WED, Aug. 17 — for KING & COUNTRY

Grandstand Entertainment Wednesday, Aug. 17 King + Country

On Wednesday, Aug. 17 at 7 p.m., two-time Grammy award-winning duo for KING & COUNTRY will perform live as part of the Bank of the Paci c Grandstand Entertainment Series.

Brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone were propelled into superstardom with the release of their critically acclaimed sophomore album, Run Wild. Live Free. Love Strong., which debuted at No. 1 on iTunes and was certi ed gold.

Joel and Luke, who have become American citizens, learned about hope, love and support from their tight-knit family. eir parents raised seven children in Sydney, Australia, before moving to Nashville in 1991.

Music became the family business. eir charismatic father was a music promoter and sister Rebecca St. James became a successful Christian music artist, so the duo’s teen years were spent working as part of her road crew.

When Luke was 19 and Joel was 21, they formed a band and began writing and recording the body of work that would become for KING & COUNTRY. ey released their debut album, Crave, in 2012 and won New Artist of the Year at the 2013 Dove Awards, where they received six nominations.

In what has become a fullcircle moment, they wrote Never Give Up with sister Rebecca for the new album.

Once novices, they are now their sister’s peers and have a shared understanding of the di culties of being frequently away from home.

“We learned the craft of music and fell in love with it on the road with Rebecca,” Joel says. “In some ways, for KING & COUNTRY is a legacy band of Rebecca’s. It’s a real special moment to be able to have that creative collaboration after all of these years with her.”

e album’s theme of adventure and exploration ends poetically with Pioneers, a lush song about the romance and realities of long-term commitment.

Fittingly, wives Moriah and Courtney join them on the nal track.

“In a time where commitment can be hard to come by — the through-thick-and-

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King & Country: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17 at NWW Fair

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thin/death-do-us-part kind of commitment — it’s a song that celebrates that kind of love,” Joel says.

Perhaps it’s no surprise that the duo felt compelled to embark on this musical pilgrimage because they have been two of our most prescient storytellers in recent years, addressing issues even before they became part of the national conversation. It’s as if they know what we need to hear exactly when we need to hear it.

For instance, their 2016 No. 1 hit Priceless, which also inspired the Smallbones’ human-tra cking themed movie by the same name, celebrates a woman’s worth. Several years before the #MeToo phenomenon, the Smallbones sparked a movement highlighting a woman’s value that continues to grow and evolve today.

ey began writing and recording songs about hope and love several years ago for Burn e Ships, messages that are vital during these tumultuous times. eir music provides answers, comfort and a rmation, while o ering a constant reminder that we aren’t alone, even in our darkest times.

“We never want to be a voice of critique or criticism, but a voice of, ‘Maybe if we shifted our perspective, what would we see?’ at is the beauty of music,” Joel says. “We ask the questions of ourselves: ‘I want to have joy. I want to nd a way. When I am faced with despair, struggle or hardship, what can I do?’” e 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., Australia, Germany, Netherlands, or New Zealand.

Grandstand reserved seats, preferred seats, and preferred chairs do not include gate admission, which is required. e show is presented by Manna Insurance Group.

Tickets can be purchased at nwwafair.com, the fair of ce, 1775 Front St., Lynden, and by phone at 360-3544111.

VIP and group ticketing are also available.

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Country singer Loretta Lynn in Custer, Wash., c.1955. Photo by Jack Carver, Whatcom Museum 1995.1.17578.

Learn about local music history at the exhibit, The Scene, now showing at Old City Hall!

Thursday - Sunday, Noon - 5 PM Old City Hall, 121 Prospect St. More info at whatcommuseum.org