Rory Feek has retired from music following the heartbreaking death of his wife Joey Feek.
The Joey + Rory singer lost her battle with cervical cancer at the age of 40 in March and the 51-year-old is struggling to come to terms with her absence.
Left raising their two-year-old daughter Indiana following Joey’s death, Rory has found it difficult to find the motivation to perform any music, and announced he has effectively retired.
“I don’t have any plans to play or sing,” he told People.com. “People ask me that everywhere I go: ‘Are you writing or singing or are you performing anywhere?’”
Rory, who was one half of their country duo, said he was “retired” from music now that Joey is no longer by his side.
“When I have something to say and when I feel like I would be okay with saying it without her, then I might play guitar or sing,” he explained. “But I don’t feel that way today.”
Rory has something to look forward to though; the release of a poignant documentary about the last years of Joey’s life. “To Joey, With Love” was filmed over two-and-a-half years, and follows the birth of their daughter Indiana, who has Down’s syndrome, right through to Joey’s cancer battle.
“I would like to think that life can still go on and still be beautiful in spite of the fact that Joey is not with us, and it is,” he said of the film. “It’s hard, but it’s still beautiful.”
“To Joey, With Love” will be shown in select cinemas across the U.S. including Governor’s Square 10 and Clarksville Stadium 16 on Tuesday September 20.