Smith releases video updating fans in wake of son's death

Smith said in the heartfelt, emotional video that he would start touring next week with his family aboard next week. "I'm going to play the shows until I get my head straight," he said during the nine-minute video of he and Amber talking. "Music has always been healing until I get my head straight."

He said he would not do meet and greets because he thought it would be difficult talking about River.

"We are committed to each other," he said, "Our family."

"Our kids," interjected Amber.

"We are going to search for the meaning behind this," Granger said. We're not going to get caught up in the reasons."

"He'll always be with me," he said. "He'll always be in our hearts."

"Don't feel sorry for us," he said. "We feel blessed that we had an incredible little boy for three years," adding, "We're going to live our best lives."

"We're going to search for every bit of good we could find," said Granger Smith.

"Live for the present because we're not guaranteed tomorrow," he said.

"I believe that this was on this earth for that exact amount of time," he said.

The Smiths referred to the pool accident. "Somewhere between 30 seconds and three minutes, we were doing CPR on our son," Granger Smith said.

They praised first responders and hospital staff as well as fans and the country community for their support.

The video concludes with a segment of pictures and video of River.

Granger Smith also posted more thoughts on the YouTube page: "We've been on quite the journey these past few weeks. I've been dark on social media, but I still have a full understanding of the responsibility placed upon me as a public figure. I can choose to snuff that influence, or instead use my platform (in relevancy big or small) towards what I believe is right. I believe I'm obligated on certain levels to include you guys in my current journey, as I've been involved either personally or musically in yours."

"The finality and mortality brought on by death makes life feel fragile. It can weaken, terrify and separate those close to it. But it can also awaken us. It can remind us never to take a moment with those we love for granted. In my house, we have united stronger and closer than we've ever been. We've cried. We've smiled. I've held my family tight. I've found strength from God and used that in the face of adversity so that my wife and children can rely on me. I've guarded my heart and my mind during weak moments and graciously accepted all of the encouragement and empathy from so many. I have realized that I will not slave over a search for answers, but instead for meaning. I will focus and then cultivate the light from a dark place, the good from the bad, God's will from my own plans. I can rest assured knowing that River's assignment on earth was always intended for 1116 days and not only did he live it to the fullest, but he lived it loved by so many, including a mother, father, sister and brother who held nothing back and have no regrets on how much he felt that love. We should all be so blessed to be able to live like Riv."