ENTERTAINMENT

Joey Martin Feek sets new goal: live to see Grammys

Cindy Watts
USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee
Joey Feek, left, and Rory Feek

With news of her duo’s Grammy nomination, Joey Martin Feek of Joey+Rory set herself a new goal — live to see the awards ceremony.

The 58th Grammy Awards are set for 7 p.m. Feb. 15 in Los Angeles. When Grammy nominations were revealed Monday morning, Joey+Rory earned a nod for Best Duo/Group Performance for “If I Needed You.” The song had no commercial success and its only video component is something the married couple put together to rejoice the birth of their daughter, Indiana.

“Joey and I woke (Monday) morning just thankful for the chance to have another day to be together,” Rory Feek told The Tennessean. “That was enough. When you honestly don’t know what tomorrow will bring, you don’t think any farther than today. But hearing the news brought not only tears and smiles, it has brought us hope.”

Martin Feek was diagnosed with cervical cancer in summer 2014. After surgery, she thought she had beaten the disease, only for it to return about a year later. She endured more surgery and aggressive treatment, but the cancer continued to grow. She discontinued cancer treatment in October, and doctors gave her from six to nine months to live.

Now, she hopes to survive to see the Grammys and several other life milestones the third week in February. Joey+Rory’s hymns album will be released Feb. 14, and Indiana will celebrate her second birthday Feb. 17.

“Joey set a personal goal (Monday) morning of being here for all three,” Feek said. “She’s so faith-filled and determined, don't be surprised if you see us sitting in the audience at the award show, holding hands and smiling when they open the ballot and read the winner’s name.”