Husband and wife country music duo, Joey + Rory, took the stage back in 2011 for a powerful cover of Merle Haggard’s “If We Make It Through December.” Fast forward five years and the performance has taken on a completely new meaning.
Joey + Rory paid tribute to Haggard’s classic tune via Music City Roots live from the Loveless Cafe. Rory Feek played the acoustic guitar while gazing lovingly at his wife as she poured her heart and soul into the song. Joey’s performance was full of life, radiating love and warmth throughout the crowd.
Joey Feek passed away earlier this year after losing her life to cervical cancer, leaving behind husband Rory and their beautiful baby girl Indiana. Rory recently received news that he and Joey were nominated for “Best Roots Gospel Album” at the 2017 Grammy Awards.
“I can’t begin to tell you how much it means to me and how much it would mean to Joey if she were here,” Rory said according to NBC News. “She was so proud of getting to make this record and living long enough to see it be released, and I’m so proud to see the hearts it’s touched and the heights that it’s taken my wife and her sweet voice — even after she’s gone.”
“If We Make It Through December” was released by Haggard in 1973 off Merle Haggard’s Christmas Present. The song earned the top spot on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles as well as No.28 on the all genre Hot 100.
You can watch their performance in the video below.