In 1998, the popular country music group Little Big Town (comprised of Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet, Jimi Westbrook and Karen Fairchild) formed and released its first album Little Big Town in 2002. Shortly after putting out their debut record, members Phillip Sweet and Karen Fairchild both divorced their respective spouses. Eventually, true love took root and blossomed between LBT’s Jimi Westbrook and the newly single Karen Fairchild. Karen Fairchild is now 53 years old (born September 28, 1969) and hubby Jimi Westbrook is 51 years old (born October 20, 1971).
The talented couple married on May 31, 2006, during an quiet ceremony in Nashville— so quiet that the public didn’t know they got hitched until two months after the wedding. Nearly four years later, Jimi and Karen welcomed their son Elijah Dylan Westbrook into the world on on March 5, 2010.
“I think Jimi and I had a special friendship and connection that blossomed when we were both single,” Karen explained in a 2010 interview with Us Weekly. “Sometimes you just have to cross that line and take a chance and when we had that opportunity we did. Of course we didn’t want to mess up the band but we decided it was worth the risk.”
Listen to Jimi talk making things happen with Karen below!
Audio Transcript:
JIMI: “We were in the band a long time before there was ever anything which is interesting. I think there was always something underlying there that we were kind of trying to ignore. And then when the opportunity came, when all of us, ended up single kind of at the same time, a very strange turn of events for the band in a lot of different ways. And those feelings, you were able to come out with them finally. It was like, we’re single. Let’s get together. And, you know, she has a beautiful heart and she’s absolutely gorgeous and I just love her dearly.”
PHILLIP: “Get a room!” [laughs]
KIMBERLY: “They’re a perfect match. They really are. They were meant to
Enjoy some of their cutest recent family and couple moments below!
The band has been through a lot as a unit— divorces, marriages, children, vocal issues, etc. At one point LBT was on the brink of dissolving after Kimberly tragically lost her first husband Steven Roads to a heart attack in 2005.
We’re thrilled that this quartet has remained so true to each other and has even spawned off one really beautiful marriage. We wish Jimi Westbrook and Karen Fairchild the best as they enjoy their 17th year of wedded bliss!
Share this closer look at Jimi Westbrook and Karen Fairchild with other Little Big Town fans!
