“Pickup Man”, a song written by Kerry Kurt Phillips and Howard Perdew, was recorded by Joe Diffie for the Epic label, along with the rest of the album, was recorded in March 1994, in Nashville, TN. In the recording session Joe was accompanied by: Billy Joe Walker, Jr. (guitar), Tim Mensy (guitar), Brent Mason (guitar), Paul Franklin (steel), Larry Paxton and Glenn Worf (bass), Lonnie Wilson (drums and percussion), Jon “JD” Dickson and Johnny Slate (cowbells), Stuart Duncan (fiddle), Walt Cunningham (strings, keyboards and sound effects), Terry McMillan (harmonica), Matt Rollings (piano), Craig Fletcher, Clay Keith, Larry Keith, Lee Bogan, Billy Dean, Johnny Slate and John Dickson (background vocals). With the production of Johnny Slate and Bob Montgomery, the song was released on October 17, 1994, and on December 17, 1994, it reached # 1 on the charts of US Hot Country Songs, for four consecutive weeks, from December 17, 1994, to January 7, 1995, and remained a total of 20 weeks on the charts. On the Canada Country Tracks charts, it reached # 9. It was the fourth number one in Joe Diffie’s career.
The song was included in Joe Diffie’s fourth studio album, Third Rock from the Sun (Epic 1994), the album was released on July 26, 1994, and on September 3 it reached number #6 on the US charts. Top Country Albums, remaining a total of 72 weeks on the charts. On the Canadian RPM Country Albums charts, it reached #9. The album was certified platinum in the USA and Canada.