Published: May 27, 2008 04:25 pm      

Country singers plan show in Danville

Artists will focus on their music, past hits

DANVILLE — Too many country-music shows are becoming like rock shows — lots of flash and high ticket prices.

But for artists Mark Chesnutt and Joe Diffie, it’s all about the music.

“We’re not bringing in a multimillion dollar rock-and-roll set,” Chesnutt said in a telephone interview, referring to his own show. “We’re here for the traditional country fans.”

While other costs are soaring, organizers of the Chesnutt/Diffie show wanted to give country-music fans a break.

“We went out to find a good act that people in east central Illinois would enjoy and could afford,” said Andy Roberts, assistant program director and afternoon deejay at WIXY-Radio in Champaign.

Some country artists are charging $60 and higher for a show, he said. But the organizers’ break-even cost is $19.95, which they passed along to the fans.

Organizers chose the David S. Palmer Arena because it’s a smaller venue, and thus, more intimate, which makes the show fun, he said. The arena seats about 3,000 and there are no bad seats.

The last country show at the arena was Trace Adkins in February 2006.

“There’s a lot of excitement for this show,” Roberts said. “It’s going to be one of those shows where you remember the songs.”

Chesnutt and Diffie are friends who have toured together in the past. But, they’re not touring together right now, and will perform separately during the arena show.

Both are traditional singers who came to the forefront in the early 1990s.

Chesnutt’s hits include “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” “It’s a Little Too Late,” “It Sure is Monday,” “Bubba Shot the Jukebox,” “Old Flames Have New Names” and “Goin’ Through the Big D.”

Diffie is known for top hits such as “Pickup Man,” “Third Rock from the Sun,” “John Deere Green,” “Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox (if I Die)” and “Bigger than the Beatles.”

Chesnutt’s story

Chesnutt’s new CD, “Rollin’ with the Flow,” will be released June 24.

“I’m real proud of it,” he said. “It probably will be the best one because we took our time with it.”

Other albums were made in a hurry, but this one was started two years ago, he said, adding, “We had time to get it right.”

The CD contains musical narratives from personal experiences, classic country ballads and toe-tapping melodies.

Chesnutt, who lives in Texas, plays nearly 100 dates a year. He’s had 14 No. 1 singles and 23 Top 10 singles.

At the Danville show, he’ll perform as many of his hits as he can, as well as some new numbers, he said.

Looking back on his music over the years, Chesnutt said, “I don’t think it’s changed — it’s gotten better. I know what I’m doing more than I did 18 years ago.”

Although he’s made videos in the past — including his first single, “Too Cold at Home” — Chesnutt doesn’t have plans to make more.

“I’m kind of glad. I’m not a big fan of videos. I think it’s just eye candy,” he said. “I don’t think the songs need video. I’m old school.”

Sometimes, songs are written based on whether they’d make a good video, he said.

Some of his other hits include “Brother Jukebox,” “Blame It on Texas,” “Almost Goodbye,” “I Just Wanted You to Know,” and “Gonna Get a Life.”

Diffie’s story

Diffie is working on a new project — rerecording his greatest hits and updating songs.

“I’m taking great pains to make it as close to the original as possible,” he said in a telephone interview. The CD will include duets with Bo Bice and Marc Broussard.

The last album was “Tougher than Nails,” released in 2004.

Diffie writes many of his own songs, but has been so busy with his family life in Nashville — which includes a 4-year-old daughter — that he hasn’t had a lot of time lately to write.

Also, he said with a laugh, “The golf course just beckons me.”

His light-hearted songs are the ones people remember the most, but Diffie said he covers a variety of topics.

Having been in the business so long, he said, “I do what I want to do these days. I’m old enough and have been around enough.”

That freedom has allowed him to tackle another project. He contributed his voice to a new duet, “Long Gone Loner,” with Peter Dula, a Slovakian country singer who’s battling cancer for the second time.

Dula contacted Diffie through Diffie’s MySpace Web site and said it was his dream to record with Diffie.

Dula sent a track he had recorded with his band, the Rowers. Diffie added his voice to it and e-mailed it back to Dula in England.

The song now is No. 3 on the singles chart in the United Kingdom, Diffie said.

“I’m worldwide now, baby,” he said jokingly.

Diffie first topped the charts in 1990 with “Home.” He has had 12 No. 1 hits and 20 in the top 10.

Some of his other hits include “Ships That Don’t Come In” and “If the Devil Danced (in Empty Pockets).” He also has written for other artists, including Jo Dee Messina’s “My Give a Damn’s Busted.”

COMING UP

Country music artists Mark Chesnutt and Joe Diffie will perform at 8 p.m. June 6 at the David S. Palmer Arena. Tickets are $19.95, with all seats reserved.

Tickets are available at the arena in Danville and at WIXY studios at 2603 W. Bradley Ave., Champaign.

You also may charge tickets by calling 431-2424 or order online at http://www.palmerarena.com

ON THE WEB

-- Mark Chesnutt’s site is http://www.markchesnutt.com

-- Joe Diffie’s site is http://www.joediffie.com