for KING & COUNTRY have just won another Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove award — not for their music, but for their film Unsung Hero — the autobiographical story of duo Joel and Luke Smallbone and their family’s journey from Australia to America. The pair invited their parents Helen and David, who inspired the film, to make their acceptance speech.
“I believe every mum is an unsung hero,” Helen said, while David father added, “This is emotional. When I lost everything 35 years ago, I said: The only way we can get ahead is to go to America. Helen said: We’ll go for two years. And 35 years later, we’re still here. We love America. This is a land of opportunity.”
Joel and Luke posted on their band’s social media page: “Two of the most significant people in our lives, our Mum, and our Dad. To be able to pass off the Dove Awards speech to them — for Dad to have the opportunity to share from it, after being around the industry for 50+ years — was quite the moment that we got to share as a family. Awfully grateful for the kindness shown by the GMAs in making Unsung Hero Feature Film of the Year!”
Faithwire reports: “for KING & COUNTRY is undoubtedly one of the most popular inspirational bands of the modern era. The Smallbones’ work is a fusion of art, faith, encouragement, innovation, and grit.” They’ve been traveling across America on the 31-city UNSUNG HERO 2024 Tour, performing music from the film and offering faith-inspiring messages to audiences.
Joel Smallbone recently told Higher Ground With Billy Hallowell on the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) that he and Luke are “trying to create awe-inspiring environments” through their music and performances while “bringing out messages of hope during a very tumultuous time for this country.”
“We get to pull people into a room that vote, think, look, act different from one another — different beliefs, different points of view, and yet we can come together for two and a half hours and have this emotional, relational, spiritual moment together. I’m really proud of it, and I think that’s part of the deep purpose of it,” Joel explained.
He conceded the coming months could be difficult in the US, as the election will leave “half of America” encouraged and the other half downtrodden, regardless of what unfolds. He said the ability to be able to cut through that impending noise musically, and to encourage, is a “profound” opportunity.
“There’s a lot of people that are making a lot of statements right now. I’ve been guilty of it just as much as the next man or woman, but there’s not a lot of space for people just to sit in — the celebration that we have breath in our lungs — to celebrate the fact that, no matter which way politics of this country turn, that we still live in a beautiful land, and I’m really proud to be in this country,” Joel declared.
Faithwire reports Unsung Hero is a project that might not have happened had the Smallbones listened to their critics. Despite making more than A$30 million at the box office, some tried to dissuade them. “We’d had other people in the industry say This is a terrible idea. Don’t do this.” Joel told CBN’s Billy Hallowell.
“Ultimately, the dedication to Unsung Hero paid off and audiences responded, making it a top-rated movie of 2024, with a Rotten Tomatoes audience score of 99%. Fans have called the movie “wholesome,” “powerful,” and “an incredible story of faith and perseverance,” Faithwire revealed.
Photo: Facebook – for KING & COUNTRY
