Granger Smith Hospitalized After Bad Fall from Stage
Granger Smith, also known as Earl Dibbles Jr., suffered a tragic stage fall Friday evening (12-2) at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, N.J. while standing on a stage monitor during the mostly acoustic performance. Smith suffered two broken ribs and a collapsed lung in the incident, but miraculously got back up stage after the fall to finish the concert. He was later taken to the hospital where the cracked ribs and collapsed lung were discovered. Video (see below) shows Smith taking a nasty spill.
Granger’s shows this weekend have been canceled, and Saturday morning, his management released a statement:
Granger Smith was injured last night while performing at the Starland Ballroom in Sayresville, New Jersey. Granger was standing on a monitor when it gave way, bringing Granger crashing off the stage into a metal barricade. Miraculously, Granger managed to get up and finish the set through excruciating pain, which ended with the crowd singing “Backroad Song.”
After visiting a nearby Emergency Room, he was transferred and admitted to a Level 1 trauma center in New Brunswick, NJ and doctors confirmed two completely separated, broken ribs and a punctured and partially collapsed lung. The latest reports are encouraging and Granger hopes to get back home to his family in Texas to rest soon.
All shows and appearances through the weekend are canceled and further information about subsequent shows will be forthcoming.
The fact that @GrangerSmith got up to sing after 2 broken ribs and a punctured lung just proves he’s a country boy. Get well soon buddy! pic.twitter.com/PNCSFT2bOE
— Chris Lyle (@NJCountryBoy82) December 3, 2016
December 3, 2016 @ 12:05 pm
Wow. Collapsed lung and finished? Not a fan of his music but he must be pretty tough
December 3, 2016 @ 12:34 pm
He did a great job pretending he was okay after the fall. That must have hurt like hell
December 3, 2016 @ 12:45 pm
Holy shit! That hit was harder than a punch from Luke Bryan! …oh wait…so is a butterfly landing on you…
Seriously though, damn… hope he heals up alight!
December 3, 2016 @ 1:30 pm
Gotta be tough to finish the set with a collapsed lung. Hope he heals up well.
December 3, 2016 @ 1:43 pm
Get well soon and Prayers coming your way, Granger!
December 3, 2016 @ 2:18 pm
Even if Granger is not your cup of tea, he’s an honest and passionate guy. I’ve seen him live, for an acoustic set like this, and I’ve followed him online for years under his alter ego, Earl. He’s not a brilliant talent, of course, but he’s humble enough to know what he is offering the genre, which is a playful contribution on the whole. I hope he recovers quickly with all divine blessings.
December 3, 2016 @ 4:09 pm
bit theef got in a fite with a stage moniter n lost
December 3, 2016 @ 5:02 pm
Man, that’s rough. Hope he gets healed up quickly.
December 3, 2016 @ 6:11 pm
I hope he get feeling better soon!
December 3, 2016 @ 10:46 pm
Wishing Mr. Smith a speedy recovery. While he’s laid up recovering, maybe he can take in a Spinal Tap viewing and study some Rock and Roll cliches, like feet on the monitor, that should be avoided.
December 4, 2016 @ 12:09 am
Nice of everyone to rush to his aid.
December 4, 2016 @ 12:23 am
Earl Dibbles probably pushed him offstage for making bro country
December 4, 2016 @ 7:30 am
” This is my broke rib song”
December 4, 2016 @ 9:12 am
If you mute the sound it looks like a Luke Bryant acoustic set.
December 4, 2016 @ 3:24 pm
Hate to see this happen and I never wish anything ill on anybody, but the sarcastic side of me is sad for the fans who had to hear “Backroad Song” before he went to the hospital.
December 4, 2016 @ 4:20 pm
Maybe next time he’ll shut up and sing. Cody Jinks or Waylon wouldn’t fall offstage because they don’t need to wander all around to keep a simple minded audience amused.
December 4, 2016 @ 7:08 pm
That sucks. 🙁 Still not on board with the whole “minor league” thing, but I’m with others-I also wish for his speedy recovery.
December 4, 2016 @ 7:12 pm
Hopefully he didn’t tear his spandex pants during that fall
December 5, 2016 @ 11:14 am
Should’ve had Earl Dibbles finish the set.
December 5, 2016 @ 2:11 pm
Fun fact: Sayreville is Jon Bon Jovi’s hometown.
December 6, 2016 @ 12:21 pm
What the hell kind of boots is he wearing there?