for KING + COUNTRY is a Christian pop duo formed in 2007 by Australian brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone, who have lived in Nashville since childhood. Four-time Grammy Award winners, the duo is known for songs like God Only Knows and Priceless, and for the film Unsung Hero (2024), which tells the story of their family.
Joel and Luke Smallbone were born in Sydney, Australia, into a family where music held a central place: their father, David Smallbone, worked as a music promoter, and their older sister, Rebecca St James, became a well known Christian artist. The family emigrated to the United States in 1991 and settled in the Nashville, Tennessee area.
After a first EP released under their own first names, the two brothers founded for KING + COUNTRY in 2007 and released their debut album, Crave, in 2012. Run Wild. Live Free. Love Strong. (2014) followed, then Burn the Ships (2018), which earned two Grammy Awards, then What Are We Waiting For? (2022) and The Most Beautiful Colours (2026). The duo has won four Grammy Awards and ten Dove Awards, and co wrote and starred in the film Unsung Hero (2024), based on their family's story.
- Origine
- Nashville, Tennessee, USA (brothers born in Sydney, Australia)
- Style
- Christian pop
- Actif depuis
- 2007
- À connaître
- The duo has won four Grammy Awards, including Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for Burn the Ships
- Discographie
- Six studio albums between 2012 and 2026, from Crave to The Most Beautiful Colours
How did for KING + COUNTRY get started?
Joel and Luke Smallbone grew up in Sydney and then in Nashville, where their family settled in 1991 after their father's career move. Surrounded by their sister Rebecca St James's career, the two brothers were immersed in Christian music from an early age.
They first released a short EP under the name Joel and Luke, before officially founding for KING + COUNTRY in 2007. The name, drawn from a British military expression, symbolizes for them the idea of serving a cause greater than themselves. Their first album, Crave, came out in 2012.
What makes for KING + COUNTRY unique?
The duo stands out for its polished pop production, blending sweeping orchestration with sharply crafted choruses, far from worship music's more classic conventions. They have collaborated widely outside the Christian sphere, with Dolly Parton, Timbaland, and Kirk Franklin, and have used their platform for causes like the fight against human trafficking. In 2024, the two brothers also co wrote and starred in their own story in the film Unsung Hero.
Where to start discovering for KING + COUNTRY?
God Only Knows, a two time Grammy Award winner, captures well their direct songwriting on doubt and trust in God. You can continue with thank god, from their latest album The Most Beautiful Colours (2026), before exploring their cover of Little Drummer Boy at Christmas, which has become a staple of their tours.
songs
thank god
A song of gratitude from The Most Beautiful Colours, the album released in September 2026.
the most beautiful colours
The title track of the duo's latest album, released in 2026.
a good man
A song about masculine identity and faithfulness, in the vein of their most personal lyrics.
Discography
- 2026The Most Beautiful Colours
- 2022What Are We Waiting For?
- 2020A Drummer Boy Christmas· Christmas album
- 2018Burn the Ships· winner of two Grammy Awards
- 2014Run Wild. Live Free. Love Strong.
- 2012Crave
Read also
Frequently asked questions
Who is for KING + COUNTRY?
for KING + COUNTRY is a Christian pop duo formed in 2007 by Australian brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone, who have lived in Nashville since childhood. Four time Grammy Award winners, the duo is among the most listened to Christian artists in America.
Is for KING + COUNTRY Christian?
Yes, both brothers profess a strong Christian faith that shapes their entire catalog, from worship and encouragement to personal stories of conversion and doubt.
What is for KING + COUNTRY's most well known song?
God Only Knows and Priceless are among their most listened to songs. God Only Knows earned them a Grammy Award in 2020, the same year the album Burn the Ships, which features it, received a second one.
Who are Joel and Luke Smallbone?
Joel (born 1984) and Luke Smallbone (born 1986) are two brothers born in Sydney, Australia, who emigrated to the United States in 1991. They have formed the duo for KING + COUNTRY since 2007.
Is for KING + COUNTRY connected to Rebecca St James?
Yes, Rebecca St James, a well known Christian artist since the 1990s, is Joel and Luke Smallbone's older sister.
Where can you listen to for KING + COUNTRY?
The duo's songs are available on their official YouTube channel and on all the usual streaming platforms. Their official website forkingandcountry.com brings together their news and tour dates.