Joel Smallbone

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Joel Smallbone
Joel Smallbone 2016.jpg
Smallbone in 2016
Background information
Born (1984-06-05) 5 June 1984 (age 40)
Sydney, Australia
Occupation(s)Singer, actor
Member of For King & Country
Spouse Moriah Peters (m. 2013)

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 . He directed the 2024 American Christian drama film Unsung Hero, plus playing the role of his father David Smallbone. [1] [ unreliable source? ]

Contents

Joel married Christian music artist and actress, Moriah Peters (known professionally as MORIAH) in 2013.

Early life

Smallbone was born in Sydney, but moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 1991. [2] 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. [3]

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." [4]

Career

Smallbone with For King & Country performing at Kingdom Bound 2015 Joel Smallbone.jpg
Smallbone with For King & Country performing at Kingdom Bound 2015

Smallbone did background vocals for his sister Rebecca as well as operating lights and managing the stage. [5] He collaborated with his brother Luke and in 2008 they released their first EP, A Tale of Two Towns, performing under the name Austoville. [2] The group was signed to Warner Bros. Records and later changed its name to For King & Country. [2]

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 . [6] In 2016, Smallbone was cast in the leading role of James Stevens in the film Priceless . [7]

Smallbone won two Grammy awards in 2014 and was nominated for another Grammy in 2016 [8] [9]

Smallbone performing at Rock the Universe in Orlando, Florida in 2022 Joel Smallbone 2022.jpg
Smallbone performing at Rock the Universe in Orlando, Florida in 2022

Discography

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
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 Smallbonealso director

References

  1. ↑ "Unsung Hero". IMDb . Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 "For King & Country: From Rebecca St James sidemen to CCM success". Cross Ryhthms. 23 May 2012. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  3. ↑ 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.
  4. ↑ "Biography | for KING & COUNTRY". Forkingandcountry.com. Archived from the original on 1 January 2014. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
  5. ↑ Schmitt, Brad (2 June 2016). "For King & Country's Luke Smallbone nearly died from illness". The Tennessean. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  6. ↑ "For King & Country: Impacting the US with their anti-trafficking film Priceless". Cross Rhythms. 18 November 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  7. ↑ Leydon, Joe. "Film Review: Priceless". Variety. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  8. ↑ "Joel Smallbone". GRAMMY.com. 14 May 2017. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
  9. ↑ "Joel Smallbone of Christian music group For King & Country on being in film 'Priceless'". The Washington Times. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
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