Granger Smith is headed back to the stage.
In 2023, Granger Smith shocked the country music community by announcing that he was leaving the industry. Smith shared that he was stepping away because he felt called to pursue a career in ministry. (Unlike Oliver Anthony’s ministry announcement, he was truly going to stop making music.)
Smith announced in April 2023 that he would be doing a series of shows that would serve as a “farewell tour.” Before his last show at Billy Bob’s Texas, Granger Smith shared with fans the “real reason” he decided he no longer wanted to be a touring musician.
“There is not another number-one song I could write. There is not another album I could release or sold-out concert I can perform that is more important than what I’m telling you right now. I wonder if there’s anyone here this morning that’s chasing something like I was, that’s getting in the way of knowing God more.
I don’t want the Granger Smith name to be famous. Instead, I want to proclaim the name of Christ, the one that washed me clean, the one that has freed me from my shame and guilt, the one that gave me a new heart.
I want Him to be known, and I want you to know Him, and I want to know Him more. THAT is the real reason I’m leaving touring.”
Smith said that he was at peace with his choice and often spoke about him leaving music while he was preaching or during his podcast. He discloses during one of his sermons that he would have still been playing country music if it was not for the tragic death of his son and that God intervened in his life via this tragedy.
“The Lord used that suffering to crush me and break me. And the reality is if He hadn’t done that, I’d still be lost in that cultural Christianity out there playing concerts, glorifying drinking beer, singing all the things about country music, and getting everyone else to party with me. And that would have led me straight to hell.”
However, you can’t keep a true creative away from the stage forever. In a recent video, Smith announced that he would return to the stage for one weekend only and that this does not mean he’s going on tour.
In the video, Smith writes a letter to his country boy alter ego Earl Dibbles Jr. asking him if they could get back together during his Yee Yee festival, which is slated to be held in Georgetown, Texas, from May 9 to 10.
“Dear Earl,
I hope this letter finds you well. It’s been a year and a half since we’ve seen each other. How are you? It’s been good here with me since we retired from music touring. The radio show is growing, and so is my podcast. I’m two years into seminary now; can you believe that? I’ve been preaching a little bit. Sometimes at my home church, sometimes at other churches, mostly in the country, not in the city. I thought you’d like to hear that.
The Lord has been kind to our family. London is now 13, Lincoln is 11, and Mav is 3 and a half. You know he never got to see you live, but he watches all of your videos, especially Diesel, and speaking of, that’s actually something I’d like to talk to you about.
You see, we’re having our big Yee Yee Fest on May 9th and 10th. Well, me and brothers, we kind of kicked around the idea of me playing a concert. It wouldn’t be a tour or anything, but maybe this could be the one time a year people come to the farm and see me play.
Especially the kids, like Maverick, who would love to see some of those songs performed live with my old band. But you know, it sure would be better if you could show up too, just like old times…”
The video ends with Earl running into Granger’s office, saying that he’s in.
With that, Granger Smith is officially headed back to the stage.
Tickets for Yee Yee Fest go on sale this Friday, March 7th, so if you’ve been missing seeing Granger Smith live, this is your chance to see him hit the stage again.
