About the Singing Diehls

Joe "Broadway" Diehl
Joe started singing and writing gospel music in early 1978 giving him nearly thirty years experience in the ministry. Joe began singing gospel music with his brother Dave in a local gospel group. He also sang with The Spirit of Praise and the Christianaires, writing many of their songs. In 1998 Joe and his wife Kaye started the Diehls singing ministry as a duet. The duet later grew into a trio and eventually a quartet. An evangelist once told Joe that he sings with a lot of juice. A former drummer for many years may be part of the reason that Joe has a hard time standing still while singing. His rich southern singing style coupled with God’s holy anointing is a recipe for some exciting, spirit filled gospel music. Learn more about this outstanding and anointed song writer and hear some of his powerful songs by clicking onto the music link.

Kaye "Smiley" Diehl
Kaye is married to Joe and has been the thread and spiritual inspiration in holding this ministry together. Kaye is not only a beautiful singer but has a glowing smile that warms the hearts of everyone that she comes into contact with. One night immediately following a service an elderly gentleman overheard Kaye talking about how she went flat on a word in one of the songs. Kaye already knew that the error probably didn’t get passed Mr. Diehl’s attention. The gentleman approached Kaye and said, honey you don’t even have to sing a word, just stand there and smile. Joe often remarks that Kaye’s smile and blue ribbon, award winning pies alone will bring in the bookings. Without the name Kaye, there would be no Diehls ministry.

Dennis "Mr. Jolly" Jolly
Dennis Jolly  came to the Diehls as a bass singer but Dennis is much more than that. He has been singing solo for quite some time and is well known through out the gospel music community, not only in Ohio but far reaching into other states as a gospel music concert promoter and organizer. Dennis has also been a mentor and consultant for many of the gospel groups that sing in the ministry today, including the Singing Diehls. Often in services when Joe introduces Dennis, he mentions that out of the whole group that Dennis is the only one that lives on Easy Street, and that’s because his house is really on Easy Street in Manchester Ohio. If the group had to pay Dennis Jolly his worth to the singing ministry in dollars and cents, they wouldn’t be able to pay him. Boy are we blessed that he is doing it for the Lord!

Lula "Little Vestal" Varney
Lula Varney started singing at an early age with her Mom and Dad and siblings known as the Varneys. She mentions how one of her brothers drilled and drilled her not only to sing lead but to sing different harmonies when needed. So when she hooked up with the Diehls, she was able to come through with Joe’s vocal request and plays a big part in what Kaye calls the big Joe Diehl endings. Lula has been with the Diehls now for about five years. Her unique style and vocal range helps give the Diehls the southern gospel sound that they are known for. Joe calls her little Vestal after Vestal Goodman, one of Joe’s all time favorite female singers. No one puts more heart into a song than Lula. It’s hard not to put southern gospel and Lula Varney in the same sentence.