An American Music Star Dies of Complications From the Wuhan Coronavirus

Jimi Westbrook, from left, Kimberly Schlapman, Karen Fairchild and Phillip Sweet of Little Big Town perform at the Grand Ole Opry on Tuesday, June 7, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Laura Roberts/Invision/AP)

A celebrated singer has died of complications from the coronavirus.

He’s definitely a celebrity to me.

And if you grew up around country music, he will be to you, too.

Country singer Joe Diffie bounded onto the national music scene in the 1990’s, with smashes such as the great “Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox (If I Die).”

Like the aforementioned chart-topper, some of the Oklahoma native’s hits offered a quirky bit of humor. Cases in point: “Bigger Than the Beatles” and his alien invasion ode, 1994’s “Third Rock From the Sun.”

And none was more comedic than 1995’s new holiday standard, “Leroy the Redneck Reindeer.”

But Joe knew how to get serious, too — his ballad, “Ships That Don’t Come In,” offered the following:

Here’s to all the soldiers who have ever died in vain
The insane locked up in them cells
The homeless down on Main
To those who stand on empty shores and spit against the wind
And those who wait forever for ships that don’t come in

Joe’s ship came in Sunday, March 29th, 2020.

On Friday, the 61-year-old with 13 albums and more than 20 Top 10 hits under his belt confirmed he’d tested positive for COVID-19 and was receiving treatment:

“I am under the care of medical professionals and currently receiving treatment. My family and I are asking for privacy at this time. We want to remind the public and all my fans to be vigilant, cautious and careful during this pandemic.”

Just two days later, the star’s publicist, Scott Adkins, announced he’d passed away in Nashville.

Joe leaves an indelible mark on American music and its fans.

During the 90’s, amid an high-rolling country wave, he wrote hits for artists such as Tim McGraw, Jo Dee Messina, and Conway Twitty.

1993 saw his first Grammy nomination — for a duet with Mary Chapin Carpenter, “Not Too Much to Ask.

For the song “Same Old Train,” along with Merle Haggard, Randy Travis, Clint Black, Patty Loveless, and others, Diffie took home the 1998 Grammy for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals.

Through his songs, Joe delivered a personality so big that it was enshrined in country star Jason Aldean’s 2013 single “1994,” the chorus of which consisted of the chant, “Joe, Joe, Joe Diffie!”

CNN reports:

At the time, Diffie told CMT News that he was surprised that Aldean made him the focus of a song.

“It’s really an honor. It’s kind of flattering, yet uncomfortable at the same time,” he said. “Talk about unexpected, you know?”

“I was like, ‘You gotta be kidding me.’ It’s pretty flattering they went that far with it. It’s one thing to hear a song title or your name mentioned, but when it started into the ‘Joe, Joe, Joe Diffie’ part, that’s cool right there,” he said.

Joe was an inductee of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and a 25-year member of the Grand Ole Opry.

His last solo release was 2010’s The Bluegrass Album: Homecoming.

Fellow artist Travis Tritt, who toured with Diffie during both singers’ heyday, posted a remembrance of his lost country pal:

I just learned that @JoeDiffieOnline has passed away due to complications from the Coronavirus. Joe was a friend and touring partner with me in the 90’s. This comes as a huge shock to all of us in the country music community. Deepest condolences to Joe’s family, friends and fans.

— Travis Tritt (@Travistritt) March 29, 2020