-road manager (not this one) in the mid-2000, while Parker and Diffie daughter, Kara (this one) went on to audition for American Idol in mid 2010 (fascinating ain't it?). Diffie then married again after two years of being divorced, also had two kids. However (might want to grab a kleenex for this one), from the two son he had in this marriage, the latter suffered from down syndrome and nearly died in 1991. Due to complication of a tonsillectomy (surgical procedure in which each tonsil is removed from a recess in the side of the pharynx called the tonsillar fossa). during this marriage, Diffie messed around with Liz Allison, the widow of NASCAR driver, Davey Allison in 1993. What happened next? Marriage problems, court, and the whole drama situation not worth going into. In 2000, Diffie then married the former Theresa Crump. How did that go? Far as I know they're still married. Had one additional daughter in 2004.

Diffie is still touring around, and with a lot of these artist from the 90's making a comeback, will Diffie be one of them? never know. I don't think he will, but you never know. With that, I leave you with a farewell til next time.

RESOURCE

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Diffie
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foundry
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonsillectomy
4. http://www.cmt.com/artists/joe-diffie/biography/
5. http://www.gactv.com/gac/ar_artists_a-z/article/0,,GAC_26071_6034151,00.html
6. http://dakotasioux.yapsody.com/event_details.php?show_id=708