If there’s one thing we know about Hardy, you never know what he’s going to do next! From emotional country ballads to screaming rock-n-roll, this Big Loud records heavy hitter can do it all. His latest project is a celebration of the legacy and beloved catalog of GRAMMY and CMA Award-winning country icon Joe Diffie. Both a lifestyle brand and a countrified mixtape, HIXTAPE: Vol. 3: DIFFTAPE is the third installment of the HIXTAPE franchise pioneered by Hardy.
The anticipated project was released in conjunction with the Diffie estate on the fourth anniversary of his passing. Across 17 reimaginings of Diffie classics, the album features never-before-heard recordings captured in 2006, and one previously unreleased original (“Life Had Plans For Me”) featuring Diffie’s son, Parker. Additional members of Diffie’s beloved family contributed backing vocals on the set’s lively rendition of “Prop Me Up Beside The Jukebox (If I Die),” as part of the Difftones – a one-track-only supergroup comprised of the Diffie’s and gang vocals from a variety of featured artists on the project.
“I’m honored that we get to be a small part of the legacy of Joe Diffie with DIFFTAPE,” HARDY shares. “The thing I’ve always admired about Joe’s catalog is the quality of the songs. He had an unbelievable ear for hits, and I love that we got this cast together to celebrate them.”
“As someone who had the profound privilege of performing alongside my father, it fills my heart with immense joy to witness his enduring legacy continued with the same passion and fervor that he embodied,” Diffie’s son Parker adds. “The release of HIXTAPE: Vol. 3: DIFFTAPE is an opportunity to not only celebrate the past but also to embrace the future with reverence and enthusiasm.
The song ‘Life Had Plans For Me’ holds a special place in my heart, as it symbolizes the culmination of a journey filled with memories, love, and music,” he continues. “To have the chance to perform alongside my father one last time is an indescribable and deeply meaningful experience. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to HARDY, Big Loud, the HIXTAPE crew, and everyone who played a pivotal role in making this project a reality. Your unwavering support and dedication have made this moment truly special. Together, we are not only honoring the past but also creating a powerful narrative about the enduring spirit of music and love.
- “John Deere Green (Joe Diffie, Morgan Wallen, HARDY)”
- “Pickup Man (Joe Diffie, Post Malone)”
- “Ships That Don’t Come In (Joe Diffie, Toby Keith, Luke Combs)”
- “Third Rock From The Sun (Joe Diffie, Blake Shelton, HARDY, Brooks & Dunn)”
- “Prop Me Up Beside The Jukebox (If I Die) (Joe Diffie, Tracy Lawrence, Lainey Wilson, The Difftones)”
- “Bigger Than The Beatles (Joe Diffie, Jon Pardi, Old Dominion)”
- “Honky Tonk Attitude (Joe Diffie, Luke Bryan, Randy Houser)”
- “Is It Cold In Here (Joe Diffie, Reba McEntire, Jake Worthington)”
- “Texas Size Heartache (Joe Diffie, Clint Black, Larry Fleet)”
- “Home (Joe Diffie, Darius Rucker, Hailey Whitters)”
- “C-O-U-N-T-R-Y (Joe Diffie, Aaron Tippin, ERNEST)”
- “So Help Me Girl (Joe Diffie, Mark Wills, Nate Smith)”
- “New Way (To Light Up An Old Flame) (Joe Diffie, Randall King, Sammy Kershaw)”
- “If The Devil Danced In Empty Pockets (Joe Diffie, Jack Ingram, Koe Wetzel)”
- “A Night To Remember (Joe Diffie, Lauren Watkins, Kameron Marlowe)”
- “In Another World (Joe Diffie, Chris Young)”
- “Life Had Plans For Me (Joe Diffie, HARDY, Parker Diffie)”
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