Opinion
Last year, the country music star Granger Smith shocked the world when he revealed that 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 Discusses ‘Massive Ego Hit’
“That’s a massive ego hit, man,” Smith, 44, told Fox News. “Going on stage in front of thousands of people and hearing them roar and the lights come 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 to that and to leave that is, first of all, so healthy to leave that because none of us are made for that. None of us are made to be worshiped in that way and, second of all, it’s just difficult because it’s addicting, and it’s really fun to have the spotlight on you like that.”
Smith’s final tour came to an end in August of last year. It was named “Like A River” after Smith’s late son River, who tragically passed away back in 2019 at the age of 3 when he got through the gate around the family’s swimming 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 ‘Real Reason’ He Left Country Music
Smith revealed last year that the “real reason” he’s leaving country music is because “knowing Jesus” and telling others about him is the “treasure of my life. And I want you to know this, so you can have Him as your treasure too.” He went on to say that he did not want a career “based upon building a name for myself to get in the way” of his ministry work, “no matter what kind of popularity or career I’ve gained.”
“There is not another #1 song I can write, album I can release, sold out concert I can perform, that is more important than this,” he added.
Smith explained that he no longer wants to be known, “instead I want to proclaim the name of Christ! The one that has washed me clean, the one that has freed me from my shame and my guilt. The one that gave me a new heart. I want Him to be known! And I want to know Him more. That is the real reason I’m leaving music touring.”
“I hope to see y’all soon on a new kind of stage,” he concluded.
Related: Granger Smith Defends Retiring From Country Music To ‘Serve’ God – ‘Huge Feeling Of Relief’
Smith Admits ‘Huge Sacrifice’ Of Giving Up Country Music
In another interview in August of last year, Smith opened up about the sacrifice of giving up country music.
“Giving it up now is still a huge sacrifice for me, because I do love it and it is a passion that I’ve had for a long time, but I just feel like now I have a more important message to give and there’s not enough time to do music,” he told Entertainment Tonight.
“This season of my life will be actually being with my family and going to our little local church and learning under our pastor and going to seminary and getting out and speaking occasionally and talking about this book and telling people about my darkest night and how I was saved from that, so that’s where I am right now,” he continued.
We can only hope that Smith has found peace in his new life pursuing a ministry career. Please join us in saying a prayer for him as he continues with this transition!
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