Rory Feek’s story of hearing my song “Farewell Party” was recalled to me recently by a good friend. I appreciated remembering this because it brings to mind what so many of us talk about. I don’t want to live in the past and I don’t mind young kids making a living in country music. We all want that – but I sure wish they’d get more music out on today’s radio that has some meaning to it. Some depth. What some people just refer to as “real” . REAL life has love and it has heartache. There’s a lot of human emotion not being told today and I think that’s what we’re missing. I thank all of you that do still listen to Real Country wherever you find it. With that, it will live and thrive whether it’s on the radio or not.
Here is Rory’s story. “I recall driving with my father when Farewell Party came on the radio. “(He) pulled over to the side of the road and turned the volume button up,” Feek says, “and we just sat there and listened. Then he pulled back onto the road, and we kept driving. It wasn’t enough for us to just hear it . . . he had to pull the car over, so we could listen to every word.” Thank you Rory. — Gene