Feek hasn't made or written music ever since the death of his wife and singing partner Joey in 2016.
55-year-old country singer Rory Feek lost his wife Joey five years ago to cervical cancer. He found himself all alone, caring for his 6-year-old daughter, Indiana, who has Down Syndrome. All alone at the age of 50 and a single dad, Feek took the responsibility of being a full-time dad.
For five years Feek didn't make any music because Joey+Rory meant something to him and the fans, and without Joey, Rory is definitely incomplete. Talking about how he didn't write any music as well, Feek told American Songwriter in March 2020, “That just hasn’t happened. I haven’t done any songwriting in 5 years. I have been in the studio recording a little bit lately but I’m only finding other people’s songs. I have only recorded two songs so far. There just hasn’t been a return for me to songwriting.”
However, the day has arrived for which we had been waiting for so long. Feek is finally releasing a solo album in June 2021. Announcing the release on his blog, the singer and songwriter wrote that he has been spending a lot of time in the studio, making music. But he added, “To make a record without Joey isn’t something that I was sure I’d ever do. The fact is, I’ve never made my own record."
"I’ve only been part of the albums that she and I made through the years. But it’s been more than 5 years since we recorded the Hymns album, and I guess it was finally just time. So, this past fall, I went into the studio with producers Ben Isaacs and Matt Johnson and some of Nashville’s greatest musicians and recorded 14 new songs. Fourteen stories that are about to become part of mine. And to say that I’m excited about it, is an understatement.”
It is believed that several of the country singer's friends would be featuring in the new album. According to Taste of Country, the one half of Joey+Rory introduced his new music with his version of Bob Dylan's popular rock song, The Times They Are a-Changin, as he believes that the lyrics of the song stand relevant even after 60 years of its release. Feek can be seen sporting his signature overalls and a red beard.
The singer now lives away from the glitz and glam of Hollywood on a farm, located south of Nashville with his daughter. For so long, the singer has been using his blog, This Life I Live Blog, to document his life on the farm with Indiana. Before that, it was about him and Joey, and the story of his wife's struggle with cancer. The detailed blog was then turned into a docu-series of the same name as well.
Even though it's been five years since the passing of Joey, Feek still believes that she's still with him, guiding him through his days. Back in 2020, during an interview with People, the singer said, “I still feel like I’m 100 percent married and in a full, regular marriage. The only difference is that she’s just not around, but it’s a funny thing to feel so complete and not have her here. She was such an amazing gift and filled my life so much that she continues to fill it.”
A religious man, Feek said that even though he "can't really imagine" dating again, “I’m open to anything God wants to have happen. Absolutely. Do I see it on the horizon? No, but I want what He wants.” Feek also added that he does not see a "reason not to" wear his wedding ring since Joey is "still wearing hers."
References:
https://americansongwriter.com/rory-feek-says-he-may-return-to-songwriting-but-not-quite-yet/
https://www.roryfeek.com/post/times-are-a-changin
https://tasteofcountry.com/rory-feek-gentle-man-album-bob-dylan-cover/
https://people.com/country/rory-feek-feels-married-4-years-after-wife-joey-death/
