Granger Kelly Smith (born September 4, 1979),[1][2] also known by his stage name, Earl Dibbles Jr.,[3] is an American Southern Baptist minister and former country music singer and songwriter. He has released eleven studio albums, two live albums, and two EPs. "Backroad Song" became his lone number-one single in 2016 and he had a second top ten hit with "If the Boot Fits" in 2017.
Granger Smith | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Granger Kelly Smith |
| Also known as | Earl Dibbles Jr. |
| Born | September 4, 1979 Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
| Genres | Country |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, radio host, minister |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1998-present |
| Labels | Thirty Tigers, Wheelhouse |
| Website | www |
Early life
editSmith was born in Dallas, Texas. At 14, he became interested in music and decided to pursue it as a hobby, teaching himself guitar.[4] After graduating from Lake Highlands High School in 1998, Smith attended Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, and was a member of the Corps of Cadets. After his second year, he moved from Texas to Nashville after signing a songwriting contract with EMI Music Publishing. Later, in 2005, he returned to Texas and re-enrolled at Texas A&M to complete his degree. He continued to play live and record music, including "We Bleed Maroon", an homage to his alma mater and fellow Aggies.[5]
Career
editGranger Smith was signed to a contract at the age of nineteen in Nashville. He performed three times at the White House, and in 2008 he traveled to perform for soldiers in Iraq and Kuwait.[4] His 2013 album Dirt Road Driveway peaked at number 15 on US country charts and number 11 on US indie charts.
On August 12, 2015, Smith announced he had signed with Broken Bow Records imprint Wheelhouse Records. Smith's EP 4x4 was co-produced by Smith and Frank Rogers. The album debuted on the Top Country Albums chart at number 6, and reached number 51 on Billboard 200. The lead single from the album was "Backroad Song", which sold over 32,000 downloads in its first week of release.
Some of Smith's recordings made use of a stage name named Earl Dibbles Jr.[6]
In December 2018, Smith released a single from his soundtrack album called They Were There, A Hero's Documentary, which came out on November 30, 2018.[7] "They Were There" and its music video came out on the same day, December 7, 2018.[8]
On July 19, 2019, Smith performed for an audience of 86,000 as the opening act for the Garth Brooks Stadium Tour at the Albertsons Stadium in Boise.
On January 1, 2022, Smith took over After MidNite, Premiere Networks' long-running overnight country radio show. The show had previously been hosted by Blair Garner, then Cody Alan. Later that year, he joined Canadian country music group High Valley on their single "Country Music, Girls and Trucks".[9]
In November 2022, Smith released his eleventh studio album Moonrise. The album was featured in the Pure Flix film of the same name, which Smith starred in, released on December 15, 2022.
On April 11, 2023, Smith announced that he would be leaving country music touring in order to focus on ministry at his church in Austin, Texas. His "Like A River Tour" served as his farewell tour. The tour concluded on August 26, 2023.[10]
Personal life
editHe married Amber Emily Bartlett on February 11, 2010. They met on the set of the music video for Smith's song "Don't Listen to the Radio", and she has been featured in several of his music videos since. The couple has one daughter and three sons.[11]
On June 6, 2019, Smith announced that the couple's youngest son, River Kelly Smith, had died following a drowning accident at their home.[12] River had previously appeared in the video for "Happens Like That".[11]
On March 11, 2021, Smith and his wife announced they were having their fourth child, a boy, in August.[13] Their son, Maverick Beckham Smith, was born August 20, 2021.[14]
Smith is a Christian.
Discography
edit- Waiting on Forever (1999)
- Memory Rd. (2004)
- Pockets of Pesos (2005)
- Livin' Like a Lonestar (2007)
- Don't Listen to the Radio (2009)
- Poets & Prisoners (2011)
- Dirt Road Driveway (2013)
- Remington (2016)
- When the Good Guys Win (2017)
- Country Things (2020)
- Moonrise (2022)[15]
Tours
editHeadlining:
- American Soldiers Iraq Tour (2008)[16]
- Yee Yee Nation Tour (2013-14)
- Remington Tour (2016)
- Granger Across Merica Pledge of Allegiance Tour (2016) [17]
- Don't Tread On Me Tour (2017-18)
- Country Things Tour (2021-2022)
- Like A River: Farewell Tour (2023)
Supporting:
- Dig Your Roots Tour (2016)
- Luke Bryan Farm Tour (2016)
- Huntin', Fishin' and Lovin' Every Day Tour (2017)
- Live Forever Tour (2019)
Filmography
edit| Title | Year | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Granger Smith: A Documentary | 2014 | Himself | Director and Producer | [18] |
| They Were There, A Hero's Documentary | 2018 | Himself | Director and Producer | [19] |
| Moonrise | 2022 | Will Brown | Lead actor, producer | [20] |
Books
edit| Year | Title | Publisher | ISBN | Pages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | If You're City, If You're Country | BMG | 194702616X | 104 |
| 2023 | Like A River | Thomas Nelson | 88113992X | 208 |
| 2024 | Up Toward the Light | 1400241723 | 34 |
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award | Category | Recipient/Work | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | BMI Awards | BMI Country Award | "Backroad Song" | Won | [21] |
| 2017 | iHeartRadio Music Awards | Best New Country Artist | Granger Smith | Nominated | [22] |
| 2020 | CMT Music Awards | Best Quarantine Song | "Don't Cough on Me" | Won | [23] |
| 2023 | K-LOVE Awards | Film/Television Impact | "Moonrise" | Won | [24] |
References
edit- ^ "Amber Bartlett Smith on Twitter: 'Happy birthday to this stud! My soul mate, best friend, my happiness. We love you baby ❤️🎉 @GrangerSmith'". Retrieved March 29, 2016 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Granger K Smith, Phone Number, Address & Background Info". Intelius.com. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
- ^ Freeman, Jon (March 30, 2016). "Granger Smith on Blurring Lines With His Redneck Alter Ego". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
- ^ a b Johnson, Natalie. "Granger Smith returns from Iraq, Kuwait, and White House". Lubbock-Avalanche Journal. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
- ^ "LAKE HIGHLAND WELCOMES HOME GRANGER SMITH".
- ^ "Who Is Earl Dibbles Jr.?". Country Countdown USA. February 11, 2017.
- ^ "Granger Smith New Documentary called 'They Were There, A Hero's Documentary (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)'". iTunes Store. November 30, 2018. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ "Granger Smith New Single Music Released from 'They Were There, A Hero's Documentary (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)'". December 7, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2018 – via YouTube.
- ^ Lenehan Vaughn, Grace (June 2, 2022). "High Valley and Granger Smith Throw Old-Fashioned Country Field Party in 'Country Music, Girls and Trucks' Video [Watch]". Taste of Country. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "Granger Smith Is Leaving Country Music to Focus on Ministry: 'A New Direction for My Life' (Exclusive)". Peoplemag. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
- ^ a b "Granger Smith's Real-Life Love Story Plays Out in 'Happens Like That' Music Video". Taste of Country. August 7, 2017. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
- ^ "Country singer Granger Smith announces death of 3-year-old son". USA Today. June 6, 2019.
- ^ "Granger Smith and Wife Amber Expecting Baby Boy 21 Months After the Death of Son River". People. March 11, 2021.
- ^ "Granger Smith and Wife Amber Welcome Son Maverick Beckham: 'So Many Emotions'". People. August 20, 2021.
- ^ "Granger Smith Moonrise CD". merchbar.com. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
- ^ Granger Smith: Christmas in Iraq, January 13, 2009, retrieved February 8, 2024
- ^ "GRanger Smith Completes Day 1 Of His 48-Hour "Granger Across Merica Pledge Of Allegiance Tour" - BBR Music Group". www.bbrmusicgroup.com. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
- ^ Staff, Taste of Country StaffTaste of Country (January 13, 2014). "Granger Smith Samples Tour Life in Documentary Trailer". Taste of Country. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- ^ Mayhem, Boot Kickin' (November 1, 2018). "Granger Smith Unveils 'They Were There: A Hero's Documentary'". Music Mayhem Magazine. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
- ^ "Granger Smith on his Debut Movie Role In 'Moonrise' | The Bobby Bones Show". The Bobby Bones Show. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
- ^ "Granger Smith Accepts BMI Country Award and Celebrates 50th Annual CMA Awards". Nashville Country Club. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
- ^ "Here's The Complete List Of #iHeartAwards Winners | iHeartRadio Music Awards | iHeartRadio". iHeartRadio. Archived from the original on March 6, 2017. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
- ^ Bonaguro, Alison. "See the Winner's List for the '2020 CMT Music Awards'". CMT.com. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
- ^ "Home | K-LOVE Fan Awards". www.klovefanawards.com. Retrieved May 28, 2023.