Joe Diffie was a 61-year-old American country music singer and songwriter known for his unique musical style that blended neotraditionalist country with a rock twist and heartfelt ballads.
He started his musical journey at the Gibson Guitar Corporation in 1986 and later signed with Epic Records, where he released his debut album, “A Thousand Winding Roads,” in 1990.
Throughout his career, Joe produced 13 studio albums, 38 singles, and six compilation albums, with five of his singles reaching the coveted #1 spot on the Billboard charts.
Joe Diffie also collaborated with various artists, including Holly Dunn, Mary Stuart, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Tim McGraw, and George Jones, co-writing several hit singles.
In 1998, he earned a Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for “Same Old Train” with Marty Stuart. Additionally, Cash Box named him the Male Vocalist of the Year in 1990.
Joe Diffie’s Net Worth
Joe Diffie’s net worth, estimated to be around $10 million as of 2023, primarily comes from his successful music career spanning three decades. Throughout his career, Joe earned money through album sales and tours. He also owned a residence in Franklin, Tennessee.
In addition to his musical endeavors, Diffie ventured into country music radio broadcasting, hosting a midday program for Tulsa radio station KXBL. This contribution to the industry earned him the Humanitarian Award from the Country Radio Broadcasters in 1997.
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How Did Joe Diffie Die?
Joe Diffie passed away on March 29, 2020, in Nashville at the age of 61. Just two days before his death, he revealed that he had tested positive for COVID-19.
While receiving medical care, Joe took the opportunity to urge his followers to stay careful and vigilant amid the ongoing pandemic.
On March 29, Joe’s wife, Tara, shared the news of his passing on the singer’s official Instagram account. The cause of his death was complications arising from COVID-19.
Joe Diffie’s Early Life
Joe Diffie was born on December 28, 1958, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as Joe Logan Diffie. Sadly, he passed away at the age of 61. Growing up in the family of Joe Riley Diffie and Flora Diffie, Joe discovered his passion for singing harmony at the young age of three.
His musical journey began at the age of 7 when he had his first performance singing “The Muffin Man.” The family later moved to San Antonio, Texas, where Joe finished his early studies.
After leaving college, Joe worked in the oil fields and drove a concrete-pumping truck before moving to Duncan to work in a foundry.
In his musical pursuits, Joe joined a gospel choir group called Higher Purpose and played for the bluegrass group Special Edition. His journey continued when he started working at the Gibson Guitar Corporation in 1986.
Joe Diffie’s Journey in Music
In the 1980s, Joe Diffie began his music career with a gospel group called Higher Purpose and later joined a bluegrass band called Special Edition.
He established a recording studio and toured with his bluegrass band, also sending demo recordings to publishers in Nashville. Unfortunately, due to financial reasons, he had to sell his recording studio in 1986 and began working at the Gibson Guitar Corporation.
In the mid-1989, Bob Montgomery, a prominent figure in the music industry, discovered Joe. Montgomery was the vice-president of A&R at Epic Records.
Debut Album
In early 1990, Joe Diffie signed with Epic Records and released his debut album, “A Thousand Winding Roads.” His first single, “Home,” made its mark on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
Second Album (“Regular Joe”)
In 1992, Joe released his second album, “Regular Joe,” which achieved gold certification and reached #22 on the US Country chart. He earned $500,000 from album sales.
Third Album (“Honky Tonk Attitude“)
In 1993, Joe released “Honky Tonk Attitude,” his third studio album, which was a commercial success, reaching #10 on the US Country chart and earning platinum certification. He made around $1,050,000 from album sales.
Fourth Album (“Third Rock from the Sun“)
His fourth album, “Third Rock from the Sun,” also received platinum certification from RIAA, and in 1994, he earned $1,100,000 from album sales.
Subsequent Albums
Joe continued to release albums, including “Life’s So Funny” (1995), “Mr Christmas” (1995), “Twice Upon a Time” (1997), “A Night to Remember” (1999), “In Another World” (2001), “Tougher Than Nails” (2004), “Homecoming: The Bluegrass Album” (2010), and “All in the Same Boat” (2013), each achieving various levels of success on the country music charts.
Singles
Joe Diffie produced several #1 singles on the Hot Country Songs charts, including “Home,” “If the Devil Danced,” “Third Rock from the Sun,” “Pickup Man,” and “Bigger Than the Beatles.” Tragically, Joe Diffie passed away in March 2020 due to complications from COVID-19.
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