If you?re backstage at the George Strait concert tonight, you?ll hear ? besides the 13,000 screaming fans ? Little Big Town yelling their favorite lines from the film Anchor Man, right before the group opens the show.
“It?s loud and obnoxious but everybody ends up laughing,” said Little Big Town?s Jimi Westbrook about their pre-show ritual.
“It?s about getting everybody?s energy up,” agreed his wife and band member, Karen Fairchild. “A live show is everything for us.”
With Westbrook and Fairchild are Kimberly Roads, the nurturer of the group, and Phillip Sweet, the eternal optimist who always looks at what could be, said Westbrook. Splitting lead vocals, the foursome have been together for the past ten years. But didn?t find commercial success until 2005 when their platinum-selling album The Road to Here was released with hits “Boondocks” and “Bring It On Home.”
Since then, Little Big Town has touredwith Sugarland, Kenny Chesney and John Mellencamp, and garnered two Grammy nominations, two Academy of Country Music awards and the title Billboard Magazine?s Independent Artist of 2006.
The best part of performing these days for the harmonizing quartet is starting to see the crowds singing along to songs not played regularly on the radio, Westbrook said. “That?s a thrill for us. It?s the best part of what we do because it shows the fans have spent time with the record. And that?s what you imagine while you?re writing.”
Another thrill for the group is watching the prolific Strait perform.
“It?s like nothing I?ve ever seen before in my life,” Fairchild said. “When he moves around the stage, the crowd just goes beserk like he was Elvis.”
IF YOU GO
George Strait with special guests Little Big Town
WHERE: 1st Mariner Arena
201 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26
COST: $54.50-64.50
INFO: ,410-347-2010
