In 2016, the music world grieved the loss of Joey Feek, one-half of the cherished country and bluegrass duo Joey+Rory, after her valiant fight against cervical cancer. Rory Feek, her husband and musical partner, faced the profound loss of a spouse, friend, mother to their daughter Indy, and his closest musical collaborator.
Despite the immense void left by Joey’s passing, Rory found strength to face each day with a renewed sense of hope and resilience, channeling his emotions into music once again. This journey led to the creation of “Gentle Man,” his solo album released in June 2021. This album, his first endeavor without Joey, includes the poignant track “One Angel.” The song, written by Rory and Joey’s friend Sandy Emory Lawrence, serves as a touching tribute to Joey, celebrating her courageous battle with cancer, and is enhanced by Rory’s soft and heartfelt vocal delivery.
Rory Feek surprised fans by revealing a new version of “One Angel,” sharing that he wasn’t the sole voice on the track this time. The additional vocals were provided by the iconic Dolly Parton, adding a layer of harmony and even leading a verse. Rory described Parton’s involvement as something beyond his wildest dreams, a tribute he and Joey could never have envisioned.
The collaboration holds deep significance for Rory, as Parton was a musical idol for Joey, inspiring her dream to move to Nashville and pursue a career in country music, a path she bravely embarked on but, tragically, without ever meeting Parton in person.