I think it’s safe to say that just about everyone who follows country music knows who Joey + Rory are by now, what with all the coverage they have been getting lately, sadly due to Joey’s terminal illness. I find it very sad and disheartening that it took Joey’s terminal diagnosis for country fans and outlets to take notice of the husband/wife duo and their music. Why in the world did they not take the time to get to know them before these tragic events? Their music is certainly worth recognition, yet they seemed to have fallen through the cracks up until recently. But at least we can rejoice in the fact that, FINALLY, people are discovering Joey + Rory’s music.
In case you happen to live under a rock, here’s a rundown of their story. For 13 years, Joey and Rory have lived, loved, and made music together. Rory came to Nashville as a songwriter, while Joey was an aspiring singer. God and fate intervened and the two met, fell in love, and eventually formed a duo. They first hit the country music scene as a duo in 2008 with their single “Cheater, Cheater” (if you haven’t heard it, trust me you’ll want to), after being contestants on the now-defunct Duets singing competition show. Since then, the duo has released 7 studio records in total, counting their latest record, Hymns.
The year 2014 saw many challenges for the couple/duo; their daughter, Indiana, was born with Down syndrome, and then, not long after Indy’s birth, Joey was diagnosed with cervical cancer. The couple faced those challenges with faith and grace. In early 2015, Joey announced that the cancer had returned and spread to her colon. She underwent treatments for the cancer, but alas, the treatments couldn’t stop the cancer. In October, Rory revealed that Joey’s cancer was terminal and that they were stopping all treatment. Since then, the country music community has been watching Rory’s blog, This Life I Live, for updates on Joey’s condition and their journey through this tragic turn of fate. On November 9th, Rory announced that Joey had entered hospice care, and that she would be spending what time she has left in her hometown in Indiana, surrounded by family and friends. Two goals Joey set for herself were that she wanted to make it to Christmas (2015) and, if at all possible, to her little girl’s 2nd birthday in February (2016). She achieved both those goals before her death in March of this year.
Through all of this, Joey + Rory have been both inspirational in their courage and their love, and unwavering in their Christian faith. They are truly the embodiment of what a Christian walk/life should look like. They have shown an incredible amount of trust and faith in God and His plan. Their devout faith is both admirable and enviable. I find it very fitting that their last record is one of hymns. Joey wanted to record this album for fans and for the ones she will leave behind once she goes home to the Lord. This album is filled with Joey’s favorite hymns, plus the extremely moving “When I’m Gone”, originally featured on the duo’s 2012 record, His and Hers.
I find that these hymns take on even more meaning than they did before, now, as I listen to Joey’s warm soprano singing them, knowing the back-story that comes with the recording of this record. One thing I really love about this record is the fact that the production is stripped back, quiet, allowing the focus to be placed on Joey’s lead vocals and the beautiful words/lyrics. The production is pure country music at its best, featuring the acoustic guitar, banjo, steel guitar, dobro, fiddle, mandolin, and piano. The album opens with the beautiful “Take My Hand, Precious Lord”, a song that, sung by Joey, brings me to tears. As I listen to the words I’m struck with how close to home they hit for Joey and her current situation, it makes them all the more real and resonating. The hymn opens with Joey singing a cappella, “Precious Lord, take my hand/ lead me on, help me stand/ I am tired, I am weak, I am worn/ through the storm, through the night/ lead me on to the light/ take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home”, words that seem to have been written personally for Joey.
The fiddle and mandolin shine on “I Surrender All”, as Joey sings about surrendering it all to God. Fiddles take front and center, while the steel guitar accompanies, on “He Touched Me”, written by William Gaither about the saving and healing power of God. “Softly and Tenderly” happens to be one of my favorite hymns, and after listening to Joey + Rory’s version included on this record, I can now say that it is officially my favorite version. Simple and sweet, Joey’s voice is full of light on this beautiful hymn. The stunningly beautiful “It Is Well With My Soul” is brought to new heights with a fiddle and acoustic guitar-led production and the warmth of Joey’s vocals. You can hear the belief, the devotion, and love as she sings that it is well with her soul.
Joey continues to shine on traditional favorites “The Old Rugged Cross”, “I’ll Fly Away”, and “Jesus Paid It All”. Joey + Rory gives a fresh take on the favorite hymn “Jesus Loves Me”; it’s one that you’ve most likely learned as a child. The song opens with a choir of children singing the first verse, with Joey coming in on the second, and the chorus finding the children joining Joey. Cey Johnson, Jack Johnson, Zach West, Ilan Zidkyahu, Lia Zidkyahu, Dalton Johnson, Laney Shimshack, Marley Shimshack, Rose Druckenmiller, Remy Druckenmiller, Emma Forton, Abigail Forton, Hannah Forton, Jonathan Forton, Grace Forton, Bethany Forton, Benjamin Forton, Sarah Zobrak, and Alyssa Zobrak make up the children’s choir and are absolutely adorable. Joey’s voice takes on a sweet innocence as she sings about knowing that Jesus loves her because the Bible tells her so.
“I Need Thee Every Hour” opens with a recording of Joey singing the first few lines to baby Indiana, then moves to the studio for the rest of the song. It’s a sweet, beautiful touch to a well known hymn. “How Great Thou Art” is my favorite hymn, second only to “Amazing Grace”. Both hymns have personal meaning to me. Joey doesn’t disappoint with her version on the classic hymn, stunning and beautiful as usual. I could seriously listen to her sing hymns all day every day for the rest of my life.
The album closes out with the extremely moving, soul touching “When I’m Gone”. The song was originally featured on the duo’s 2012 record, His and Hers, and was eventually released as a single. The song recently made an appearance on the iTunes charts when fans went on a campaign to get it to #1 to show solidarity and support for Joey, showing her that she will definitely not be forgotten. The song ultimately went to #1 on the iTunes chart, due to the beautiful devotion of the fans. “When I’m Gone” is a devastatingly beautiful song that finds the narrator (Joey) trying to help her loved ones through their grief and loss, telling them that life will go on after she passes on, that they’ll be fine and that she’ll be okay too. The song was stunning to begin with, when it was first released, but now, with everything that the duo is currently facing, it holds even more meaning and emotion. I dare you to listen to this without crying. I know I certainly can’t, I’m not ashamed to admit that I bawl my eyes out every time I listen to it. This song is a perfect example of the moment when words, a melody, and a voice come together in sweet, beautiful, and perfect harmony to create perfection. “When I’m Gone” has a place in music history, no doubt about it.
In a sentence: Hymns (That Are Important To Us) is perfection. It is truly bittersweet; on one hand, the album is an excellent, wonderful record, but on the other hand, you can’t help but be saddened by the fact that we will never have another album from this talented duo. You could almost accept that fact if they had just decided to stop making music, but because it happens that they have no choice in the matter, it just makes it so hard to accept. But that is the decision God has handed down, and we must accept and honor that decision, the way Joey + Rory have, and hopefully we can do it with a quarter of the grace, strength, and faith that they have.
This is an absolute MUST own album. Buy it, stream it, burn it, do whatever you have to do to hear this record. It is a treasure.
I continue to send my prayers to Joey, Rory, and their loved ones. May God be with them always, may he continue to give them the strength they need and above all, peace. I hope Joey truly knows how loved she is, and that she’ll never ever be forgotten.
Originally posted here.
