Granger Smith Reflects on the Importance of Patriotism in His Career

Granger Smith's latest album, Remington, includes a bonus track called "Merica" that features his alter-ego, Earl Dibbles Jr. While the song (and its over-the-top music video) are humorous, Smith's intent to honor the men and women who serve our country is serious.

"We talk about these big, American things in a very funny, but proud, way -- celebrating it, in a way," Smith recently told The Boot and other reporters of the song. "To me, it’s great because that song puts patriotism in America front and center at whatever festival or concert we play. We make sure that America is front and center, because I’m so proud of the opportunities that we have here."

Earlier this year, the Texan embarked on the Granger Across Merica Pledge of Allegiance Tour, both to promote the release of Remington and to encouraging his fans to honor their nation. Over two days in March, the singer visited the original 13 colonies, plus Washington, DC, and recited the Pledge of Allegiance at each stop.

"I also wanted to take a serious spin on the Pledge of Allegiance, because this is something that has been forgotten in today’s society. [It's] something we used to say in elementary school, every single morning. And a lot of schools don’t do it anymore at all," Smith explains. "They say words like ‘liberty’ and ‘republic,’ words that we have lost the meaning of. So I thought, 'Well, let’s get out here, and let’s say the Pledge of Allegiance in all 13 colonies and invite people to come and join us in a little bit of patriotism.' I think that that’s special."

Smith has also been overseas to perform for American troops -- tours he is proud to take, as a small token of his gratitude.

"I’ve done several tours in Iraq and Kuwait, and that’s because I feel, for lack of a better term, a little bit guilty that I get to play music and travel, living the dream, that is, in turn, paid for by a sacrifice of men and women my same age that go over and volunteer to work in a field that is much nobler than mine," Smith admits. "So, because of that, I feel like I need to help as big as I can, and music is where I can, and so I want to give back music to different places."

"Merica" is available for download on iTunes, and a list of all of Smith's upcoming shows is available on his website.

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