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Dierks Bentley Dedicates Song to Granger Smith’s Family After Death of His 3-Year-Old Son
A sweet sign of support. The country music community has rallied around singer Granger Smith after he suffered through every parent’s worst nightmare when his youngest son died earlier this week. But on Saturday, June 8, Granger’s fellow musician Dierks Bentley decided to show his support for Smith by dedicated a song to them during his performance at the 2019 CMA Fest in Nashville, Tennessee.
Bentley told the crowd that he would be dedicating his hit song “I Hold On” to Smith, 39, Us Weekly reported. “He’s going through a tough time right now,” Bentley told the crowd, according to an audience member.
Smith took to Instagram on Thursday, June 6, to reveal the tragic news that his son, 3-year-old River, had died. “I have to deliver unthinkable news. We’ve lost our youngest son, River Kelly Smith. Following a tragic accident, and despite [the] doctor’s best efforts, he was unable to be revived,” Smith wrote. “Amber and I made the decision to say our last goodbyes and donate his organs so that other children will be given a second chance at life. Our family is devastated and heartbroken, but we take solace in knowing he is with his Heavenly Father.”
A rep for the family later confirmed to Us Weekly that River’s cause of death was due to a “tragic drowning at home.”
Smith’s wife, Amber Smith, also addressed their heartbreaking loss in a statement on Instagram. “Nothing can prepare a mother to deliver this kind of news,” she wrote. “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. If there are words to say more, we cannot find them in this moment. Love the ones close to you. There has never been a more difficult moment for us than this.”
Our thoughts are with the Smith family during this difficult time.
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