{"id":1319156,"date":"2020-03-29T14:41:44","date_gmt":"2020-03-29T20:41:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cmt.com\/news\/?p=1819613"},"modified":"2020-03-29T14:41:44","modified_gmt":"2020-03-29T20:41:44","slug":"joe-diffies-death-hits-country-music-hard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/music-news\/joe-diffies-death-hits-country-music-hard\/","title":{"rendered":"Joe Diffie\u2019s Death Hits Country Music Hard"},"content":{"rendered":"
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by Alison Bonaguro<\/a><\/span>
\n30m ago<\/span>
\n<\/span> <\/p>\n

Country stars are almost speechless this Sunday (March 29) upon hearing the news that Joe Diffie, a country star treasured by so many of his peers, had passed away at just 61. One of the most popular country artists of the \u201990s and early 2000s, Diffie died on Sunday from complications of coronavirus (COVID-19). <\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what his friends, fans and followers are saying about the man who, as Granger Smith noted, inspired an entire generation:<\/p>\n

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@JoeDiffieOnline<\/a> was one of the nicest stars on the planet. The REAL deal. I\u2019m incredibly sorry for his family. Thanks for the great memories Joe, miss you. @opry<\/a> family member. #pickupman<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Chris Janson (@janson_chris) March 29, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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We’ve lost a friend, @JoeDiffieOnline<\/a> to this horrible virus. Wishing his family and all those who knew and loved Joe the very best in strength and peace of mind. Let that “jukebox” play him off to rest in peace.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Clint Black (@Clint_Black) March 29, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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The soundtrack of every bonfire, parking lot, tailgate, jukebox, and cassette player back in high school. We\u2019ll miss you, Joe Diffie. A legend gone way too soon. Country music won\u2019t be the same without you Rest In Peace. Sending all of my love to his family & loved ones. pic.twitter.com\/tNYvITyXqh<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jessi Alexander (@JessiLAlexander) March 29, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Pickup Man, John Deere Green, Prop Me Up Beside The Jukebox, 3rd Rock From The Sun, So Help Me Girl, Bigger Than The Beatles, Ships That Don\u2019t Come In\u2026.and so many others.@JoeDiffieOnline<\/a> thank you for coloring my 90s in a beautiful shade of John Deere Green.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Kelleigh Bannen (@kelleighbannen) March 29, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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I\u2019m devastated by the loss of my friend @JoeDiffieOnline<\/a>. I can\u2019t find adequate words. But the records he made, that voice, the twinkle in his eye, and our memories cannot be taken away by this disease.
Please celebrate his music today everyone, go listen again to his records. pic.twitter.com\/OYiyPTbLCy<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Brad Paisley (@BradPaisley) March 29, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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So sad to hear of the passing of @JoeDiffieOnline<\/a> To his family, friends, road crew, band, etc, Thoughts and prayers being sent your way. Thanks for inspiring guys like me to follow in your footsteps Joe. RIP Pickup Man.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Justin Moore (@JustinColeMoore) March 29, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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I\u2019m heartbroken and in shock just like all of you over this awful news. @JoeDiffieOnline<\/a> possessed one of the most incredible pure country voices on the planet, and he was always so much fun to be around. My prayers are with his family at this sad time. Rest In Peace ol\u2019 pal. pic.twitter.com\/BOgd5CTf0v<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Steve Wariner (@stevewariner) March 29, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Here\u2019s to you Pickup Man. You inspired an entire generation of country singers and accepted us all with kindness, gratitude and buckets of talent. #joediffie<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Granger Smith (@GrangerSmith) March 29, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Joe Diffie \u2013 Ships That Don’t Come In (Official Video) https:\/\/t.co\/2UyemawGXr<\/a> via @YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Brandy Clark (@TheBrandyClark) March 29, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Oh my God. One of the all-time GREAT vocalists. Joe Diffie was my friend. RIP, buddy. @JoeDiffieOnline<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/snWhL5fcLo<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Trace Adkins (@TraceAdkins) March 29, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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2020\u2026 damn. RIP Pickup Man. So sad. We lost Joe Diffie<\/p>\n

\u2014 Cole Swindell (@coleswindell) March 29, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Just got word that Joe Diffie has passed away.
Sincere condolences to his family
It\u2019s such a shock and such a loss for Country Music
Rest In Peace Joe<\/p>\n

\u2014 Charlie Daniels (@CharlieDaniels) March 29, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Rest In Peace Joe Diffie! You were one of the most iconic and distinct voices on country radio. You will be missed by so many. pic.twitter.com\/gRRpLxhSWD<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Eli Young Band (@EliYoungBand) March 29, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Man RIP Joe Diffie. A staple for so much about what I love in country music. This shit is real y\u2019all. Please stay home and stay safe.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Travis Denning (@Travis_Denning) March 29, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Just found out the very sad news about my buddy #JoeDiffie<\/a> passing away from complications of COVID-19.<\/p>\n

This is so heartbreaking, I just don\u2019t even know what to say. GOD BLESS his family and loved ones. A sad, sad day for country music. Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com\/ausMDxzd8F<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 John Michael Montgomery (@JM2Squared) March 29, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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I\u2019m so sad to learn that Joe Diffie has passed away due to complications from the Coronavirus. Joe was a good friend and touring partner with me in the 90\u2019s. We had a lot of great times together, both onstage and\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/qtDXX4oXao<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Travis Tritt (@Travistritt) March 29, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Joe Diffie man\u2026. Our love for mullets made me feel connected to you in a special way. Rest easy brother<\/p>\n

\u2014 morgan wallen (@MorganWallen) March 29, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Man, this hits hard.
One of Country music\u2019s greatest singers and songwriters, Joe Diffie passed today.
Growing up, we played his Honkytonk Attitude cassette until it fell apart.
Had the chance to meet and write a couple songs with Joe and am thankful for his legacy.
RIP Joe. pic.twitter.com\/MDzJ3kVzbZ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 BRANDON RAY (@BrandonRayMusic) March 29, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Joe Diffie, man. Thanks for all the absolute bangers that made me love country music as a kid. RIP Pickup Man.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Adam Hambrick (@adamhambrick) March 29, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Oh no \u2026 Joe Diffie has passed away \u2026. This is a tough one\u2026 #RIPJoeDiffie<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/uZYt27CZtK<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 The Oak Ridge Boys (@oakridgeboys) March 29, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

In 2013, Jason Aldean released a tribute to Diffie with his \u201c1994,\u201d written by Thomas Rhett, Luke Laird, and Barry Dean. At the time, Diffie had told CMT.com<\/a> it was an honor. \u201cIt\u2019s kind of flattering, yet uncomfortable at the same time. Talk about unexpected, you know? Someone told me that Thomas Rhett had co-written a song that mentioned me. And I thought, \u2019I wonder what he said about me in there?\u2019 Because we\u2019ve all heard songs in the past that mention Haggard or Jones, so I thought it might be something like that,\u201d Diffie had said. \u201cWhen I heard it, I was stunned. I was like. \u2019You gotta be kidding me.\u2019 It\u2019s pretty flattering they went that far with it. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s one thing to hear a song title or your name mentioned, but when it started into the \u2019Joe. Joe. Joe Diffie\u2019 part, that\u2019s cool right there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Embedded from www.youtube.com<\/a>.