America's adored bluegrass-country couple, Joey and Rory Feek, were nominated for Vocal Duo of the Year on Feb. 1 for the 51st Annual Country Music (ACM) Awards before Joey died from terminal cervical cancer March 4. Although the Feeks did not win ACM's Duo category Sunday evening (April 3), Joey was honored one last time with a commemorative photo, loud applause, a "God Bless You" wish and a standing ovation in a special moment earlier in the night.
Rory's daughter, Hopie and her friend, attended the ACM event, which was broadcast live on CBS from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
This was Joey and Rory's sixth career ACM nomination with their nod for Vocal Duo of the Year. The duo previously won New Vocal Duo of the Year in 2009.
The husband and wife duo were nominated this year alongside Brothers Osborne, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line and Maddie & Tae. Florida Georgia Line won this year's category.
Read previous coverage from The Gospel Herald regarding the Feek's ACM nomination: Country Music Awards 2016: 'Country Music Jesus' Eric Church Leads Nominations, Joey and Rory Feek Nominated For Vocal Duo of the Year
Joey and Rory's ACM nod followed another major nomination for the duo at the Grammys. During the Grammy nomination announcements in December, Joey and Rory found themselves up for Best Country Duo/Group Performance category with their song "If I Needed You."
Joey and Rory first attracted attention from country audiences in 2008 on CMT's "Can You Duet" series in which they came in third.
The Feeks' songs remain an authentic representation of who this duo was while they were making music together. Their lyrics reflect their deep faith, feisty attitude and creativity in equal measure - from sentimental ballads to upbeat beach party-style tunes. Some of the songs tell compelling stories that aren't even their own, cites Taste of Country.
Among the Feeks' Top Five Songs were "When I'm Gone," "Cheater, Cheater," "Josephine," "Play the Song," and "This Song's For You" with Ft. Zac Brown Band.
After Joey took her last breath in her hometown of Alexandria, Ind., on March 4, Rory and daughter Indiana headed home to the family's farmhouse in Pottsville, Tenn. Four days later, Joey was laid to rest in an emotional funeral service, and the tributes continued at a packed memorial at her former high school on March 13.
Hosted by Dierks Bentley and reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan, the ACM Awards were produced for television by Dick Clark productions, and were broadcast live from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. EST/delayed PST on the CBS Television Network.
