HOW TO GO
Who: Joe Diffie with Clark Manson and Kaitlyn Schmit
Where: BMI Speedway, 791 E. Main St., Versailles
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, May 21. Doors open at 5 p.m.
Cost: $25 in advance, $30 at the door
More info: 937-526-9547 or www.bmikarts.com
Artist info: www.joediffie.com
Joe Diffie feels like a new man. The country singer’s spinal stenosis made it difficult to perform comfortably and also interfered with his family life. However, the Oklahoma native is spry and eager to work after surgery in March.
Diffie has traveled countless miles since his debut album, “A Thousand Winding Roads,” was released in 1990 and he continues to tour heavily. He performs with special guest Clark Manson and opener Kaitlyn Schmit at BMI Speedway in Versailles on Saturday, May 21.
Diffie recently submitted to a short Q&A.
Q: How are you doing since your back surgery?
A: "It's just incredible. I had stenosis in one of my vertebrae. They went in there, roto-rooted it and I'm good to go. It had been bothering me for a couple of years. It wasn't just affecting my business, my music, but it was affecting my life with my kids. I couldn't get out and walk around a zoo. I couldn't stand up for more than about five minutes without my feet going completely numb. I was in excruciating pain but I'm good to go now. I did two shows like 10 days later. It has been a real blessing we got it fixed up."
Q: You still tour a lot. How do shake things up musically to keep you and the band interested?
A: "We try to add one or two songs here and there to keep us on our toes. Once in a while I'll drag something out and play Stump the Band. They all look at me with these wide eyes like, 'What? We haven't played that in three years.' I've been fortunate to have so many hits so I have to figure out which ones to include and which ones to leave out. I have to include 'John Deere Green,' 'Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox' and 'Pickup Man.' It's a weird problem to have but it's a good problem."
Q: Your last album, "All in the Same Boat," was released in 2013. Anything in the works?
A: "We're always working on stuff. I know it's very possible to do things on your own but it helps to have a team behind you, a record label or whatever. We're still pursuing some of that. I'm always looking at stuff to find the right songs but you have to weigh everything. Do you make an album, an EP or just do a single? I don't know but we'll get something out pretty soon. We are working on that."
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