GROUP ANNOUNCES NEW MUSIC AND UPCOMING 2022 TOUR ON THE HEELS OF SOLD OUT 2021 SHOWS ACROSS THE U.S.
NEW SONG TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE FAMILY LEGACY OF THE BAND WHILE ALBUM BRINGS HOPE IN A PANDEMIC-RIDDLED WORLD
LOS ANGELES (January 6, 2022) – Multi-GRAMMY® winning duo and Curb | Word Entertainment recording artist FOR KING + COUNTRY will launch the pre-order of its upcoming new album What Are We Waiting For? (March 11), along with new song release “Unsung Hero,” January 7. Pre-add, pre-order or pre-save the album here.
FOR KING + COUNTRY’s fourth studio project asks a pivotal question in a pandemic-riddled world. Brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone provide the answer across 13 original tracks that confront relevant issues and confirm the duo’s commitment to community, diversity and family. Set against a sonic backdrop painted by the Platinum-selling group’s lush, vivid pop, the collection features cameos from tour mate Dante Bowe, Kirk Franklin and Tori Kelly and includes barrier-breaking single “RELATE,” awe-inspiring “For God Is With Us” and unifying No. 1 hit “TOGETHER.”
“What’s been particularly beautiful about this album is that we were able to be home with our families while making it,” share Luke and Joel Smallbone. “We cannot wait to now take more new songs on the road, to see you out there and make new memories with you all!”
The next song release, “Unsung Hero” is the most personal track on the upcoming album and is lovingly dedicated to the parents of FOR KING + COUNTRY’s Joel and Luke Smallbone. Two of seven siblings, the brothers raise their voices in reverent solidarity for the couple who made them the men they are today. Ethereal strings invite listeners into the real-life story of the Smallbone family and its journey from Australia to America on the cut written by the duo, Federico Vindver and Seth Mosley, as they recall the sacrifices made and the example set by their mom and dad. The “Unsung Hero” music video will also premiere January 7 at 10AM CT on YouTube.
“Mum and Dad’s sacrificial love and selflessness inspires us to this day,” continue the Smallbone brothers. “It’s hard to put into words what they mean to us, but they are both truly unsung heroes of ours. “Unsung Hero” goes out to every mum and dad, as well as every child who sees a hero in their parents.”
“What Are We Waiting For? – The Tour” will also launch this spring. The 34-city run will take FOR KING + COUNTRY to arenas across the United States, performing brand new songs from its upcoming album for the first time, against the backdrop of an all-new stage design.
The new tour kicks off on March 31 in Southaven, MS traveling through Chicago, IL, Phoenix, AZ, Las Vegas, NV, and more before wrapping up in Franklin, TN on May 22. Joining FOR KING + COUNTRY on tour will be platinum selling artist Dante Bowe of Maverick City.
In 2021, the duo saw great success with sold-out tour shows at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, Toyota Center in Houston, Target Center in Minneapolis, Dickies Arena in Ft. Worth, Gas South Arena in Atlanta and in addition, quickly extended its record for consecutive No. 1 singles to seven with “RELATE” – the lead single from the upcoming What Are We Waiting For? release. Since its release in late 2021, “RELATE” has hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Christian Airplay chart, as well as Mediabase’s Christian AC Airplay chart, marking the 10th career No. 1 for the Billboard Music Award winners. “RELATE” is currently No. 45 at Mediabase Hot AC.
During the most recent holiday season, FOR KING + COUNTRY re-entered the mainstream chart with its celebrated rendition of “Little Drummer Boy” hitting No. 13 on Mediabase’s Holiday chart, and No. 21 on the AC chart. The track also hit No. 14 on Billboard’s AC chart, becoming the duo’s fourth Top 20 mainstream AC hit – the other three being “God Only Knows,” “TOGETHER,” and “Amen.” FOR KING + COUNTRY holds some notable positions on Billboard’s Year-End chart, finishing Top 10 in nine different categories. In total, FOR KING + COUNTRY has 1.8 billion career streams.
As part of the celebration of the album release, FOR KING + COUNTRY has offered an exclusive fan experience in 2022 to bring people closer to the music than ever before. The FOR KING + COUNTRY New Album Weekend Experience takes place across the weekend of March 4 – 6 and offers fans a chance to spend the weekend with Joel and Luke in their home base of Nashville, TN. Perks include a full band concert, exclusive album listening party, meet & greet, and more. Although the weekend offer quickly sold out, for waitlist and more information, click HERE.
What Are We Waiting For? (March 11)
FOR KING + COUNTRY / Curb | Word Entertainment
Track-Listing (with songwriters and producers)
- RELATE
Written by: Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone, Josh Kerr, Tayla Parx
Produced by: Tedd T., Josh Kerr, FOR KING + COUNTRY
- Broken Halos
Written by: Josh Smallbone, Luke Smallbone, Mick Coogan, Josh Kerr
Produced by: Tedd T., Josk Kerr, FOR KING + COUNTRY
- Love Me Like I Am
Written by: Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone, Josh Kerr, Michael Pollack
Produced by: FOR KING + COUNTRY, Josh Kerr, Jeff Sojka
- Unity (feat. Dante Bowe)
Written by: Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone, Josh Kerr, Antony Williams, Federico Vindver
Produced by: FOR KING + COUNTRY, Josh Kerr, Federico Vindver
- For God Is With Us
Written by: Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone, Josh Kerr, Jordan Reynolds
Produced by: FOR KING + COUNTRY, Josh Kerr, Tedd T., and Benjamin Backus
- Hold On Pain Ends
Written by: Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone, Josh Kerr, Jordan Reynolds
Produced by: FOR KING + COUNTRY, Josh Kerr, Tedd T., Benjamin Backus
- Unsung Hero
Written by: Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone, Federico Vindver, Seth Mosley
Produced by: FOR KING + COUNTRY, Federico Vindver, Seth Mosley
- Harmony (feat. Sleeping At Last)
Written by: Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone, Federico Vindver, Seth Mosley, Matt Hales
Produced by: FOR KING + COUNTRY, Federico Vindver, Seth Mosley
- Shy
Written by: Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone, Josh Kerr, Taylor Hill
Produced by: Josh Kerr, Tedd T., FOR KING + COUNTRY
- TOGETHER (feat. Kirk Franklin & Tori Kelly)
Written by: Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone, Kirk Franklin, Ran Jackson, Ricky Jackson, Josh Kerr
Produced by: Federico Vindver, Josh Kerr, Benjamin Backus
- Seasons
Written by: Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone, Josh Kerr, Michael Buzz
Produced by: Josh Kerr, Tedd T., FOR KING + COUNTRY
- Cheering You On
Written by: Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone, Josh Kerr, Jordan Reynolds
Produced by: Josh Kerr, Tedd T., FOR KING + COUNTRY
- Benediction
Written by: Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone, Josh Kerr, Ran Jackson, Ricky Jackson, Nicolas Balachandran
Produced by: Josh Kerr
About FOR KING + COUNTRY
FOR KING + COUNTRY is one of the music industry’s most respected and decorated duos. Brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone have won four GRAMMY Awards, seven GMA Dove Awards, a Billboard Music Award, 13 K-LOVE Fan Awards, and their nine No. 1 songs have produced an astonishing 1.8 billion career streams. The RIAA Platinum-selling act’s live show has been hailed as a must-see concert event that continues to wow sold-out crowds whether in the U.S.A, Australia, Germany, Netherlands, or New Zealand. FOR KING + COUNTRY’s most recent album, the RIAA Gold certified Burn The Ships debuted in the Top 10 of the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart and has since propelled the duo to five consecutive No. 1 songs including “joy.,” “TOGETHER (feat. Kirk Franklin & Tori Kelly),” and the 11-week platinum smash “God Only Knows.” The global hitmakers have collaborated with a diverse list of artists including the legendary Dolly Parton, NEEDTOBREATHE, and Timbaland, amongst others. Joel and Luke Smallbone are committed to numerous philanthropic efforts focused on human trafficking, children in need, as well as numerous programs in support of the arts.
About Curb | Word Entertainment
In 2016, Curb Records acquired Word Entertainment, combining two of the music industry’s most respected brands, and more than a century of collective experience. Today, Curb and Word are two of the world’s leading independent music companies. Owned and operated by Mike Curb, the Curb | Word family includes the labels Curb, Word, Squint, Fervent, Sidewalk, MCC and IVAV, as well as Curb Publishing, Word Publishing, 25 Live, Curb Films, Word Films, Word Entertainment, and Curb Sports, representing top artists and entertainers in Country, Christian, Pop, Rock, and Hip-Hop. For more information, visit www.curb.com.