Since Jason Aldean gave him a shout-out in his song “1994,” Joe Diffie has seen interest in his music grow. “I noticed the difference between age groups. I have more college-aged kids coming to more shows and more interest in my work. I’ve got to tip my hat to Jason,” Diffie said in an interview Tuesday afternoon. He said it’s been cool having so many high school and college kids know the words to his songs and singing along thanks to Aldean. Diffie said he’s been making music for a long time now, and is a bit older, but still appreciates getting “a little help from my friends” now and then. Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department will host the 17th annual free Country Music Concert Friday at the Glover Pavilion in Central Park. Diffie will headline the event, joined by special guest Josh Thompson. Thompson will open the show at 6:30 p.m., and Diffie will take the stage at 8 p.m. Diffie’s career has been built on chart toppers like “Pickup Man,” “Third Rock From the Sun” and “John Deere Green,” and 13 albums and more than 20 Top 10 singles. While writing his latest hit song, “Girl Ridin’ Shotgun,” Diffie decided to thank Aldean for a shot in the arm to his career by mentioning Aldean in the song. Diffie co-wrote the song with Phil O’Donnell and Derek Thrasher of The Jawga Boyz. Diffie has been writing songs with several new artists, including Thrasher. Thrasher, Diffie said, is a “hick hop” artist, “the redneck version of hip hop.” “With all due respect to hick hop artists, hick hop is not my favorite genre, but I listen to all kinds of genres of music ... It’s just an opportunity to do something different. I love to branch out. It’s why I listen to just a variety of things,” Diffie said. Filming the video for “Girl Ridin’ Shotgun” was a blast, he said, and something very different from what he’s done before in music videos. Even Diffie’s wife got to be in the video. With the success Diffie has started having again, his new record label, Bigger Picture Records, is interested in him doing a new album. Hopefully, he said, that will be released in the fall. “It’ll probably be more just me. I’ve already recorded a few duets you wouldn’t expect and we’ll probably release those eventually. But the album this fall will probably be just myself,” Diffie said. For Friday’s free show at Central Park, Diffie said the crowd can expect him to perform his hits along with some new songs. “Probably not bluegrass unless my drummer can learn to play the banjo pretty quick,” Diffie said. In 2010, Diffie released a bluegrass album titled “Homecoming.” The free concert is sponsored by Gold Level Sponsors Biomet and The Dr. Dane and Mary Louise Miller Foundation. Food vendors will be available in the park. No tickets are necessary. For more information, call 574-372-9554. For more information about Diffie or Thompson, visit their official websites at: www.joediffie.com www.joshthompsonofficial.com
