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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZDIFFIE, Joe(b 28 Dec. '58, Tulsa OK) One of the big 'New Country' stars of the '90s, a dyed-in-the-wool country singer with a cutting rock edge. Started out in high school rock group Blitz, then joined gospel group Genesis II. Married and moved to Texas, then back to Oklahoma where he played weekend gigs with bluegrass band Special Edition and gospel group Higher Purpose. Moved to Nashville '86 and pursued songwriting; Hank Thompson cut 'Love On The Rocks', then Holly Dunn had no. 4 country hit with 'There Goes My Heart' '89. Signed to Epic '90 and hit no. 1 with debut 'Home'. Further hits: 'If The Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets)' '91, 'New Way (To Light Up An Old Flame)' '91, 'Ships That Don't Come In' '92, 'Prop Me Up Beside The Jukebox (If I Die)' '93, 'Third Rock From The Sun' '94, 'Bigger Than The Beatles' '96. Duet with Mary Chapin Carpenter 'Not Too Much To Ask' '92 nom. for a Grammy; gold albums with Regular Joe '92, Honky Tonk Attitude '93, Third Rock From The Sun '94; others incl. A Thousand Winding Roads '91, Life's So Funny '96, all on Epic. |