43
Little Big Town comes full circle
Photo
Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook, Karen Fairchild and Phillip Sweet of Little Big Town perform at a show in Nashville.
COUNTRY MUSIC GROUP IN COVELLI CONCERT
Little Big Town comes full circle
By John Benson
Little Big Town's Jimi Westbrook admits he's been day drinking.
You’ll have to forgive the singer-guitarist; this phone interview is taking place on the same day Little Big Town is being inducted into the Grand Ole Opry by legend Vince Gill.
“Well, I can’t lie — there might have been a little day drinking to take the edge off,” Westbrook, calling from Nashville, said laughing.
It was in early October during a show at the Grand Ole Opry that Reba McEntire made a surprise appearance during the group’s hit song “Pontoon.”
“All of a sudden, I hear this voice that didn’t sound like anyone in the band,” said Westbrook, who is married to Little Big Town singer Karen Fairchild. “It was coming out of nowhere, and I was thinking, ‘Who is singing that part? That’s not how that goes?’ Then Reba walks out. It was so cool, and very emotional for all of us.”
He added that being asked to join the Grand Ole Opry was a dream come true for the band that formed in 1999 and in the past decade has enjoyed top-10 country hits “Boondocks,” “Bring It On Home,” “Little White Church,” “Pontoon,” “Tornado” and, of course, “Day Drinking.”
“We couldn’t be more grateful,” Westbrook said. “We love The Opry. That was the first place we ever played as a band in front of people, so it’s kind of full circle for us.”
As if Little Big Town didn’t have enough to celebrate, the outfit is currently touring its sixth studio effort, “Pain Killer,” which finds the vocal-harmony group broadening its horizon and exploring influences ranging from vintage ’50s country and ’70s country to funk, a cappella, bluegrass and rock ’n’ roll.
Westbrook said the band really wanted to push itself when it came to recording the follow-up to 2012’s platinum “Tornado.” The result is an eclectic grouping of songs capturing different kinds of moments.
“I really like the song ‘Stay All Night,’” Westbrook said. “We were listening to some of the old ’70s country songs. It’s got this great funky groove. That’s one that shows off vocals in a way we never have and this kind of reckless abandon on it. I love that track.”
He added, “Another track that’s really different is ‘Girl Crush.’ I don’t think anybody has heard a moment like that from us before. Something is special about it.”
The new album also includes the radio-friendly hit “Day Drinking.” Considering Westbrook does speak from experience, what would he suggest to fans thinking about pre-gaming for the band’s Saturday show at Covelli Centre?
“Moderation is the key,” Westbrook said with a laugh. “‘Day Drinking’ always makes me think of those times you’re on vacation, you’re on a beach and you don’t have anywhere to be. All you have to do is lay there and have a nice drink in your hand and just relax.
“That’s the setting I prefer.”