“Unsung Hero,” the Lionsgate/for KING + COUNTRY Entertainment’s biopic of the Smallbone family’s emigration from Australia to the U.S., won the 2024 Dove Award at this year’s 55th Annual Dove Awards ceremony that aired nationwide on October 4. The film that starred Daisy Betts, Joel Smallbone, Kirrilee Berger, Jonathan Jackson, Lucas Black, Candace Cameron Bure, and Terry O’Quinn, was directed and written by Joel Smallbone and Richard L. Ramsey; and produced by Joshua Walsh, Justin Tolley, Joel Smallbone and Luke Smallbone. The film chronicles David and Helen Smallbone’s journey that led them to realize the musical prowess in their children, who would go on to become two of the most successful acts in inspirational music history: four-time GRAMMY® Award-winning artists for KING + COUNTRY and Rebecca St. James.
The film garnered more than $20M at the box office and has also recently been named a top-rated movie on Rotten Tomatoes for 2024 so far, with a 99% verified audience score on the new Popcornmeter feature.
Says Joel and Luke Smallbone of for KING + COUNTRY: “Two of the most significant people in our lives are our Mum and our Dad. To be able to pass off the Dove Awards speech to them – for Dad to have the opportunity to share the stage after being around the industry for 50+ years was quite the moment that we got to share as a family. Awfully grateful for the kindness shown by the GMAs in making ‘Unsung Hero’ ‘Feature Film of the Year!’”
Multi-Platinum selling duo and Curb | Word Entertainment recording artist for KING + COUNTRY is fresh off their first ever sold-out show at Red Rocks Amphitheater on their 31-city U.S. tour titled “for KING + COUNTRY LIVE: The UNSUNG HERO 2024 Tour,” that continues through November 10. The tour features music from their current “UNSUNG HERO: The Inspired By Soundtrack,” as well as fan favorites, and is giving audiences a new innovative production unlike any other for KING + COUNTRY show to date. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased HERE.
The duo will also be embarking on nine select 2024 performances for its “A DRUMMER BOY CHRISTMAS | THE 2024 TOUR EXPERIENCE” in the U.S. and the U.K. starting December 1 – December 20. The highly anticipated holiday spectacle will come to select cities: Los Angeles, California at The Peacock Theater; London, UK at Indigo At The 02; New York, New York at The Beacon Theatre (two shows); and in Nashville, Tennessee, at the Grand Ole Opry House. The annual high-octane show that brother duo Joel and Luke Smallbone have become known for, will showcase an extraordinary production blending festive visuals and stunning lighting and staging effects. In its fifth consecutive year, for KING +COUNTRY will perform at Nashville’s iconic Grand Ole Opry House, marking their second concert residency at the historic venue.
ABOUT “UNSUNG HERO”:
Based on a remarkable true story, “UNSUNG HERO” follows Helen and David Smallbone as they move their family from Down Under to the States, searching for a brighter future after David’s successful music company collapses. With nothing more than their seven children, suitcases, and their love of music, David (for KING +COUNTRY’s Joel Smallbone) and his pregnant wife Helen (Daisy Betts) set out to rebuild their lives. Helen’s faith stands against all odds and inspires her husband and children to hold onto theirs. With their own dreams on hold, David and Helen begin to realize the musical prowess in their children, who would go on to become two of the most successful acts in Inspirational Music history: four-time GRAMMY® Award-winning artists for KING + COUNTRY and Rebecca St. James. The film stars Daisy Betts, Joel Smallbone, Kirrilee Berger, Jonathan Jackson, Lucas Black, Candace Cameron Bure, and Terry O’Quinn. It was directed and written by Joel Smallbone and Richard L. Ramsey; and produced by Joshua Walsh, Justin Tolley, Joel Smallbone and Luke Smallbone. For more information visit: https://unsunghero.movie/.
ABOUT FOR KING + COUNTRY
for KING + COUNTRY is one of the music industry’s most respected and decorated duos. Brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone have been awarded four GRAMMY® Awards, an American Music Award, a Billboard Music Award, 11 GMA Dove Awards, and 17 K-LOVE Fan Awards. Their 13 No. 1 songs have produced an astonishing 2 billion career streams. The 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. for KING + COUNTRY’s WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?, released this year, became the duo’s second Top 10 album on the Billboard 200; following their RIAA Gold certified album, BURN THE SHIPS, which also debuted in the Top 10 of the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart. The duo has had seven consecutive No. 1 songs including “For God Is With Us” “joy.,” “TOGETHER” (feat. Kirk Franklin & Tori Kelly),” and the 11-week Platinum smash, “God Only Knows.” The global hitmakers have collaborated with a diverse list of artists including Jordin Sparks, Hillary Scott, Dolly Parton, NEEDTOBREATHE and Timbaland, amongst others. Joel and Luke Smallbone are committed to numerous philanthropic efforts focused on human trafficking, children in need, as well as numerous programs in support of the arts. Additionally, “UNSUNG HERO,” Joel Smallbone’s directorial debut film from for KING + COUNTRY Entertainment, was theatrically released via Lionsgate on April 26, 2024. Titled from the duo’s song of the same name that was dedicated to their parents, the biopic follows the Smallbone family’s immigration from Australia to the United States. For more information about for KING + COUNTRY visit: www.forkingandcountry.com.
