NASHVILLE, Tenn. – (Oct. 3, 2014) – Critically acclaimed Grammy®-winning vocal group Little Big Town (Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman and Jimi Westbrook)  was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry this evening by Opry member and friend Reba McEntire.  The group will be formally inducted into the Opry on Fri., Oct. 17 by Opry member Vince Gill.

As the group finished a three-song set with its smash “Pontoon,” McEntire appeared from the side of the stage, improvising on the song’s last few words. “I know the Grand Ole Opry is very important to y’all, because this is the first place you guys played together as a group in 1999,” McEntire began after the impromptu collaboration. “I have been asked to ask y’all, Little Big Town, would y’all like to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry?” 

After hugs with McEntire and between the members as well as a collective “yes” from the group, McEntire said, “Special moments like this—they’re priceless.”

Speaking for the group, Fairchild cheered, “Thank you, Grand Ole Opry! We will try to make you proud!”

Opry Vice President and General Manager Pete Fisher said, “We have been enjoying Grand Ole Opry visits from Little Big Town for almost 15 years now. During that time, the group has developed an amazing artistry and has won over millions of fans, all while maintaining a commitment to and love for the Opry we saw firsthand tonight. We will all be excited to officially welcome Little Big Town to the Opry family October 17.”

Critically acclaimed Country group, Little Big Town – consisting of members Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, and Jimi Westbrook – first entered the music scene more than 15 years ago with hits such as “Boondocks,” “Bring It On Home,” “Good As Gone” and Grammy-nominated single “Little White Church.”  The quartet’s fifth studio album Tornado was released on September 11, 2012 and debuted at the top of the Billboard Country Chart where it stayed for five consecutive weeks.  The album has been certified Platinum with sales of more than 1 million copies and features #1 hits “Pontoon” and “Tornado.” 

Collectively, the group has earned more than 25 award show nominations and has taken home the award for ACM Top New Vocal Group, CMA Single of the Year (“Pontoon”), CMA Vocal Group of the Year (2012 and 2013), ACM Vocal Group of the Year, ACM Video of the Year (“Tornado”), a Grammy Award for Best Country Group/Duo Performance (“Pontoon”) and an Emmy award (Outstanding Original Song-“Good Afternoon”). 

Little Big Town recently completed their sixth studio album working again with producer Jay Joyce. The first single off of the new album entitled “Day Drinking” is quickly climbing the Country radio charts.  The album, entitled Pain Killer, is set for release on October 21.

For more information on Little Big Town please visit www.littlebigtown.com.

AUDIO: We caught up with Little Big Town’s Kimberly Schlapman backstage just after the band was asked to join the Grand Ole Opry on Friday night.

Little Big Town (Opry) OC: …going ON? [screams] :29
“I feel like I can’t breathe very well.I can’t take very good breaths. Reba, holy freaking cow, Reba!! And then I thought, ‘Oh how nice for Reba to come out.’ I can’t believe it. We have wanted this for years, as long as we first stepped on that stage, this is what we wanted. Thank you, Jesus and Reba. Well, I was confused at first because I didn’t know whose voice that was, and then I saw Reba, and then I was like, ‘Is something going ON?’ [screams]” 

AUDIO: Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild talks about how seriously the band will take the responsibility of being Grand Ole Opry members.

LBT 1 (Opry tradition) OC: …incredible. :37
“It’s so much tradition and responsibility. I think we take it very seriously, that’s why I feel like, ‘Wow! I want to live up to this.’ This is incredible. I was really taking in tonight in our dressing room all the women that are on the wall, my dad and I. We were looking through all the pictures and just looking at Dolly [Parton] and Emmylou and Connie and Jeannie and Tammy and Patsy Cline. Man, if you’re a woman on this wall, you are the you-know-what. [laughs] I mean, that’s incredible.”

AUDIO: Little Big Town talk about Reba coming out to invite them to become members of the Grand Ole Opry.

LBT 2 (Reba) OC: [KIMBERLY] …look at her. :19
“[ALL] Reba!!! PHILLIP: I mean, she’s like the best stuff, you know?” KAREN: “I was dying when she came around the corner. I could not believe it.” PHILLIP: “Motorboatin’ real good.” KIMBERLY: “I couldn’t move. I couldn’t say anything. I couldn’t sing anything. I couldn’t look at her.”