WATCH: Jon Pardi Performs ‘Pickup Man’ In Tribute To Joe Diffie At 2020 CMA Awards

Country music singer Jon Pardi dedicated his performance at the 2020 Country Music awards to the late singer Joe Diffie. Pardi sang one of Diffie’s hit songs while his widow Tara Diffie sat in the audience.

In celebration of the life of the country music star, Pardi chose to perform his rendition of Diffie’s “Pickup Man” that had the audience, most notably the singer’s widow and fellow musician Ashley McBryde, bursting with emotion as they clapped along.

Diffie’s recent death at the age of 61 due to COVID-19 in March of this year came as a shock to most of the country music community, given the reassurances he gave fans on social media shortly before his death was announced. “I am under the care of medical professionals and currently receiving treatment after testing positive for coronavirus,” he wrote on Instagram. “We want to remind the public and all my fans to be vigilant, cautious and careful during this pandemic.”

The singer soon after lost his battle with the virus as, just two days later, his wife Tara posted a screenshot of his death announcement on his Instagram with the caption, “It’s with a sad heart that i have to post this. Tara.”

While still mourning Diffie’s death, Pardi chose to celebrate new beginnings by marrying his fiance, Summer Duncan, last weekend in a ceremony in Tennessee despite initial delays and cancellations due to the pandemic.