LITTLE BIG TOWN NAME THEIR FAVORITE SWIMMING HOLES. (ARTICLE)

Top 10: Little Big Town’s Favorite Swimming Holes

August 13, 2012 | By Caroline McKenzie |

“Out here in the open. Mmmmmmm…motorboatin.’” No question about it. This summer’s anthem is Little Big Town’s hit “Pontoon.” Since the temperature creeped up hot enough to sport a swimsuit it’s been blaring from boats and docks across the South. (A certain Southern Living editor may have even played it on repeat as she sat at her desk daydreaming about weekends at the lake.)

With its edgy rifts and smooth lyrics it celebrates some of the things we hold most dear down here below the Mason-Dixon–still waters, over-flowing coolers and long, lazy summer days.

And with an upcoming album release, this country group–made up of Southern natives Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook, and Phillip Sweet–plans to keep us rocking right on into fall. Tornado, their fifth studio album, hits stores on September 11th. In celebration of their smash single and new album we asked them to share their list.

Here’s their Top 10 Favorite Swimming Holes:

1) Lake Lanier, Georgia
“I spent my childhood summers on black inner tubes on Lake Lanier. I have the best memories of that time of my life. ”–Karen

2) Percy Priest Lake, Tennessee
“We shot the video for Pontoon in Percy Priests’ Party Cove. This is also where I like to sneak away for a quick fishing trip when I have a chance.” –Jimi

3) Lake Rabun, Georgia
“This is where I first learned to water ski. How could it not be special? Plus they have an annual Fourth of July wooden boat parade.” –Kimberly

4) Lake Thunderbird, Arkansas
“Growing up I spent my summers on Lake Thunderbird. My favorite part? Tubing behind a pontoon boat.” –Phillip

5) Chattahoochee River, Alabama/Georgia/Florida
“There’s a reason Alan Jackson wrote a song about it. Nothing is better than a lazy afternoon floating down the Chattahoochee.” –Karen

6) Smith Lake, Alabama
“I grew up going to this lake with my family. It is definitely where I first experienced the joys of ‘pontooning.’” –Jimi

7) Lake Hartwell, Georgia/South Carolina
“My family spends long weekends on Lake Hartwell camping out, roasting marshmallows and jumping off the back of the pontoon boat. Just because we want to.” –Kimberly

8) Spring River, Arkansas/Missouri
“My brothers and I have done a lot of river rafting and canoeing on Spring River near our home in Northeast Arkansas. It comes from Mammoth Spring, which is the largest natural water spring in the state.” –Phillip

9) Sliding Rock, North Carolina
“Kimberly and I spent many a summer day while in college sliding down these incredibly steep and slick rocks. We were daredevils back then!” –Karen

10) Fort Loudon Lake, Tennessee
“Where I first joined the Vol Navy—by way of a pontoon!” –Kimberly

Tornado hits stores September 11th. Follow Little Big Town on Twitter @lbtmusic or Facebook.