Country Songwriter Casey Beathard Shares Pivotal Story of Son's Passing in New ‘I Am Second’ Film
How Tragic Loss Brought the Nashville Artist to a Point of Surrender
PLANO, Texas, June 6, 2024 — In the new White Chair Film released by global storytelling organization I Am Second, Songwriter Casey Beathard shares about faith, fatherhood, the tragic passing of his son and the unexpected journey of healing from the depths of unthinkable devastation.
Casey met his wife, Susan, while working at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Shortly after getting married, the artist began to evaluate his relationship with God, resulting in the couple finding a suitable church where they would eventually bring up their children in the Christian faith.
As their family blossomed over time, Casey found himself consumed with making sure he was doing everything in his power to raise his children in the right way through nurturing their God-given passions and pushing them to be their absolute best in every facet of life.
“Little did I know that they were becoming such major idols in my life,” says Casey. “We were hanging out all the time, and it was ‘family, family, family’...but I was losing control of my children.”
Casey recalls a key conversation with his wife, just six months before their son’s death; she had offered encouragement and gentle wisdom, suggesting that he relinquish some of that control, allowing God to ultimately guide and lead their children.
“Oh, you mean, ‘Let go and let God’?” Casey recalls his response. “I don’t know how to do that.”
Yet, when tragedy struck in the form of their son’s murder from a double-homicide stabbing, the Beathard's lives came crashing down.
“That phone call that night was a parent's worst nightmare,” shares Casey. “It was hands-down the biggest crushing thing I could, my wife could, or my family could ever face...Everything I was trying to control was the happiness of my kids, and here we are in my house...the happiness was gone.”
Through an unexpected blessing of a broken entry gate to their residence, the Beathard’s found themselves unable to hide away from their community — a support system that ultimately brought the hope of God straight to their door during the darkest hour of their lives.
In further redemption, the Beathard’s witnessed something profound at Clay’s wake — a number of his friends surrendering their lives to Jesus. As an unexplainable peace and joy began to flood their lives, beyond that of human understanding or control, God was preparing Casey for deepened restoration. Later, the songwriter would be presented with the opportunity of a lifetime, face to face with the man who killed his son, made ready to act as a vessel of radical forgiveness, light and love.
To watch the exclusive I Am Second film, visit iamsecond.com/film/Casey-Beathard.
About I Am Second
I Am Second is a nonprofit launched in 2008 that ignites hope and inspires people to live for God and for others. Its website, iamsecond.com, features written and film-based stories of more than 190 athletes, actors, models, musicians, cultural influencers and everyday people who have stepped in front of the camera and declared, “I Am Second.” For information, visit iamsecond.com.
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