Rory Feek shares mournful photo of Joey Feek's grave

LAS VEGAS — Much of the country music community is in Las Vegas gearing up for Sunday's 51st Academy of Country Music Awards and not too long ago, Joey+Rory would have been here, too. The couple is nominated for Vocal Duo of the Year — an award that was given Saturday to Florida Georgia Line. But this year, following Joey Feek's death to cancer in March, Rory chose to stay home with their 2-year-old daughter Indiana. Bob Romeo, CEO of the Academy of Country Music, said he spoke to Rory Feek ahead of the show and knew Rory didn't plan to come.

Saturday morning when many of his country music counterparts were likely still awake from the night before in Las Vegas, Rory Feek posted a photo of the sun rising on their farm near Columbia, casting early morning beams on the simple cross that marks his wife's fresh grave. Joey Feek's horses were standing guard at the fence.

Under it, Rory Feek posted lyrics from their song "When I'm Gone": "...a bright sunrise will contradict the heavy fog that weighs you down."

Sunday Rory Feek won't be the only one thinking about his sweet bride. Romeo said there would be "a shoutout" to the Feeks during the awards show.

Later in the morning, the Joey+Rory Facebook showed photos of Indiana eating breakfast on her older sister's lap and enjoying a parade near their farm. Rory Feek might not have won the trophy at the awards show in Las Vegas, but he found greater rewards at home on his farm.

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