Sharing your passion with your child is an unparalleled joy.

When little Indiana, or Indy, was a baby, she often joined her parents, Rory and the late Joey Feek, on stage during their performances. Even after Joey’s passing from cervical cancer when Indy was only two, Rory continued to perform, and Indy continued to share the stage with her father.

Recently, Indy expressed her desire to perform alongside her father, and Rory had the perfect song in mind – one he had known and cherished for decades. The song was “Daddy What If” by Shel Silverstein. Rory helped Indy learn the lyrics, just as he did with his oldest daughter, Heidi, when she was Indy’s age. He even adapted the lyrics from “Daddy” to “Papa,” as that’s what Indy affectionately calls him.

Rory typed out the lyrics and added drawings next to the parts Indy would sing. Indiana practiced whenever she could, and the joy of singing a real song with her Papa filled her with pride.

“By Christmas time, she was joining me on stage to sing it in front of the room full of folks who’d traveled from all across the country to be with us… and oh, what a special moment it was for her, for me, and for the surprised people in the concert hall,” Rory shared.

Inspired by their on-stage success, Rory had an idea – what if they recorded the song in a studio and made their own video? Eventually, Rory released a special song to celebrate Father’s Day.

Reflecting on the moment, Rory thought of his father, Joey’s father Jack, and his older daughters Heidi and Hopie. He cherished the gift of being a father to them and to Indiana. While appreciating the precious moment, he couldn’t help but think of Joey and how she would have cherished witnessing their little one singing with her Papa and growing into a beautiful young lady.

The duet was incredibly sweet and moving, leaving Rory hopeful that it wouldn’t be the last time they sang together.