History of Rory Feek in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 21, 2024

Rory Lee Feek is a renowned American country music figure, recognized both as a singer-songwriter and music entrepreneur. His songwriting has benefited prominent artists like Clay Walker and Blake Shelton. Feek gained significant recognition alongside his wife, Joey Feek, as part of the duo Joey + Rory, finishing third on CMT's 'Can You Duet'. He furthered his impact on the country music scene by founding Giantslayer Records, a platform dedicated to supporting emerging independent artists.

April 25, 1965: Rory Lee Feek is born

On April 25, 1965, Rory Lee Feek, an American country music singer and songwriter, was born.

1965: Rory Lee Feek's birth year

Rory Lee Feek's birth year is 1965, as stated in his blog, ThisLifeILive.com.

August 3, 1985: Rory Feek marries Tamara Gilmer

Rory Feek married Tamara Gilmer on August 3, 1985.

1986: Heidi Feek is born

Heidi Feek, Rory Feek's daughter from his previous marriage, was born in 1986.

1988: Hopie Feek is born

Hopie Feek, Rory Feek's daughter from his previous marriage, was born in 1988.

March 25, 1992: Rory Feek and Tamara Gilmer divorce

Rory Feek and Tamara Gilmer divorced on March 25, 1992.

1995: Rory Feek moves to Nashville

Encouraged by Nashville entertainment attorney Rod Phelps, Rory Feek made a pivotal move to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1995 to further his songwriting career, ultimately leading to a publishing contract.

1999: Collin Raye's "Someone You Used to Know" is released

One of Rory Feek's early successes as a songwriter came in 1999 with the release of Collin Raye's "Someone You Used to Know," a song co-written by Feek that became a Top Five country hit.

2002: Rory Feek marries Joey

Rory Feek married Joey in 2002, marking the beginning of their musical partnership as the duo Joey + Rory.

2003: Tracy Byrd's "The Truth About Men" is released

Rory Feek continued to write for various artists in the early 2000s, including Tracy Byrd, whose 2003 single "The Truth About Men" was co-written by Feek.

2004: Blake Shelton's "Some Beach" reaches Number One

In a significant career milestone, Rory Feek achieved his first Number One hit as a songwriter in 2004 when Blake Shelton's "Some Beach," co-written with Paul Overstreet, topped the country charts.

2008: Joey + Rory is formed

Rory Feek and his wife, Joey, formed the country music duo Joey + Rory in 2008, marking a new chapter in their musical careers.

February 17, 2014: Indiana Boone Feek is born

Indiana Boone Feek, Rory and Joey Feek's daughter, was born with Down syndrome on February 17, 2014.

2014: Trisha Yearwood records "Met Him in a Motel Room"

Trisha Yearwood had previously recorded "Met Him in a Motel Room," a song co-written by Feek and Jamie Teachenor, for her 2014 album, "PrizeFighter: Hit After Hit."

March 4, 2016: Joey Feek dies from cancer

After a battle with metastatic cervical cancer, Joey Feek passed away on March 4, 2016.

2016: "Gentle Man" is the first album since Joey's passing

"Gentle Man" holds special significance as it is Rory's first album recorded since Joey's passing in 2016.

2016: "To Joey, With Love" is released

Rory Feek released "To Joey, With Love," a full-length documentary dedicated to his late wife, in 2016.

2017: "This Life I Live: One Man's Extraordinary, Ordinary Life and the Woman Who Changed It Forever" is released

In 2017, Rory Feek's memoir, "This Life I Live: One Man's Extraordinary, Ordinary Life and the Woman Who Changed It Forever," was released and became a bestseller.

2019: "Finding Josephine" is released

In 2019, Rory Feek released the feature-length film "Finding Josephine," further demonstrating his skills as a filmmaker.

March 2020: "This Life I Live" premieres on RFD-TV

Rory Feek's docu-series, "This Life I Live," which he wrote, filmed, and edited, premiered on RFD-TV in March 2020, showcasing his life and work.

2020: Rory Feek hosts sustainable farming discussions

In 2020, Rory Feek, in collaboration with Joel Salatin, hosted a series of discussions centered around sustainable farming practices.

June 18, 2021: "Gentle Man" is released

"Gentle Man," Rory Feek's first solo album, was released on June 18, 2021, marking his return to recording after the loss of his wife, Joey.

2021: "Songs, Stories & Sustainability with Joel Salatin and Rory Feek"

In 2021, Rory Feek, again in collaboration with Joel Salatin, hosted "Songs, Stories & Sustainability with Joel Salatin and Rory Feek" at the Music Ranch Montana, further highlighting his interest in sustainable living.