Joe Diffie
CATCHING UP WITH AN OLD FRIEND
by Lee Bogan
November, 2006
South Carolina boy Lee Bogan, currently guitarist for Dr. Hook featuring Ray Sawyer, played guitar with Joe Diffie for nearly eight years, co-writing Diffie's Top-Five "Honky Tonk Attitude" during the early 90’s. We thought it would be a cool thing to have Lee turn in an interview with his former boss, and catch up on Joe's life and music.
Joe it’s great to talk to ya, How are ya?
Thanks! Always great to hear from you as well. I'm doing pretty good, as far as I can tell!
We go back a ways so I know that you’re an avid football fan. If I remember correctly the Dallas Cowboys is your team. Any others?
Yes, I follow the Cowboys and now the Titans. Neither team is tearing it up this year, but I'm still a fan.
How’s your golf game coming along?
Not too bad, actually. I don't know why. In fact, I was in a "scramble" tournament the other day, and dang if my team didn't win.
Last time I was around your youngest daughter Kylie was just starting to crawl around. I’ll bet she’s growing like a weed.
Kylie is wonderful and is 2 1/2 now. She's running around all over the place and starting to put full sentences together. The other day I asked her to do something and she said, "No, Daddy. I'm too tired, you do it." I cracked up over that. Wonder where she heard that before?
Wasn’t she in a commercial or two?
She was supposed to be in a commercial for a home builder, but for some reason they cut her part out of it. She did well during the commercial shoot. We were a bit disappointed.
Your children are very talented. Anything in the works for Parker and Kara?
Thanks. I'm beginning to do some stuff with both of them. As soon as I get more free time, we're going to start concentrating on getting their music careers going. They both sing very well.
Diffie onstage with Lee Bogan.
I understand that you are re-cutting some of the hits. How’s that coming along?
I'm almost done with that part of it, thank goodness! I've been working on it for over a year now. I'm giving myself some slack though, cuz I've really cut enough songs for three projects. I just wanted to recut all my hit songs so I would have ownership. I think it's coming out pretty well. We'll see.
The obvious question here would be, anything in the works for new music?
Funny you should ask. I intend to add a couple of new songs to the greatest hits remakes and throw it all out there in a couple of different packages.
I think it’s cool that you and I wrote a NASCAR song together years ago that is being picked up by Hallmark. Could you elaborate on that a little? (shameless plug)
Yes, it's a new line of cards from Hallmark called "Say it with music" We fell into the "Say it with sports" category. The song is called "Runnin' Wide Open" and was originally on a compilation CD for NASCAR. I don't know how the folks at Hallmark found the song, but I'm glad they did. Now, if they would just send the check! (Laughs)
I think that you are one of the best if not the best vocalist in the industry, and I share this opinion with countless fans, up and coming artists, and even your peers.
That said, You have remained a pretty down to earth person. What advice can you give to young new artists that hope to someday reach the status that you have with that golden voice?
Well, it seems lately that it really doesn't matter how well you sing, as long as you're skinny. So, I would tell aspiring singers to get skinny and stay skinny. Sad, but kinda true. Actually, just do the music you love to do and hone your craft as much as you can, so when that opportunity comes knocking, you can take advantage of it.
Joe, Thanks so much for spending a little time with an old friend that still admires what you’ve done and what you do.
Thanks Lee. Always a pleasure! Much success!
Currently there are 0 comments. Leave one now!
