Blake Shelton took center stage at Opry 100: A Live Celebration to honor the late Joe Diffie with a high-energy tribute that had the crowd on their feet. Shelton, a longtime fan of Diffie’s music, delivered a rousing performance of one of the ’90s country legend’s biggest hits, bringing a wave of nostalgia and emotion to the legendary venue. As he belted out the lyrics, the audience joined in, proving Diffie’s influence is still alive and well. The performance was a standout moment of the night, cementing Shelton’s status as a keeper of country music’s rich legacy.

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.”

Over his career, Diffie released 13 albums and earned more than 20 Top 10 hits at country radio. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and remained a proud member of the Grand Ole Opry for over 25 years.

NBC’s Opry 100: A Live Celebration was a star-studded event in celebration of the Grand Ole Opry’s 100th anniversary. The broadcast honored the Opry’s century-long legacy in country music, featuring once-in-a-lifetime performances and emotional tributes from some of the biggest names in the genre.

The performance lineup included Alan Jackson, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Ashley McBryde, Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Carly Pearce, Carrie Underwood, Clint Black, Dierks Bentley, Garth Brooks, Jamey Johnson, Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs, Reba McEntire, Ricky Skaggs, Trace Adkins, Vince Gill, and many more.