Introduction
Rory Feek, the celebrated songwriter, author, and half of the Grammy-winning duo Joey+Rory, recently joined Huckabee to share his deeply personal journey since the passing of his wife, Joey, in 2016. Joined by his delightful daughter Indiana, Feek opened up about his new solo album, “Gentleman,” and the profound shift in his life’s purpose.
Feek, known for penning numerous number one hits, took a hiatus from music after Joey’s death. He shared that it took a couple of years for him to return to the stage, starting with performances at the concert hall on his farm, which had remained empty. “I enjoyed being part of a career, a music career with her so much, I didn’t think I wanted or needed anything else,” he admitted. However, creating “Gentleman” has been a fulfilling process, and Feek believes Joey “would really love it too.”
More than just a musician or writer, Feek identifies himself as a “storyteller,” and even more profoundly, a “story liver.” He recounted how his journey led him from simply writing songs about extraordinary lives to actively striving to live an extraordinary story himself alongside Joey. “My favorite part of my life is getting to be part of a story, not just telling them but living them,” he emphasized.
The new album, “Gentleman,” recorded just steps from the Huckabee studio, is a deeply personal project. Feek explained that the title track explores a value system a father passes on to his son, emphasizing the enduring importance of manners and guidance in a world that often seems to discard them. “Some things seem like they’re out of date and out of style, but they still matter,” he shared about the song’s message.