The recent death of Grand Ole Opry member Joe Diffie on March 29 from complications of COVID-19 has sparked an outpouring of reactions from the country music community. Here are some of the reactions from social media as well as other public/news statements:
Just got word that Joe Diffie has passed away.
Sincere condolences to his family
It’s such a shock and such a loss for Country Music
Rest In Peace Joe— Charlie Daniels (@CharlieDaniels) March 29, 2020
“Just got word that Joe Diffie has passed away. Sincere condolences to his family. It’s such a shock and such a loss for Country Music. Rest in Peace, Joe.” Charlie Daniels
“Joe Diffie was the ‘pickup man’ — always had a smile and a story, to cure and encourage. It was my fortunate blessing to come along the same time JD did, in music —so many great memories, and so many times he ‘propped me up.’ The trailer that Bud Hunter hauled all across the country on our tour for years was the one we got from Joe — it had 71 on it, because that was Joe’s golf score, so Bud left it there. I guess he was always with us and always will be! Mary and I send love and prayers to Tara and the family, in this unbearably sad moment, as country music is left with a huge void. Rest easy my friend, shoot 71 every day — til we sing together again. I love you brother.” Randy Travis
“I was saddened to hear that my friend & fellow Grand Ole Opry member Joe Diffie passed away today. Joe was a great singer, songwriter, & entertainer that left his mark in Country Music. His clear voice and unique singing style made him immediately recognizable.” – Ricky Skaggs pic.twitter.com/WKpoTZ3EAI
— Ricky Skaggs (@RickySkaggs) March 29, 2020
“I was saddened to hear that my friend and fellow Grand Ole Opry member Joe Diffie passed away today. Joe was a great singer, songwriter, and entertainer that left his mark in Country Music. His clear voice and unique singing style made him immediately recognizable. We will all certainly miss him.” Ricky Skaggs
“We’re all shocked and saddened to hear the news of my friend Joe Diffie’s passing. Joe and I toured for a year together along with Travis Tritt. Everyday he would come by my bus about noon and we would go to lunch together. He was a warm-hearted, good-natured, fun-loving man with an extraordinary voice. I will miss him.” Lee Roy Parnell
So tragic to hear that another great legends voice has gone silent. He was and will remain one of Country music’s great vocalist. It’s truly a sad day for our industry. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Tara and their family.
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— TG Sheppard (@TGSheppardmusic) March 29, 2020
“So tragic to hear that another great legend’s voice has gone silent. He was and will remain one of country music’s great vocalists. It’s truly a sad day for our industry. Joe please tell our friends Kenny Rogers and Jan Howard we love them and to send down a prayer for all of us during this difficult time on earth. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Tara and their family.” T.G. Sheppard
“I am in total shock hearing about our dear Joe! He is among everyone’s favorite singers. I was blessed to write a few big ones for Joe. ‘A Night To Remember’ and he one he took a big chance on ‘Tougher Than Nails.’ Nashville will never be the same without Joe Diffie.” Max T. Barnes
I am deeply saddened at the news of Joe Diffie’s death. He and I were label mates on SONY Epic Records for many years… I am honored & humbled, to have known him. May God bless and comfort Joe’s family and welcome him into Eternity. We’ll miss you, Brother. -Collin pic.twitter.com/9FvDNOW4IF
— Collin Raye (@CollinRaye) March 29, 2020
“I am deeply saddened at the news of Joe Diffie’s death. He and I were labelmates on Sony Epic Records for many years. We worked together a lot over the years. I can honestly say that Joe was one of the truly good guys in our business. A real gentleman, and obviously, one of the greatest Country Music singers who ever lived. His records, ‘Home’ and ‘Ships That Don’t Come In’ are among my favorite records of all time. I am honored, and humbled, to have known him. May God Bless and comfort Joe’s family and welcome him into Eternity. We’ll miss you, Brother.” Collin Raye
“Rest in peace, Joe Diffie. Country music‘s huge loss of my friend, a great singer and songwriter. May God Bless his family and friends.” Jerry Lee Lewis
“Joe Diffie. A great friend. A great man. A great singer. A GREAT loss.” Larry Gatlin of the Gatlin Brothers
“Joe Diffie’s music is in heavy rotation in the soundtrack of my life. He was one of the first major artists I ever opened for and I will never forget how gracious he was to me and my band. Much love, thoughts and prayers for his family during this time.” Paul Bogart
“One of the best artists ’90s Country ever served up. I worked fairs all over the country with Joe. It’s sort of like losing a classmate. Recently he sang a song with me, Lorrie Morgan and Darryl Worley, ‘Summer Wine.’ It was a perfect performance. He never hit a bad note and was just a regular guy. We all loved him. RIP, Joe Diffie.” Pam Tillis
“I’m so sorry to hear about Joe Diffie’s passing. We always met with a smile and we’ll see each other again with a smile.” Doug Gray of the Marshall Tucker Band
“I am in total shock and disbelief at the passing of my friend, tourmate and Country legend, Joe Diffie. My heart is broken and I’m praying for his family and for our country as we deal with this horrible pandemic. You will be missed, Joe. Rest in Peace.” Aaron Tippin
“I keep saying almost every night on stage Joe Diffie is the best Country voice in Country Music today. Gonna miss Joe. God bless him. Love you brother.” Sammy Kershaw
“I knew this was bound to hit close to home. Today it did. I just heard the news of Joe Diffie’s passing. I am sick in my spirit because I can’t bear the thought of not hearing that voice for a while. He was a dear friend and he understood me and my convictions. Most of all, he accepted me for who I am and I felt the same about him. There’s no filling his shoes and he will be missed by many. I loved him like a brother, and I’m thankful that I know where he is. My brother, I look forward to seeing your sweet face again. Please pray for the family and loved ones devastated by this terrible loss.” Darryl Worley
“Oklahoma lost a favorite son and the country music world lost an incredible voice yesterday. Joe Diffie and his music were the soundtrack to so many good times, it’s hard to believe he’s gone. He was a real neotraditionalist and his influence is still heard in new artists today. Thanks for the music, Joe.” James Robert Webb
“Joe Diffie, he was a singer’s singer. I have been a fan since his first single, ‘Home,’ hit radio. Condolences to the family. He will be missed in our hearts as well.” Marty Raybon of Shenandoah
“So sad to hear the news of Joe Diffie’s passing today. He and I were both born on the same day, December 28, 1958. We would always talk about that when we were around each other. Rest in peace, my brother. You will be missed.” Mike McGuire of Shenandoah
“I’m so sad to hear of the passing of a brother in music, Joe Diffie. What a voice! We have worked around each other for decades. Really one of the good guys. I’m so shocked. Thoughts for his family, his team and friends from myself and the entire Restless Heartfamily!” Larry Stewart, Restless Heart
“First we lose the legendary Jan Howard, and now we’ve lost Joe Diffie. It’s a heartbreaking time for Nashville and Country Music fans worldwide. Restless Heart started out in the business around the same time as Joe, and our paths crossed many times over the years. Joe blended humor and music better than anybody, and he always went out of his way to be kind and supportive. Sending our love and prayers to Joe’s family and friends.” Dave Innis of Restless Heart
“I don’t really know if people realize how great a singer Joe Diffie was. We were buddies before we ever had our record deals. He had a great sense humor. He proved that to me when he recorded a funny tune I wrote called ‘Good Brown Gravy’ and invited me to sing on the record with him. Joe Diffie set the standard for our Country sound back in the 90’s. He was just a regular Joe, as he would put it, but he also will go down in history as one of the greats, I do believe.” Billy Dean
“Joe was a simple man with a very kind heart. His aptitude and soulful command of a Country song was unparalleled. The memories of sharing the stage with him are indelible. We all love you Joe, and our heart breaks for you and your loved ones.” Henry Paul of BlackHawk/The Outlaws
“His album, Average Joe, was not a made up record company marketing idea. Joe was common as dirt and he never changed. He always loved it when he and the Kentucky Headhunters got to play together, he always said we made the day fun for him. Here’s to a real Country guy who could sing with the best of them. Peace, Joe.” Richard Young of the Kentucky Headhunters