Granger Smith Headed Back Out on Tour After Son’s Tragic Death
Granger Smith and his family are mourning the tragic death of his 3-year-old son, River, but they're not letting their grief get the best of them. In an emotional new video, the "Damn Strait" singer reveals he is going back on the road — and he's bringing his family with him.
“I’m still going to do music; in fact, I’m going to go back on tour next week and I’m going to bring them with me,” the singer says in a video posted to the family's YouTube account on Wednesday (June 19).
His wife, Amber, is also in the video, and she chokes back tears as she adds, “We’re all going to go."
The couple have two other children; a 7-year-old daughter named London and a 5-year-old son, Lincoln.
Smith feels the time on the road is just what he needs right now.
“Music has always been healing," he shares. "That’s the place I’ve always turned to."
At least one thing will be different for Smith's fans during his next run of shows. The singer says that for the time being, he will not be engaging in fan meet-and-greet opportunities.
“I don’t think that’s the best place for me to be right now,” he admits. “A, it’s going to be strange if we have to talk about River and B, it’s going to be even stranger if we don’t talk about River.”
Smith turned to social media on June 6 to share "unthinkable news. We’ve lost our youngest son, River Kelly Smith," he wrote.
He shared that River died following a "tragic accident, and despite doctor’s best efforts, he was unable to be revived ... Our family is devastated and heartbroken, but we take solace in knowing he is with his Heavenly Father. Riv was special. Everyone that met him knew that immediately. The joy he brought to our lives cannot be expressed and his light will be forever in our hearts."
"There has never been a more difficult moment for us than this," Smith finished.
Smith did not elaborate about his son's accident, but the Tennessean newspaper confirmed that River drowned at the family's Texas residence.
Dierks Bentley and Florida Georgia Line are among the country artists who have offered prayers, condolences and tributes in the wake of River's death. Smith and his fans have raised more than $100,000 in the weeks since River's death through sales of a tribute T-shirt that Smith offered through his apparel line. All the proceeds go to benefit Dell Children's Medical Center in Austin, Texas, where the staff cared for River and showed his family great compassion.
According to Smith's official website, his next scheduled tour date is set for Friday (June 21) at Burlington Riverfront in Burlington, Iowa. It's not clear what exact date he'll resume his touring schedule.
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