On Monday, December 19, 2011, acclaimed country music duo Joey and Rory performed their “Farmhouse Christmas” show at Joe’s Pub, situated in New York City.
Overview of Joey and Rory's Christmas Show
They commenced their set with “It’s Christmas Time,” which ironically is the opening track of their newest CD A Farmhouse Christmas.
“Thank ya’ll so much for such a warm welcome,” said Joey. “This is the first time we get to play in New York City. Thank you so much for being out here.”
They continued with the Merle Haggard-penned tune “If We Make It Through December,” as well as “Come Sit on Santa Claus’ Lap.”
Joey delivered a stunning vocal of “The Gift,” where she accompanied herself on acoustic guitar. It was followed by the up-tempo “I Know What Santa’s Getting for Christmas” and “What the Hell (It’s the Holidays),” where Rory sang lead, and showcased his baritone voice.
Joey noted that she grew up in a farming community in Indiana, and expressed how proud she is to be living on their farm in Tennessee; moreover, she revealed that another passion of hers is to ride horses out in the West.
In “The Diamond O,” Joey showcased her superb ability to yodel, which is equal is excellence to that of country-folk songstress Jewel.
Rory shared that this upcoming June, he and Joey will be married for ten years, and added that their marriage is stronger now than it’s ever been.
The duo also performed tunes from their other albums, such as the mellifluous “That’s Important to Me,” as well as two songs that were written by Rory that became hits for other country singers such as Clay Walker’s “The Chain of Love” and “A Little More Country Than That,” which became a chart-topping single for Easton Corbin.
After singing a few verses from Corbin’s hit, they performed the Elvis Presley classic “Blue Christmas,” where their stage was brightened with blue lights.
“It’s been a thrill to bring our two daughters, Heidi and Hopie, with us on this tour,” Joey and Rory remarked.
“Away in a Manger” was a duet between Joey and Rory, and their daughter Heidi joined in and performed one of the song's verses by herself; moreover, Heidi sang a solo tune, accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, and showcased her powerful, husky voice, that was well-received by the crowd.
Their dog, Ranger, also made a cameo on the Joe's Pub stage, and Joey sang “Choose Me” for him, as she was holding him on a leash.
The fun “Let it Snow (Somewhere Else),” featured Joey on tambourine, and they had the audience clapping along. Rory introduced the members on their five-piece band, which featured a dobro player, fiddler, drummer, and bass player, as well as Heidi on backing vocals.
“Remember Me” was the final Christmas song of the evening, and the tune that the duo claimed as their favorite from the new album. The crowd concurred with their decision.
They closed their show with their Billboard Top 30 hit “Cheater, Cheater.”
Following the concert, they were gracious enough to take the time to meet their fans in the merchandise booth, take photographs, and sign copies of their latest record.
The Verdict
Overall, Joey and Rory put on a spectacular Christmas show at Joe's Pub. They made the New York City audience feel as if they special guests in their Tennessee farmhouse's living room, where they were able to sit back, relax, and have a good time.
Joey is such an underrated and versatile singer, and at times, her voice has shades of Patty Loveless in it.
Rory is also a noteworthy singer, guitarist, and most importantly, a prolific songwriter that is able to write simple, yet moving tunes that strike a chord in the hearts of country listeners nationwide. Their show was filled with humor, wit, sincere country storytelling, and it embodied the true meaning of Christmas.
Along with Martina McBride's "Joy of Christmas" show, Joey and Rory's "Farmhouse Christmas" is one of the best holiday concerts I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing in New York.
To learn more about Joey and Rory, visit their official website.
Markos Papadatos - Markos Papadatos holds over six years journalism experience, authoring over 700 articles, many of which are feature profile interviews.
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