Joel David Smallbone (born 5 June 1984) is an Australian-American singer and actor. He is a member of the Christian pop duo For King & Country along with his brother Luke Smallbone. He played the role of James Stevens in the 2016 film Priceless.
Joel Smallbone | |
|---|---|
 Smallbone in 2016 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 5 June 1984 Sydney, Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, actor |
| Member of | For King & Country |
| Spouse(s) | Moriah Peters (m. 2013) |
Early life edit
Smallbone was born in Sydney, but moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 1991.[1] He is the brother of Luke Smallbone and younger brother of Christian recording artist and speaker Rebecca St. James. Smallbone is also the brother-in-law of Jacob Fink, former bassist for the band Foster the People.[2]
Smallbone's father was a music promoter, and Joel recalls, "going to these rock concerts, sitting on my father's shoulders, plugging my ears...Honestly, in a lot of ways I feel like music chose me and as I grew older, I made a clear decision to fully lean into it."[3]
Career edit
Smallbone did background vocals for his sister Rebecca as well as operating lights and managing the stage.[4] He collaborated with his brother Luke and in 2008 they released their first EP, A Tale of Two Towns, performing under the name Austoville.[1] The group was signed to Warner Bros. Records and later changed its name to For King & Country.[1]
Smallbone began his acting career in 2013 by playing King Xerxes in The Book of Esther and as Jake Reeson in Like a Country Song.[5] In 2016, Smallbone was cast in the leading role of James Stevens in the film Priceless.[6]
Smallbone won two Grammy awards in 2014 and was nominated for another Grammy in 2016[7][8]
Discography edit
Filmography edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | The Book of Esther | King Xerxes | |
| 2014 | Like a Country Song | Jake Reeson | |
| 2016 | Priceless | James Stevens | |
| 2023 | Journey To Bethlehem | Antipater | |
| 2024 | Unsung Hero | David Smallbone |
References edit
- ^ a b c "For King & Country: From Rebecca St James sidemen to CCM success". Cross Ryhthms. 23 May 2012. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
- ^ McPhail, Carol (23 January 2015). "For King & Country, touring with Winter Jam, draws on life-or-death scare in 'Run Wild'". AL.com. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
- ^ "Biography | for KING & COUNTRY". Forkingandcountry.com. Archived from the original on 1 January 2014. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
- ^ Schmitt, Brad (2 June 2016). "For King & Country's Luke Smallbone nearly died from illness". The Tennessean. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
- ^ "For King & Country: Impacting the US with their anti-trafficking film Priceless". Cross Rhythms. 18 November 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
- ^ Leydon, Joe. "Film Review: Priceless". Variety. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
- ^ "Joel Smallbone". GRAMMY.com. 14 May 2017. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
- ^ "Joel Smallbone of Christian music group For King & Country on being in film 'Priceless'". The Washington Times. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
External links edit
Media related to Joel Smallbone at Wikimedia Commons- Joel Smallbone at IMDb
