Joe Diffie bringing country to Ribs Burnoff

Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival has announced that country artist Joe Diffie will be performing on the Sheetz Stage on Thursday, July 31, at the National Ribs Burnoff at Stark County Fairgrounds. The concert is presented in cooperation with WQMX 94.9 FM and will begin approximately 8 p.m.

 

Joe Logan Diffie was born and raised in Oklahoma, where he was immersed in music form a young age, making his first public performance in his aunt’s country band when he was only four.  As an adult, he found work in the Nashville-area Gibson guitar plant and soon established himself as one of Music Row’s top demo singers.  He made the transition from demo singer to major label recording artist with his first hit,  “Home”, which was the first debut country music single to go to number one and the first country music single to top the charts of all major music business magazines simultaneously.  Ever since, he has remained on a steady course, staying true to his Oklahoma roots and delivering hit after hit totaling 12 number ones, 20 top tens, and 2 platinum and 2 gold albums.  When you attend a Joe Diffie concert, you’re not waiting for him to sing his hit – you’re waiting for him to sing your hit.  Whether it’s “Ships That Don’t Come In”, “Pickup Man”, “John Deere Green”, or “If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets)”, Diffie’s music always makes you remember where you were the first time you heard it.  Other hits include “If You Want Me To”, “New Way to Light Up An Old Flame”, “Third Rock From The Sun”, “Prop Me Up Beside The Jukebox”, “Bigger Than The Beatles”, and “Tougher Than Nails.”

As a songwriter, his success is equally impressive, with over 112 songs written, co-written, and/or arrangements to his credit.  In addition to the numerous hits he kept for himself, Diffie’s songs have been recorded by Holly Dunn, Tim McGraw, Tracy Lawrence, Conway Twitty, Doug Stone, and most recently, Jo Dee Messina.  He’s won a Grammy, CMA Awards, and been honored as “Humanitarian of the Year” by the Country Music Broadcasters in recognition of his work as founder of the First Step concert and golf tournament, an annual event which raises money for disabled children, in honor of his son Tyler.  Diffie is a member of the Grand Ole Opry, recorded with George Jones, and toured the country numerous times.

To accommodate even more fans at the concerts, chairs or seating of any kind will not be permitted anywhere on the track area; it will be free, standing room only. People wishing to have a reserved seat in the grandstands can purchase tickets for $8 each. Tickets will be available for walk-in purchase at all Stark and Summit County Sheetz locations (24-hour availability), and at the Chamber office at 222 Market Avenue North from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays, beginning Thursday, June 26; phone orders will be accepted at the Chamber beginning Friday, June 27, at 330.458.2088.

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