Singer and Songwriter. Grammy award winning Country music star who rose to popularity in the 1990s with songs like “John Deere Green” and “Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox.” Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, his family moved frequently. He worked a series of blue-collar jobs after high school and played with a gospel group, Higher Purpose, and the bluegrass band, Special Edition. After his first marriage ended in divorce, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue a career in Country music. He went to work for the Gibson Guitar Corporation and began recording demos. He was signed to Epic Records in 1990 and released his debut album, “A Thousand Winding Roads.” His first single, “Home,” reached number one on the ”Billboard Hot Country Songs” charts, the “Radio & Records” charts, and the “Gavin Report." He was the first Country artist to have a single debut at number one on all three charts. His third album, “Honky Tonk Attitude” (1993), achieved platinum status and featured two of his most popular songs, “John Deere Green” and “Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox.” His second consecutive platinum album, “Third Rock from the Sun,” was released in 1994. His recording career peaked by the early 2000s and he performed primarily in smaller venues. From 1990 to 2019 when he released his last album, “Joe, Joe, Joe Diffie,” he released twelve albums and had five number one singles. In addition to writing his own music, he wrote songs that were recorded by Tim McGraw, Tracy Lawrence, Jo Dee Messina, Mary Chapin Carpenter, George Jones, and Marty Stuart. He was named the Cash Box Male Vocalist of the Year in 1990, won the Academy of Country Music Awards Vocal Event of the Year for “I Don’t Need Your Rockin’ Chair” in 1993, and received a Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for “Same Old Train” with Marty Stuart in 1999. He was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1993 and the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in 2002. He died at the age of 61 from complications of the COVID-19 virus.

Bio by: Apollymi

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