for KING + COUNTRY Releases ‘Checking In (Feat. Lee Brice) From Upcoming ‘Unsung Hero’ Movie

NASHVILLE, TENN. (Feb. 2, 2024)
Multi-Platinum and four-time Grammy® Award winning duo for KING + COUNTRY drops their sophomore track “Checking In (Feat. Lee Brice)” from their forthcoming “UNSUNG HERO” movie inspired-by soundtrack. Available today alongside an official music video, “Checking In” is a fitting tribute to vivid memories, bittersweet regret, and the love between a parent and a child, as portrayed in the upcoming theatrical biopic that will be released in theaters nationwide on April 26 via LIONSGATE.

Written by Michael Farren, Kenneth Cooper Hart, and Garrett Jacobs; and produced by Ben Glover, “Checking In” unites the duo with ACM/CMA award winner Lee Brice for a bonafide country song that soundtracks scenes from “UNSUNG HERO,” which find patriarch David Smallbone wrestling with guilt and remorse after his father’s unexpected death. Putting language around real life, “Checking In” helps define the feelings that inevitably arise when we lose a loved one.

“Here’s the backstory: our label-mate Lee Brice had found himself struck by the powerful lyrics of a song titled ‘Checking In,’ and placed the song on hold,” says for KING + COUNTRY. “The creative spark ignited when we also stumbled across the song and were captivated by the sentiment behind it. We were working on the ‘Inspired By’ record for our film ‘UNSUNG HERO’ at the time, which circles around family, and thought, ‘What if we worked on this together? Yes, it’s country song, but we do live in Nashville, and have the word ‘country’ in our band name…’ And just like that, ‘Checking In’ was born, a testament to heartfelt songwriting, and magic that happens when diverse musical worlds collide.”

Adds Brice, “I’ve been a fan of for KING + COUNTRY since I first heard them. I initially heard ‘Checking In’ a couple years ago and immediately put it on hold. Ironically, Joel and Luke heard this song through a mutual friend and wanted to cut it. Our worlds came together, and it was an honor to be asked to join them on a track for their upcoming film. Any time someone asks for you to be a part of telling their story, it is truly humbling, and I hope everyone digs the song and goes to see this incredible journey on the big screen.”

We recently talked with Joel Smallbone about the movie and soundtrack:

“Checking In (Feat. Lee Brice)” follows on the heels of for KING + COUNTRY’s re-imagined Michael W. Smith classic hit song, “Place In This World,” the premiere track from their “inspired-by” album that features Smith himself. Fans can anticipate additional singles to drop from the duo this year leading up to their official soundtrack release which boasts several other A-list collaborations.

In addition to their new music, the duo is also nominated for a 2024 Grammy® Award with multi-Platinum recording artist Jordin Sparks for their song, “LOVE ME LIKE I AM.” Their family biopic and Joel Smallbone’s directorial debut film, “UNSUNG HERO” (see trailer here), will release in theaters nationwide on April 26.