Granger Smith Bids Farewell To Chicago In Final Show "My Stage Is Just Changing."

No frills country singer Granger Smith bid farewell to Chicago on Thursday night at Chicago's Joes Live to a sold out crowd. Granger who recently announced he was leaving country music for ministry gave his all to his Chicago based fans one last time with an impressive 90 minute show.

Photo Credit: Beyond The Pit

Granger, a steadfast family man welcomed all ages and his show, and wow did families come out in droves. "We want to pass our love of good values and country music on to our kids," one mom told us while holding her 14 month old. "We met at a Granger Smith show in 2016 and we wanted to bring our kids out to experience the joy," another father said. Kids from as young as 14 months showed up in YeeYee style. If that dose not speak to Smith's impact over his career, we are not sure what else would.

From the jump, the show was full of energy and never slowed down. Kicking off the show with his high energy Holler, it was evident that Chicago came to party with Granger one last time. Fans screamed, yes screamed every word to Granger's classic love tune You're In It, and the toe tappin' City Boy Stuck.

Granger's humble personality and thankfulness of his fans was evident all show long. Making sure every young fan got a thumbs up and a bright green YeeYee guitar pick during his hit Backroad Song. It is clear that Smith's fan's first attitude comes full circle as well.

"This song really took on a life of it's own," Smith said while the band played the into to Buy A Boy A Baseball. The song off of Country Things Vol 2 was a surprise favorite for Granger. "You all started bringing signs to shows asking for the song, and then y'all started bringing baseballs," Granger chuckled. During the fan favorite, Granger took time to sign baseballs and once again making sure he connected with every fan.

Perhaps the most touching moment of the night, was when Granger, just his guitar and a simple spotlight sang an acapella Amazing Grace. Smith then took time to address the elephant in the room. "I am not going anywhere," Granger told the sold out room. "My stage is just changing. I feel the urgency of the message that needs to be heard. I will be back in Chicago." Needless to say there wasn't a dry eye in the house. A group of girls in the front row were visibly crying and to no surprise Granger met them with a hug from the stage.

Photo Credit: Beyond The Pit

The rest of the powerhouse 90 minute set was full of fan favorites like That's Why I Love Dirt Roads, Diesel and our personal favorite Happens Like That. But Granger Smith lovers were waiting for one thing, a visit from Smith's redneck alter ego Earl Dibbles Jr.

Smith's spirt engulfed the whole room and fans once again screamed hits 'Merica and Don't Tread On Me. These songs seemed to really connect with the crowd as they all came together to yell "We are YeeYee Nation," louder than we have ever heard.

Before his final Chicago bow, Granger took time to thank each fan for supporting him over the years. Granger's 2016 hit If The Boot Fits closed out the night to fans of all ages jumping and dancing one last time with their beloved redneck.

If there is one takeaway from Granger Smith's career, it is that his impact goes far beyond music. His values, his kindness and his fan's first approach truly make Granger Smith a country music icon!