Little Big Town is talking about group members Jimi Westbrook‘s recent vocal cord surgery, and they say it’s something he was struggling with for a long time. Kimberly Schlapman toldCountry Countdown USA‘s Lon Helton, “It had been happening over the past few months where he would sing, but then he would save his voice and try not to talk. We all hoped that would help it get better, but it never got better. So when he went in, the doctor said, ‘You’ve got to have surgery, or you’re just not gonna be able to continue at all.”
Phillip Sweet said Jimi sought the advice of another singer who underwent vocal cord surgery. He said, “A lot of other singers have been in the same position, and I think Jimi confided inKeith Urban, who had been down that road, and he said it was the best thing he’d done, and now he sings better than ever, and so Jimi was encouraged by Keith and went forward. I think it’s gonna be the best thing for Jimi. For the longterm of Little Big Town, this is the best thing.”
Jimi remains on voice rest through the end of the month.
FAST FACTS
- Little Big Town’s next scheduled tour date is at the Delaware State Fair on July 31st.
- The group’s latest single, “Girl Crush,” recently set an all-time chart record after spending 11 consecutive weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
(The Pulse of Radio)
04/01/2012 – Little Big Town – 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards – Arrivals – MGM Grand Garden Arena – Las Vegas, NV, USA – Keywords: Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook, and Phillip Sweet Orientation: Portrait Face Count: 1 – False – Photo Credit: PRN / PR Photos – Contact (1-866-551-7827) – Portrait Face Count: 1
