The coronavirus hit the Nashville music industry hard this weekend, taking the life of country singer Joe Diffie and sending Americana singer-songwriter John Prine into critical care.It escalated what might be viewed as typical loss-of-life cycles: Jan Howard, 91, died March 28, the day after her 47th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Her death wasn't related to the virus.The news about Diffie and Prine was particularly jarring, with announcements coming two hours apart.
Diffie's infection was revealed March 27, and his passing was noted in a short, one-paragraph statement at 2:30 p.m. CT on March 29; then Prine's family revealed at 4:30 p.m.