THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 2, 1995 TAG: 9511020045
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E5 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Music review
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
JOE DIFFIE wonders just who all those voices are filling the airwaves.
``Is this country music business overcrowded or what?'' he asked. ``It's inundated to the point of saturation.
``I'm in the business and still can't tell who some of the guys are. I don't know how the fans figure it out.''
His fans know the Diffie-rence and have helped the Oklahoman turn his albums, ``Honky Tonk Attitude'' and ``Third Rock From the Sun,'' into precious platinum.
And there are a multitude of No. 1 records by Diffie, including ``Home,'' ``If the Devil Danced,'' ``New Way to Light Up an Old Flame,'' ``Ships That Don't Come In'' and his personal favorite, ``Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox.''
Two more No. 1 hits showed up during the last year - ``Third Rock From the Sun'' and ``So Help Me Girl.''
They'll all be trotted out Saturday at Rockwell Hall, a 3,000-seat auditorium at Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base.
Diffie's publicity blurb modestly refers to him as ``the leading balladeer in country music,'' but his up-tempo, verging-on-novelty songs could easily be referred to as his stock-in-trade.
In a phone interview from Milwaukwee, Diffie called them ``tongue-in-cheek country songs.''
His latest is a clever self-penned Christmas offering about ``Leroy the Redneck Reindeer.''
It is the only novelty in his seasonal album, ``Mr. Christmas,'' which otherwise is not particularly country but still beautiful, with lush strings and a children's choir.
``I'm proud of it. I have a different voice because you can't country-up some of the standards,'' Diffie said. ``It should sell well. It almost shipped out gold.''
His next album's title describes the Diffie attitude: ``Life's So Funny.''
The first single is ``Bigger Than the Beatles,'' which he describes as ``a love story - a singer and a waitress. They have eyes for each other.''
Diffie usually gets to choose the singles, because he co-produces.
``I enjoy producing,'' he said. ``It's a democratic process.'' He admits, though, that in the studio, he is still the king.
Diffie talks about other kings - patriarchs of country like George Jones, Waylon Jennings, Ronnie Milsap.
``It's sad. These guys put out good music, but they're over 40 and get tossed away,'' he said. ``They're the people I listened to when I started.''
Next up, maybe, is acting.
``I'd like to try just to see if I'm worth a dang,'' Diffie said. ``I've had several offers.''
Meanwhile, he said, ``I'm unbelievably happy.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
FRANK OCKENFELS/Epic
Joe Diffee, who says, ``I'm unbelievably happy,'' would like to try
acting.
by CNB