Joe Diffie was a prominent American country music singer and songwriter. He rose to fame in the 1990s with 35 charted singles on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, including five number one hits: "Home," "If the Devil Danced," "Third Rock from the Sun," "Pickup Man," and "Bigger Than the Beatles." Diffie also penned songs for other artists such as Holly Dunn, Tim McGraw, and Jo Dee Messina, and collaborated with notable musicians like Mary Chapin Carpenter, George Jones, and Marty Stuart.
December 28, 1958: Joe Diffie's Birth
Joe Logan Diffie was born on December 28, 1958, marking the beginning of his journey in the world of country music.
1958: Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1958, Joe Diffie's musical journey began early, influenced by his family's own musical talents.
1977: Marriage and Career Shifts
In 1977, Joe Diffie embarked on a new chapter in his personal life with his first marriage. He also navigated through various jobs while pursuing music on the side.
1986: Divorce from Janise Parker
Joe Diffie and his first wife, Janise Parker, whom he married in college, divorced in 1986. They had two children together, Parker and Kara.
1986: Life Changes and Move to Nashville
The year 1986 marked a period of significant change for Joe Diffie, as he faced bankruptcy, sold his studio, and went through a divorce. He eventually decided to move to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue his music career.
1989: Meeting Future Wife and Demo Recording
In 1989, Joe Diffie met Debbie, who would later become his second wife. He continued to record demos, working with notable figures in the industry.
1990: Signing with Epic Records
In 1990, Joe Diffie's career took a significant turn as he signed with Epic Records' Nashville division, marking the start of a fruitful period in his musical journey.
1990: Debut Album and Chart Success
Joe Diffie's debut album, "A Thousand Winding Roads," was released in late 1990, achieving both critical and commercial success with its hit single "Home."
1990: Signing with Epic Records
Joe Diffie's talent was recognized by Bob Montgomery, leading to his signing with Epic Records in early 1990, a pivotal step in his rise to country music fame.
1991: Collaboration with Keith Palmer
In 1991, Joe Diffie showcased his songwriting skills by co-writing tracks for labelmate Keith Palmer's debut album.
1991: Tyler Diffie's Health Scare
Joe Diffie's son, Tyler, who was born with Down syndrome, experienced a serious health scare in 1991 due to complications from a tonsillectomy.
1992: Academy of Country Music Nomination
Joe Diffie's rising success in the country music scene was acknowledged in 1992 with a nomination from the Academy of Country Music for Top New Male Vocalist.
1992: Release of "Regular Joe"
Joe Diffie's album "Regular Joe" hit the music scene in 1992 and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.
1992: Release of "Regular Joe" and Grammy Nomination
Joe Diffie released his second album, "Regular Joe," in 1992, which featured successful singles and earned him a Grammy nomination for his duet with Mary Chapin Carpenter.
1992: Charity Concerts and Golf Tournament for First Steps
Beginning in 1992, Joe Diffie started hosting an annual charity concert and golf tournament in support of First Steps, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing educational resources for children with mental and physical disabilities.
1993: Release of "Honky Tonk Attitude" Album
In 1993, Joe Diffie released his album "Honky Tonk Attitude," which went platinum and featured hit singles like "John Deere Green" and "Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox (If I Die)."
1993: Release of "Honky Tonk Attitude"
Joe Diffie released his album "Honky Tonk Attitude" in 1993, a project that would achieve platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America.
1993: Induction into the Grand Ole Opry and CMA Award Win
Joe Diffie's career reached new heights in 1993 when he was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry and received the Country Music Association Award for Vocal Event of the Year for his contribution to George Jones's "I Don't Need Your Rockin' Chair."
1993: Grammy Awards Ceremony
The 35th Grammy Awards ceremony took place in 1993, where Joe Diffie was nominated for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for his duet with Mary Chapin Carpenter.
1994:
1994: Release of "Third Rock from the Sun"
In 1994, Joe Diffie released the album "Third Rock from the Sun," another project that garnered platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America.
1994: Tracy Lawrence Records "I Got a Feelin'"
Tracy Lawrence, in 1994, recorded and released the song "I Got a Feelin'," which would later be included on Joe Diffie's album "Twice Upon a Time."
1995: Release of "Life's So Funny"
The year 1995 saw the release of Joe Diffie's album "Life's So Funny," a project that resonated with audiences and earned gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America.
1996: Release of "Life's So Funny" and Chart Success
In 1996, Joe Diffie released his album "Life's So Funny," which featured his last number-one single, "Bigger Than the Beatles," and other notable tracks like "C-O-U-N-T-R-Y" and "Whole Lotta Gone."
1996: David Kersh's Success with "Goodnight Sweetheart"
In 1996, a song originally recorded by Joe Diffie, "Goodnight Sweetheart," became a top-10 country hit for fellow artist David Kersh.
1997: Release of "Twice Upon a Time" Album
Joe Diffie's album "Twice Upon a Time" was released in 1997, featuring the singles "This Is Your Brain," "Somethin' Like This," and "The Promised Land."
1997: Release of "Third Rock from the Sun" and Crossover Success
Joe Diffie's album "Third Rock from the Sun" was released in 1997, featuring hit singles like "Pickup Man" and "So Help Me Girl," which also gained popularity on pop charts.
1997: Receives Humanitarian Award
In recognition of his philanthropic work with First Steps, Joe Diffie received the Humanitarian Award from the Country Radio Broadcasters in 1997.
1998: Release of "Greatest Hits" Album and Chart Success
Joe Diffie released his "Greatest Hits" album in 1998, which included new tracks like "Texas Size Heartache" and "Poor Me" that achieved chart success.
1999: Release of "A Night to Remember" and Chart Performance
Joe Diffie released his final album with Epic Records, titled "A Night to Remember," in 1999, which included the hit singles "A Night to Remember" and "It's Always Somethin'."
1999: Grammy Award Win for "Same Old Train"
Joe Diffie's collaboration with Marty Stuart and other artists on the song "Same Old Train" earned them a Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals in 1999.
2000: Marriage to Theresa Crump
In 2000, Joe Diffie married Theresa Crump, whom he had met at one of his concerts. The wedding took place at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville.
2001: Label Change and Release of "In Another World"
In 2001, Joe Diffie transitioned to Monument Records and released the album "In Another World," featuring a more contemporary sound and themes of love.
2003: Tougher Than Nails Album Release
In 2003, Joe Diffie released "Tougher Than Nails" under the independent label Broken Bow Records. This album, produced in collaboration with Johnny Wilson and Buddy Cannon, featured five songs co-written by Diffie himself, including the title track which became a top-20 hit.
2004: End of Tenure with Epic Records
By 2004, Joe Diffie's time with Epic Records came to an end, concluding a significant chapter with the label that saw the release of numerous hit singles and albums.
2004: Birth of Daughter, Kylie
Theresa and Joe Diffie welcomed their daughter, Kylie, in 2004.
2005: "Pickup Man" Featured in Applebee's Commercials
In 2005, Joe Diffie's song "Pickup Man" found new life when it was used in television commercials for Applebee's restaurant chain.
2005: Co-writing Jo Dee Messina's Number One Hit
Joe Diffie co-wrote the song "My Give a Damn's Busted", which was originally recorded for his album "In Another World." In 2005, Jo Dee Messina covered the song for her album "Delicious Surprise", and it became a number-one hit.
2006: Recording Vocals for "Pickup Man" Cover
Joe Diffie recorded vocals for a cover of his song "Pickup Man" in 2006. This recording was later featured in a collaborative release by Hardy and Post Malone, released as a single from Hardy's album "Hixtape Vol. 3" in 2024.
2007: Benefit Concert for Sgt. Kevin Downs
Joe Diffie joined Lonestar, Charlie Daniels, and Craig Morgan in 2007 to perform at a benefit concert for Sgt. Kevin Downs, an Iraqi War veteran who suffered severe injuries.
2008: Live Album and Signing with Rounder Records
In 2008, Diffie released a live album compilation of his work. Later that year, he signed with Rounder Records and released "The Ultimate Collection," an album featuring re-recordings of his hit songs from his time with Epic Records.
August 2010: County Fair Tour
To promote his bluegrass album, "Homecoming", Joe Diffie embarked on a tour across various county fairs in August 2010.
October 26, 2010: Homecoming: The Bluegrass Album Release
Joe Diffie released "Homecoming: The Bluegrass Album" on October 26, 2010, under Rounder Records. The album, co-produced with Luke Wooten, featured collaborations with bluegrass artists such as The Grascals and Rhonda Vincent, and included the song "Tennessee Tea" which Diffie originally recorded during his time with Special Edition.
2010: Parker and Kara Diffie Audition for American Idol
In mid-2010, Joe Diffie's son, Parker, and daughter, Kara, auditioned for the singing competition show, American Idol. Parker had previously worked as Diffie's stage manager in the mid-2000s.
2010: Release of "Homecoming: The Bluegrass Album"
Joe Diffie returned to his musical roots with the release of "Homecoming: The Bluegrass Album" in late 2010, a project released through Rounder Records.
2012: Collaborations and New Music
In 2012, Joe Diffie collaborated with Aaron Tippin and Sammy Kershaw on the album "All in the Same Boat". He also released the single "Girl Riding Shotgun" with D Thrash of the Jawga Boyz.
February 2013: Jason Aldean Releases "1994"
Country singer Jason Aldean released "1994" as a single from his album "Night Train" in February 2013. The song, co-written by Thomas Rhett, Luke Laird, and Barry Dean, paid homage to Joe Diffie, incorporating his name and several of his song titles in the lyrics.
2017: Divorce from Theresa Diffie
Joe Diffie and Theresa Diffie divorced in 2017 after 17 years of marriage.
2018: Marriage to Tara Terpening
In 2018, Joe Diffie married Tara Terpening. The wedding ceremony was held at The Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville.
2019: Release of Vinyl Album "Joe, Joe, Joe Diffie"
Joe Diffie released a vinyl album titled "Joe, Joe, Joe Diffie" in 2019.
March 27, 2020: Announces Positive COVID-19 Test
Joe Diffie publicly shared that he had tested positive for COVID-19 on March 27, 2020.
March 29, 2020: Joe Diffie's Passing
American country music singer and songwriter Joe Diffie passed away on March 29, 2020.
2023: Hardy's Tribute to Joe Diffie at the ACM Awards
During the Academy of Country Music Awards ceremony in 2023, country singer Hardy paid tribute to the late Joe Diffie. He was joined by Morgan Wallen and Post Malone for live performances of Diffie's hit songs, "Pickup Man" and "John Deere Green".
March 2024: Release of Hardy's "Hixtape Vol. 3"
Hardy's album "Hixtape Vol. 3" is set to release in March 2024, featuring a collection of Joe Diffie's songs covered by Hardy and other artists.