HARDY Pays Homage To A Country Music Legend On The Latest HIXTAPE
As a big HARDY fan, I always look forward to his HIXTAPES to see what he has pieced together and who he pairs on songs to create a new favorite song, or in this case, reimagine a classic. HIXTAPE Volume 3 is the DIFFTAPE edition, paying homage to the late Joe Diffie. The collection features 17 tracks, including a few fan favorites like “Bigger Than The Beatles”, “Pickup Man”, “C-O-U-N-T-R-Y”, and of course “John Deere Green” among many other chart toppers. One cover stands out among the rest, Ships That Don’t Come In, featuring the original vocals of Joe Diffie, along with Luke Combs and Toby Keith. It is an incredible treat to hear a new release with the vocals of Keith, who recently passed away after a battle with cancer. No one would know at the time, but this song would come to be the last recording of Toby Keith.
One legend, tipping his hat to another - it couldn’t be more perfect than that. I can only imagine how deeply honored HARDY and Luke Combs are to have put this together and share this song with Toby Keith. This song truly stopped me in my tracks. Not only is it an incredible song on its own and Luke Combs’ vocals are gorgeous as always, but including Toby on this patriotic classic was the perfect pairing. Throughout his career, Keith toured overseas to play countless shows for our military, and was always outspoken about military and veteran support. I like to think that this is exactly what he would have wanted as his last recording, and it is an honor to have another addition to my favorite Toby Keith songs to ruminate on as we grieve the loss of a legend.
So here’s to all the kids and beyond who grew up on the music of these legends - this one’s for you, and God Bless Joe Diffie and Toby Keith.
