Shelton took a break from hosting duties to deliver a tribute to the late Opry member.

Blake Shelton; Photo by: Jason Kempin/Getty Images, Joe Diffie; Photo Provided
Blake Shelton honored the late Joe Diffie with a rowdy performance of “Pickup Man” during NBC’s Opry 100: A Live Celebration on Wednesday evening.
Shelton, who also served as host of the show, took to the Grand Ole Opry stage to deliver a performance of the 1994 chart-topping hit as fellow Opry members like Carrie Underwood, Terri Clark, and the Oak Ridge Boys watched from the pews.
Rising stars like Priscilla Block and Chase Matthew also attended the show and could be seen singing along from the audience.

“You can set my truck on fire, roll it down a hill/ But I still wouldn’t trade it for a Coupe DeVille/ I got an eight-foot bed that never has to be made/ You know if it weren’t for trucks, we wouldn’t have tailgates/ I met all my wives in traffic jams/ There’s just something women like about a Pickup Man,” Shelton sang.
A photo of Joe Diffie appeared in the background, honoring his life and musical legacy.
At the end of the song, Shelton shouted, “God bless Joe Diffie” as the entire Opry crowd rose to its feet in honor of the ‘90s country icon.
Joe Diffie passed away on March 29, 2020, at age 61, following a short battle with coronavirus. A longtime member of the Grand Ole Opry, Diffie was best known for hits like “John Deere Green,” “Pickup Man,” and “Third Rock from the Sun.” His music continues to inspire rising country artists, and his name is frequently referenced in songs by today’s stars, including Chris Young’s “Raised On Country” and Jason Aldean’s “1994.”