By Corianne Egan

cegan@paducahsun.com

They started out as four people with big voices, hoping to be heard. Then there was a record deal, the string of hits, and the packed stadium gigs. Now, there’s a band on a pedestal singing country anthems for the world to hear.

“We have done a lot of living together,” said Karen Fairchild, a member of Little Big Town. “There were hard times, and there were beautiful times. That really shows in our music and what we have to say.”

As a band, Little Big Town’s sound and voice have both grown throughout its 12-year tenure. When the group takes the stage Friday at the Carson Center to sing hits like “Boondocks” and “Little White Church,” Fairchild, along with bandmates Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook and Phillip Sweet, will truly be connecting with their audience.

“Our music tends to inspire people,” Fairchild said. “Whether it’s in a fun or a serious way, we connect with the music we release. We don’t talk about it and plan our albums, we just do what sounds right.”

That connection and work ethic is what has led Little Big Town to release four successful albums featuring hits such as “A Little More You” and “Bring it on Home.” The band has put 12 songs on the Billboard top country chart, has headlined its own tour, and earned three Grammy nominations in the process.

“Even when you are dreaming you never plan for this type of success,” Fairchild said. “I hoped, but I never thought any of this would happen. Being a part of it is really amazing.”

Even with the success, the band continues to work on a sound that is all its own. While some songs are just pure fun, others strike a chord and have an edge to them, much like the band’s stage show.

“Our stage show is like our music,” Fairchild said. “It goes from high-spirited bluegrass, to country with a little rock mixed in, to a super broken-down acoustic set. It’s always energetic and exciting to talk about.”

After 12 years of trials and tests, within the band and in their personal lives, the four have grown up and developed their own distinct persona that sets them apart from the rest. But regardless of how grown up they are, they still know how to throw a party.

“We spend two hours a day having one big celebration on stage,” Fairchild said. “The other 22 hours of the day are just leading up to our shows. Trust me, it is just as much fun as it looks.”