The Real Reason Granger Smith Left Country Music
Granger Smith played his final show as a country star and posted a “keepsake” photo from the night. He took to Instagram after the show to share with fans the real reason he is leaving country music behind him.
In a lengthy post, Granger wrote, “Took this pic on Saturday- a keepsake from my last show as a touring musician. It’s been such a privilege to claim that job title for so many years! Let’s be clear. This is not retirement. That would mean I’m quitting work altogether. It’s also not because I’m burned out or unwell or sick or heartbroken or grieving. I am more at peace and more free than at any other time in my life. It’s not for any of those reasons.”
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He continued, “Let me tell you the real reason. It’s the parable that Jesus used in Matthew 13:44: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then, in his joy, he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.’ 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.”
Granger added, “I want my family to experience it and my kids to know this joy. I don’t want a career based upon building a name for myself to get in the way of that, no matter what kind of popularity or career I’ve gained. There is not another #1 song I can write, an album I can release, sold-out concert I can perform that is more important than this. I don’t want the Granger Smith name to be famous. 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.”
Smith said of being remembered as a country star, “From now on when you hear the name, Granger Smith, my goal is NOT for you to say: ‘He was a great singer.’ Or ‘a great speaker’ or ‘author’ or not even what a ‘great loss he suffered.’ Instead, when you hear my name, I want you to think, ‘Granger Smith? Oh, I’ve heard of him. What a great Savior we have in Jesus!'”
He closed, writing, “I hope to see y’all soon on a new kind of stage.”
