Joey Martin Feek (Alexandria’s hometown daughter) and Rory Lee Feek were an American country and bluegrass duo named Joey + Rory. The husband and wife singer-songwriters created quite the name for themselves in the music industry in the first decade of the 21st century. Joey was the duo’s lead vocalist, while Rory sung background vocals and plays guitar.
The duo was the third-place finalist on CMT’s competition Can You Duet in 2008. That same year, Joey + Rory signed to Sugar Hill/Vanguard Records, releasing their debut album The Life of a Song in late October. This album’s lead-off single, “Cheater, Cheater”, was a Top 40 hit on the Billboard country charts. They were the 2010 Academy of Country Music’s “Top New Vocal Duo” winner and the “Vocal Duo” winner of the 2011 Inspirational Country Music Awards.
Rory wrote four #1 hits (including Blake Shelton’s hit “Some Beach”) and has had dozens of his songs recorded by the biggest artists in country music. Known for his trademark overalls, homespun storytelling, sense-of-humor and brilliant lyrical ability, Rory joined his wife in 2008 as a recording duo. After a decade of chart-topping songs for others, they began writing hit songs for themselves (and many others) and taking the world by storm with their love story and unique brand of ‘new classic’ country music. Though she inherited her singing talent from her mama, Joey’s stunning voice was often compared to her heroes Emmylou Harris & Dolly Parton, for its beauty, warmth, and sincerity.
Joey passed away in March of 2016 from a battle with cervical cancer.
