Country Artist Returns to Stage Weeks After Tragic Car Accident originally appeared on Parade.
A country singer returned to the stage less than two months after he was involved in a fatal car accident. Conner Smith, 24, had announced he would be performing at the Grand Ole Opry a few days before the event. On July 30, the crooner thrilled fans with his return.
The “Creek Will Rise” singer performed with Steven Curtis Chapman, and the Grand Ole Opry shared highlights on their Instagram page.
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Chapman shared a video clip of his performance with Smith on Instagram, as well. He wrote, “What a privilege to be invited to share the stage and worship our faithful and loving Father with my dear friend and ‘little brother’ @connersmithmusic last night at the @opry.”
On the Grand Ole Opry Instagram post, one fan wrote, “Tonight was The Opry giving Conner a much-needed hug! Such a touching & healing night!”
Another comment came from Chapman’s Facebook page. “It’s awesome that you are supporting and loving Connor (sic) through a difficult time.”
Ahead of the performance, Smith opened up in a post on Substack. “What was once routine is now a great contrast to the two months of hiddenness my heart has needed,” he wrote.
“Tonight, I am going to perform again, and the truth is, in the very first moments of tragedy, I found it hard to imagine ever stepping on a stage again,” Smith explained.
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A post shared by Steven Curtis Chapman (@stevencurtischapman)
The singer shared that in the weeks since the accident, he “stayed isolated from the world.” He spent his time with friends and family, “or just me and Jesus.”
As Wide Open Country detailed, Smith was involved in an accident on June 8 in Nashville, Tennessee. A 77-year-old retired attorney named Dorothy Dobbins was walking in a crosswalk when she was allegedly struck by Smith’s vehicle.
Dobbins was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where she died from her injuries.
According to Wide Open Country, the Metro Nashville Police Department determined there was no impairment or criminal intent on Smith’s part. Smith was issued a citation for failure to yield resulting in death, and he is slated to appear in court for the Class A misdemeanor citation on August 7.
Country Artist Returns to Stage Weeks After Tragic Car Accident first appeared on Parade on Jul 31, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
