Granger Smith, a popular country music artist, has announced that his upcoming "Like a River" tour, named after his son, will be his last. The 43-year-old artist is set to devote his life to ministry at his local church outside of Austin, Texas. Smith admits that he feels a huge sense of relief after sharing his intentions with the world. For the last few years, a handful of people knew that he was probably leaving country music. Smith says that it was challenging to perform for his fans while knowing that he would be leaving the industry in a few months.
For a while, Smith yearned for a new sense of purpose. He wanted to devote himself to his faith, so he is currently working towards a master's degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Although some of Smith’s close friends encouraged him to share his faith through music, Smith believed it wasn't enough. He says that he struggled with the idea for a long time that this approach didn't feel right.
Many pastors and preachers told Smith that country music was his ministry because he was bringing light to a dark world. But Smith realized that he was exalting himself on stage and seeking praise from people, which contradicted his goal. Therefore, he needed to make himself smaller before proclaiming Christ because he was doing it the wrong way. Smith might have a stage down the road, but he needs to surrender and give it over to God at the moment.
In 2019, Smith lost his three-year-old child, River, in a tragic accident. River had slipped through the pool gate outside their home and went into the water. Although River was quickly pulled out, he had been without oxygen for too long, and he died later despite the doctors' efforts. River’s eldest siblings, Lincoln and London, witnessed the heartbreaking incident.
Amber, Smith’s wife, revealed that their son’s donated organs helped save the lives of two people. The family has also used their social media platform to share water safety tips. Smith has written an upcoming memoir titled "Like a River: Finding the Faith and Strength to Move Forward After Loss and Heartache," which will be released on Aug. 1. Writing the book was therapeutic for Smith as he attempted to make sense of the tragedy.
Smith reflected on his past few years, saying that he was pretty messed up, even though he might have had a smile on his face while touring and playing music. Smith struggled to get up in the morning and face a new day after the loss of his son. He tried everything, from self-help books to various forms of exercise and diets, but nothing worked.
The Smith family has welcomed a new son named Maverick in 2021. They made it a priority to give Maverick formal swimming safety lessons. Smith said that immersing himself in his faith gave him a lifeline during his darkest days.
