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Granger Smith shared an heartfelt announcement on Tuesday (April 11), posting a video on Instagram to reveal that this summer’s headlining tour would be his final one.
Smith explained in his recorded message to his fans and social media followers that, rather than continuing to perform his country music on tour, he’ll opt to pursue his faith-based goals in his local church. The shift in his life brings an end to his touring after nearly two and a half decades.
The Texas native admitted that he was “so nervous to make this video,” announcing his farewell tour. He explained, in part, that he has “felt a strong desire to pursue ministry,” and for his family to serve in their local church. He also said he’s been attending seminary, training in ministry, and “that just takes a ton of time to pursue…and that may explain to some of y’all why I’ve appeared, maybe, distant, especially to music lately.”
Smith, who will also be at this year's iHeartCountry Festival in Austin on May 13, also revealed that he has plans for a book to release on August 1, titled “Like a River.” He said that it “shouldn’t surprise you what that book is about. But, it’s about from when I lost my son, Riv, to when we had Mav, and everything in between.” Smith and his wife, Amber, lost their son, River Kelly Smith, in a tragic accident in the summer of 2019. Smith’s representative confirmed at the time that River died by drowning. He was 3 years old. The Smiths welcomed their son, Maverick Beckham Smith, in August of 2021. Maverick’s name honors River by including the letters R-I-V in his name.
“This message is so difficult to post,” Smith admitted in his Instagram caption on Tuesday. “The words for this caption are so hard to find. Not because I don’t believe the truth of them, but because this marks the end of the longest era of my life! Touring… 24 years of it.
“This summer will be my last tour,” he continued. “I am so encouraged and hopeful and excited and joyful about the next chapter, but to a large extent, I have no idea what it will look like. I just want to glorify God the best way that I can. I want to learn and grow and serve my local church and allow my pastors to quip and affirm those next steps. Lord willing, I want to be used to help people find their purpose.”
Smith acknowledged that “a lot of ya’ll might not understand this (decision) at all… That’s OK. That’s not what this video’s about.” He also noted that there might be a book tour on the horizon after the release of “Like a River,” and pledged to answer any questions his fans and social media followers have after he announced big decisions in his life and career.
Smith is known for country anthems like “Backroad Song,” “That’s Why I Love Dirt Roads” and others. Most recently, the After MidNite host wrote and released the 12-track Moonrise soundtrack. Smith, who made his acting debut in the film, said at that time that “this was so different than any other process of music making that I’ve been involved in with, and I LOVED every minute of it.”