Joe Diffie Dies

Category: News/Obituary 

The COVID-19 virus has been ravaging the world, showing no interest in the wealth or popularity of victims.  This was evident today (3/29) with the death of country singer Joe Diffie. 

Diffie announced on Friday (3/27) that he had been diagnosed with the virus and was "under the care of medical professionals and currently receiving treatment."  Other than the request for "privacy for my family," there was no indication how serious his condition was.

Joe Diffie was born in Tulsa in 1958.  He went to Nashville in the mid-80s, taking a job at Gibson Guitars and pitching songs he was writing.  His break came when Hank Thompson recorded one of his songs, followed soon by Holly Dunn scoring a hit with Diffie's "There Goes My Heart Again." 

Diffie began recording on his own, and the hits came quickly.  Thanks to his traditional-sounding voice that impressed fans and fellow performers alike, the "neo-traditional" fans embraced him as well as the "new country" lovers.  His debut single, "Home," topped the charts; in fact, his first four singles (the aforementioned hit, "If You Want Me To," "If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets)," and "New Way (To Light Up an Old Flame)") were top two hits.

Although his popularity weaned Diffie was still well-loved among his fans and the Grand Ole Opry, where he was a member for 25 years.

This is the second Opry loss in a day: "Grand Lady of the Grand Ole Opry" Jan Howard passed away on March 28th.

Joe Diffie was just 61.