Bozeman Magazine

 

Though he's been in the music business since he was a teenager, Granger doesn't always play by the rules, which he finds gratifying. "When I knew I wanted to be a singer-songwriter for a living, I never set out to be totally grassroots," he explains. "Probably no one does. At that time, there was a system and most people followed that system. Write a song, book a studio and musicians, play a showcase, get a record deal, get famous, request all green M&Ms."

 

For Granger, a mixed bag has proven more his style. "I've taken a unique path, which has been partly unplanned, but very rewarding,” he adds.

 

Over a decade into his career, the former Texas A&M alumn has already checked several items off his bucket list. Played by invitation at the White House? Check. Paid his respects to American soldiers? Absolutely, both through multiple tours in Iraq and Kuwait and through his annual 100-mile soldier walk. This year, he was asked to partner with The Boot Campaign to further raise awareness of our troops’ needs as they return home from combat.

 

The 'We Do It In A Field' hitmaker means what he sings, because he works on his own time and in his own way. He has created his own in-home studio and with every album uses his own players -- his band members -- who have essentially become his brothers when on the road. "Every album, every song, every drum beat that you've heard from me over the last 7 years has come from my home studio out of these little speakers and was edited by me until I've felt it was right to release," Granger says, ensuring that his music is authentic and from the heart.

 

Juggling a relentless tour schedule, he essentially never sleeps. His blood is always pumping, his mind plotting the next calculated move.

 

And that next move never seems to be very far away. In 2013, Granger released his 9th studio album since he hit the scene at age 19. The album "Dirt Road Driveway" debuted at #1 on the iTunes Country Chart and has proven to be his most successful release to date expanding his audience from a regional artist to a national touring act. Dirt Road Driveway went on to become the number one selling independent country music album in total digital sales for 2013.

 

His game plan has been good to him so far. Granger has had 10 Top 10 singles on the Texas Music Charts including 4 Top 5's and the most recent singles “Miles and Mud Tires” and “Silverado Bench Seat” both landed at the #1 spot, the latter of which debuted on ESPN’s Sports Center. He's even successfully launched a crowd-pleasing alter-ego, "country boy" Earl Dibbles Jr. The idea was born when Granger and his brother were having some fun with a camera on their childhood ranch. "Earl represents at least half of my family, so it was easy to jump in my old truck, grab my shotgun and slip right into character," Granger admits. They could never have imagined the viral success Dibbles has become, with his own singles “The Country Boy Song” and "Country Boy Love" with music videos, TV shows on CMT and CBS Sports Network, “YEE YEE” clothing lines and legions of fans all over the globe.

 

It's clear that Granger is both serious and playful when it comes to his craft; he's humble enough not to take himself too seriously, but dedicated enough not to let his name slip out of mind. "Whether it was good or bad, that reality means the world to me," says of following his own path. "My team and I, we rise and fall together, but that rise feels so inspiring when we know we've created this momentum from the ground up. Everyday I'm thankful, everyday I'm excited. The world will always need new music and luckily, I can never get new music out of my head!" - See more at: http://www.grangersmith.com/about.html#sthash.bJtMxc3K.dpuf