Diffie's world

The chart-topping star will be the featured act at this year's Chasco Country Concert.

By BARBARA L. FREDRICKSEN, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published March 15, 2002

Country music superstar Joe Diffie will be headliner at the annual Chasco Country Concert in Sims Park on Saturday.

Diffie's appearance keeps up a long streak of top entertainment for the only paid concert in the Chasco music lineup. Past performers have included Lonestar, Diamond Rio, Riccochet, Blackhawk, Kevin Sharpe and Michael Peterson.

Diffie has had 13 top 10 songs, five of which went all the way to No. 1 since his debut single in 1990,Home. He is expected to do songs from his latest album, In Another World. That includes heart-tugging ballads like the title song, humorous rock numbers like My Give A D-- Busted and country songs such asIf I Lost Her.

Besides singing, Diffie also does humanitarian work on behalf of Nashville's First Steps, a group dedicated to loving, teaching and nurturing Down's Syndrome children. His "Country Steps for First Steps" concert raised more than a half-million dollars for the cause.

Opening for Diffie will be the 2-year-old group Rascal Flatts, the female group 3 of Hearts and local favorite Wiley Fox.

Flatts' self-titled album came out in June 2000; four of the singles from that album have made the top ten country single list, including I'm Movin' On, While You Loved Me, This Everyday Love and Prayin' for Daylight. The group was named "Top New Vocal Group" at the Academy of Country Music's 2001 awards.

Today's contemporary Christian music concert features Out of the Grey and 39 Stripes.

Other Chasco events:

FRIDAY

4-8 p.m.: Cotee River Lions Club fish fry, $6.50

5-11 p.m.: Chasco Carnival

6-11 p.m.: Family Night Contemporary Christian Music

SATURDAY

7 a.m.: Registration for Chasco 5K-8K and 1 Mile Fun Run and Walk; 5K In-line Skate and Bicycle Tour, Green Key Park

7:45 a.m.: Races start

8-11 a.m.: Cotee River Lions Club breakfast, $2.50

10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Chaspex Stamp Show, New Port Richey Recreation Center; Chasco Arts and Crafts Fiesta, Orange Lake

11 a.m.-9 p.m.: Cotee River Lions Club chicken barbecue

11 a.m.-11 p.m.: Chasco Carnival

1 p.m.: CHASCO BOAT PARADE, Millers Bayou to Sims Park

5:45 p.m.: Gates open for Country Concert

At a glance

WHAT: Chasco Country Concert

WHERE: Band shell, Sims Park

WHEN: Gates open 5:45 p.m., concert at 7 p.m.

TICKETS: $20 general admission, $30 Golden Square. Call (727) 842-7651

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