Joey Feek & Rory Feek’s Hymns Album Tops Country & Christian Charts, Providing Hope & Strength Amid Cancer
Country duo Joey Feek and Rory Feek have succeeded in maintaining their attitude of gratitude amid her battle with terminal cancer. Every day has become special for the loving couple, from celebrating little Indiana’s birthday when their daughter turned 2 last week to soaring to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Country music chart with their latest album, Hymns That Are Important to Us, reported ET.
“When the label called to give us the news I immediately took the phone in to Joey,” recalled Rory. “This recording was ‘hers’ from the beginning. This is one that she has always wanted to make, and she’s worked so hard to make it happen, in spite of the difficult circumstances she is facing. As I congratulated her, she responded through tears, ‘No, Honey, this is God’s record…’ ”
Rory and Joey started recording the album last year, following her first surgery. Released on February 12, Hymns also has soared to the top of Billboard’s Contemporary Christian Album and Christian Video charts. What the music contained in the album represents is strength, revealed the frail singer.
“A lot has taken place in a year’s time, but through it all, these songs have given me such strength. They’ve given me such hope, and they give me something to look forward to.”
As for her husband, Feek recalled a Hawaii vacation that took place just last March, reflecting on how quickly life can change.
“Last February, right around this time, we took a family trip together to Hawaii celebrate my upcoming birthday,” posted Rory on social media. “What a difference a year makes. The only thing that’s changed is everything. And nothing.”
Amid the events that has brought them joy amid Joey’s struggle with cancer, the Feek duo was nominated for a Grammy award, reported Taste Of Country.
And even though Joey and Rory did not win, they expressed gratitude for their recognition. Fans had hoped that the duo would triumph and earn the Grammy award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. But Feek revealed how they felt by sharing a picture of the Grammy nomination medal with the message that the honor was “more than enough.”
Because Joey is in such frail health from Stage 4 cancer, she could not travel, and urged Feek to go solo. Rory refused, and instead, his daughters from a previous marriage, Heidi and Hopie, as well as their manager, Aaron Carnahan, represented them at the Grammy ceremony.
“Joey tried to talk me into going with them … many, many times,” Rory shared. “She even had a Southwest ticket purchased for me that I canceled. I can’t leave her. I won’t. I have done many foolish things and made lots of mistakes in my life, but this isn’t going to be one of them.”
Rather than leave Joey, Feek sat with her to cheer for all of those nominated in the category, including Little Big Town and Blake Shelton.
Feek also emphasized his desire for his daughters to have a memorable, magical experience.
“Seeing and even meeting some of their musical heroes and having a wonderful time I hope. And raising a glass and toasting to their mom and dad and this extraordinary, ordinary life we are all living.”
When Joey chose to halt her cancer treatments and start hospice care in October, she was told she had mere months left in her left. But the singer has stayed strong, achieving her goals of viewing the Grammy ceremony, enjoying her daughter’s birthday, and cherishing the success of what is thought to be their last album as a country duo.
[Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images]
