In a year when we had to be apart, the 2021 K-LOVE Fan Awards Group/Duo of the Year kept us together with a song that resonated deeply with listeners.
Some songs are written quickly. Others take years to complete. for KING & COUNTRY’s multi-week No. 1, “Together,” took the latter path. Brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone worked on the song for the better part of two years before finally releasing it during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“That’s the beauty of music—if you stay in it long enough, you realize that a song will find its footing and actually show up at a time such as this,” Joel reasons. “ ‘Together’ has been so frustrating, but now it’s like, ‘This was what it was for.’ ”
The Australian-born duo originally wrote the anthem for 2018’s award-winning album, Burn The Ships, but didn’t complete it in time to add it to the record. When their tour was cancelled due to COVID concerns back in the spring of 2020, one thing became clear: It was time to finish “Together.”
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The 13-time K-LOVE Fan Award winners called on friends Tori Kelly and Kirk Franklin to add their unmistakable vocals to the unifying song. They unveiled the completed track during a special livestream, then performed the song on “Good Morning America.” All four singers filmed the music video for the dynamic pop track from their respective homes during quarantine. In addition, the creative visual features 2,000 fans, who contributed their stories of simultaneous pain and hope during the global crisis.
“In a moment where we’re physically so isolated, there is this coming together of sorts that I don’t think any of us ever thought this pandemic would actually deliver. To be able to have a song that is called ‘Together’ to represent and almost even remember these times and be kind of a rallying cry was a gift,” Luke offers. “I know I needed it and my family needed it. And I hope that this will be a song for the world.”
Ticket packages for the 2022 K-LOVE Fan Awards Weekend are now on sale. Next year’s event will take place May 27-29, 2022 in Nashville.
