[sound bites]

Country Music Fest:
Joe Diffie headlines the Kure Beach event

By: Tiffanie Gabrielse

In an industry where only a few years of commercial success are considered a major accomplishment, country musician Joe Diffie has been alive and kicking for over a decade in a puzzling world that’s experienced by only a handful of true country-music artists. Born December 28, 1958, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and raised in Duncan, Oklahoma, Diffie worked in a foundry while at first performing in local nightclubs.

n 1990 his debut single, ‘Home,’ noted as being “sensitive and traditional,” pronounced Diffie himself an artisan in the country-music industry. Since, Diffie’s songs have been recorded by Holly Dunn, Tim McGraw, Tracy Lawrence, Conway Twitty, Doug Stone and Jo Dee Messina. Though some cynics may label his music as “novelty hits,” there is no arguing that Diffie undoubtedly filled his first decade with an amazing 13 Top Ten chart hits, five of which went all the way to Number One.

Perhaps one of his most notable tunes is the commercial hit “Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox.” It is a comical rendition about living beyond death. It’s distinctly beautiful, distinctly Southern and distinctly Diffie. Perhaps it’s safe to assume that it’s the best description of Diffie’s attitude toward life. How else could we explain his continuation within one of the hardest industries today?

Adding to his hits is also his continuous involvement with his fans and community. Diffie frequently blogs and creates videos, like “Joe’s Basement,” on his MySpace page (www.myspace.com/joediffie).

Aside from providing entertainment and comfort in country music, the musician also works with First Step Foundation. As a writer with physical disabilities myself, I took special interest in him if not only from that fact alone. First Steps is a school in Nashville, Tennessee, that gives kids with disabilities their first steps into life.

After listening to his music, Diffie may be one of the last, great, original country musicians that hasn’t been spun through the “American Idol” machine and spit out into the pop ether. With that said, his music has been noted to achieve a purpose—to sustain memories through a musical scrapbook.

Upon re-discovering “Just a Regular Joe,” I recalled with clarity first hearing that tune as my father built our home’s back porch in my small hometown of Douglas, Massachusetts when I was just under 10 years old. This ability to bring back fleeting moments in our life is a rarity to have with any artist. I certainly can’t recall any special moment upon first hearing Shania Twain’s “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!”

Others will have a chance to stroll down memory lane at the Joe Diffie concert taking place this weekend at the NC Country Music Festival held at Ft. Fisher in Kure Beach on the 21st. Diffie performs at 8pm; however, the music begins at 2pm with Dixie Driver; Holland Marie and Johnston County Line perform at 4pm; and Dakota Rain takes the stage at 6pm. Tickets are $17-$20, children’s tickets are $5. Log onto www.northcarolinacountrymusicfestival.com for more information.

“Put a stiff drink in your hand” and get ready for a guaranteed evening filled with nostalgia.