Granger Smith hosts Premiere Network’s “After Midnight with Granger Smith.” That, however, barely scratches the surface of what Smith has accomplished in his 45 years.
As a Country music artist, Smith released 11 studio albums, two live albums, and two EPs. In 2016, he reached the top of the Mediabase Chart with “Backroad Song,” which was followed by a top-ten hit, “If The Boot Fits.” And that still doesn’t list all of his accomplishments. He is a minister and philanthropist. He has also performed under his alter ego, Earl Dibbles Jr.
It’s tough to pick a starting point when talking to Smith, but I decided to start in 2016 when he had a number-one song and was touring the country—something that would lead many to believe he had it all.
“At somebody’s birthday party or something. One of the kid’s birthday parties, and I go through my phone, and there are a lot of those tour dates or award shows and ceremonies and the times that we had on the bus, and to be honest, I love those days.”
“I look back now in fondness. I’m not one of these guys who would say those are the dark days. I wish I could forget all those days of sitting in hotel parking lots and sitting in the Mall of America on a day off, just hating my life. I’ve heard musicians speak like that, and honestly, that was never me.”
Smith looks at that time as a building block, and a 2019 tragedy would become what he calls a “hinge” in his life. Smith’s son River died from a drowning accident at his home.
“That was the hinge that my life bends on right now. There’s one side, then there’s the other. For me, there was never going back. I couldn’t even pretend that Granger was the same in early 2019 as in late 2019. I think my life will be like that for a long time, maybe forever.”
Out of the tragedy, Smith felt he had the authority to listen to people and help them through their problems. He realized this during his show’s meet-and-greets.
“I started going to the meet-and-greets, and I started enjoying talking to the people more than I ever had before. I started wanting to hear their stories, and people were opening up to me in a way that they hadn’t before. Suddenly, I had an authority I was given that wasn’t there before. I had the authority to listen to someone going through a major life crisis, and I had the authority to look them in the eye and say, it’s time to get up. It’s time to move forward. How dare I say that before I have that kind of authority?”
“I realized that I’m the guy that’s lost a child. And so if you just lost your mother three years ago and you’re still struggling. I could say let’s go, brother. It’s time to move forward. You don’t have to move on, but it’s time to move forward. You can’t stay stuck like this.”
Smith and his wife found another way to give back and help with the establishment of the River Kelly Fund, named after their son.
“We started the River Kelly fund, and in the beginning, it was raising money for the Children’s Hospital where we lost River. We just saw the amazing nurses and doctors and all the other families that were coming in and out daily. As we speak, it’s happening right now. They’re rotating doors, and there’s some new family that’s rushing into children’s hospitals all over the world right now. They’re rushing in, and their life is shattered and changing. They’re trying to figure out this new mountain I need to climb.”
“People in the Country music industry, actually some big stars, embraced it and bought a shirt or donated a little bit of money. We were able to give the hospital a big check. So, Amber (Smith’s wife) and I thought, okay, this is another avenue.”
“This is another thing we could do that doesn’t have to be necessarily the children’s hospitals. It could be relief funds, or it could be childhood cancer or research. There are endless things that the River Kelly Fund can benefit. In fact, within this last year, we changed it to the River Kelly Foundation.”
So, how did this lead to a nationally syndicated radio show?
“I was creating myself as a brand and needing attention for the brand to succeed. As I started releasing that and instead using that same passion and energy that I exalted myself with to listen now and serve others, I found a greater joy than I had ever had before.”
“I started saying, Okay, God, I don’t know what I’m going to do financially because I’m now giving up my job. I’m giving up the only thing that’s paid the bills for my whole life. I don’t know how I’m going to pay the bills, but I feel like you’re leading me somewhere. “
“And boom, Premiere calls says, would you ever think about radio? You can do it from your house, and I thought there is. I’d never thought about it, but if I had thought about it, there’s no way I could have come up with an idea this good.”
I asked if there was a chance of any new music and what he thought of the state of Country music.
“Maybe there would be some gospel album in my future. I’ve been thinking about that. Then I have planned that every year at least once a year, we can get together and have a festival at our farm called “The Yee Yee Festival,” We’re going to do that May 9 and 10. I am gonna play a concert. That’ll be the first time I get back together with my band and crew since we laid it down.”
“I think that’d be fun and invite the public. This is one chance every year if you want to take your kids to hear us play, then you could do that.
“As far as what’s interesting about the state of Country music is now I’ve been I’ve been off of the radio for myself a little over two years now, and I’m starting to see that there’s now a complete changeover That happens where I’m now.”
“I’m starting not to know personally the new guys coming up. That’s an interesting thing. For at least a decade, I’ve known everyone in Country music on some level, even if it’s vague. Now it’s like a new hit will come out, and I go, I don’t know that guy at all.”
“I will say after that hinge in my life, I never expected to be on this side of radio. I’ve been chasing the other side of the radio for most of my life. To now be on this side, I’m used to hearing myself on the radio and not promoting myself, but promoting other people.”
“I’ve been on this side for almost 1,500 shows. I love this. I hope to do this for the rest of my days on earth. I hope I get to do radio in this capacity.”
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.
Jeff Lynn serves as Editor of Barrett Media’s Music Radio coverage. Prior to joining Barrett Media, Jeff spent time programming in Milwaukee, Omaha, Cleveland, Des Moines, and Madison for multiple radio groups, including iHeartMedia, Townsquare Media, NRG Media, and Entercom (now Audacy). He also worked as a Country Format Editor for All Access until the outlet shut down in August 2023.
To get in touch with Jeff by email, reach him at Jeff@BarrettMedia.com.
