Academy Of Country Music Awards Honors Joey Feek

Angela Talley

Joey Feek passed away one month ago after fighting a courageous cancer battle. The Academy of Country Music took time out of tonight’s telecast to honor the late-singer with a brief tribute. Darius Rucker and Martina McBride honored Joey Feek by asking everyone in attendance to give Joey one final round of applause. 

Joey and Rory’s daughter, Hopie, and Joey’s best friend, Julie Zamboldi, were in attendance for tonight’s award show. 

“God bless them, and God bless you, Joey,” said Martina McBride.

Joey and her husband Rory rose to fame after competing in CMT’s Can You Duet? in 2008. The duo ultimately finished third and signed a recording contract with Sugar Hill/Vanguard Records. Their first single, “Cheater, Cheater” landed on the Billboard Top 40 chart and helped earn the couple the Academy of Country Music’s Top New Vocal Duo or Group Award in 2010.

Joey+Rory received another ACM Award nomination this year for Vocal Duo of the Year. It seemed only fitting that the ACM honor Joey+Rory tonight after the enormous impact the couple has had on the industry over the last year. Through Rory’s blog, This Life I Live, he documented the couple’s very personal cancer journey, sharing photos, videos, and touching moments following his wife’s diagnosis.