Opinion
Last year, country music star Granger Smith shocked the world when he revealed he was abandoning his music career to pursue Christian ministry. Now, Smith is opening up about what this transition has been like for him.
Smith Talks “Massive Ego Hit”
“It’s a huge ego stroke, man,” Smith, 44, told Fox News. “Getting on stage in front of thousands of people and hearing them roar and the lights go on, and it’s all about you.”
“I raised my hands, and they raised their hands, and I played loud songs, and they got intense,” he continued. “There’s a big rush towards this and leaving all this is, first of all, so healthy because none of us are made for that. None of us are meant to be worshiped that way, and secondly, it’s just hard because it’s addictive, and it’s really fun to have the spotlight on you like that.”
Smith’s last tour ended in August last year. It was called “Like A River” in honor of Smith’s late son, River, who tragically died in 2019 at age 3 when he walked through the gate around the family pool at their Texas home and fell in before drowning. Smith and his beloved wife Amber also have three other children together.
Related: Granger Smith Announces He’s Leaving Country Music for Ministry
Smith reveals the “real reason” he left country music
Smith revealed last year that the “real reason” he is leaving country music is because “knowing Jesus” and telling others about him is the “treasure of my life. And I want you to know it, so you too can have it as your treasure.” He went on to say that he didn’t want a career “based on building a name to get in the way” of his ministerial work, “no matter what kind of popularity or career I gained.”
“There is not another No. 1 song I can write, an album I can release, a sold-out concert I can perform, that is more important than this,” he added.
Smith explained that he no longer wants to be known, “I want to proclaim the name of Christ instead! The one who washed me, the one who freed me from shame and guilt. The one who gave me a new heart. I want him to be known! And I want to know him more. This is the real reason I’m leaving music touring.”
“I hope to see you on a new kind of stage soon,” he concluded.
Related: Granger Smith Defends Retiring from Country Music to ‘Serve’ God – ‘Huge Feeling of Relief’
Smith admits the “tremendous sacrifice” of giving up country music
In another interview in August last year, Smith spoke about the sacrifice of giving up country music.
“Giving up now is still a huge sacrifice for me, because I love it and it’s a passion I’ve had for a long time, but I feel like now I have a more important message to give and there’s not enough time to make music,” he told Entertainment Tonight.
“This season of my life will really be about being with my family, going to our little local church, learning from our pastor, going to seminary, hanging out and talking every now and then, talking about this book and telling people about my darkest night. dark and how I was saved from that, so that’s where I’m at now,” he continued.
We can only hope that Smith has found peace in his new life by pursuing a ministerial career. Please join us in saying a prayer for him as he continues with this transition!
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