Little Big Town is one of the most enduring vocal groups in country music, famous for four-part harmonies and chart-topping hits like "Girl Crush" and "Pontoon." While their music fills radio waves, fans often wonder about the personal dynamics behind the microphones. Specifically, people want to know how the four band members—Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook, Kimberly Schlapman, and Phillip Sweet—are connected offstage and who is married.
The band consists of two married couples, though not in the combinations some casual listeners expect. Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook are married to each other, while Kimberly Schlapman is married to engineer and bass player Steve Schlapman. Phillip Sweet is married to Rebecca Arthur. In short, all four members of Little Big Town are married, with two of them married to one another within the band.
Inside Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook's Marriage
Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook married in a private ceremony in Nashville in May 2006, after years of touring and developing deep professional and personal bonds. Their romance blossomed organically after the group formed in 1998, though they kept their relationship quiet at first to navigate the transition from bandmates to partners.
The couple shares a son named Elijah, born in July 2010. Balancing a demanding touring schedule with raising a family requires deliberate routines. They often speak about how music acts as a shared language that strengthens their bond rather than straining it. By bringing their family on the road with the band, they maintain a stable household even while playing arenas across the country.
Kimberly Schlapman and Steve Schlapman's Longstanding Partnership
Kimberly Schlapman married her husband, Stephen Schlapman, in 2006. Steve works behind the scenes in the music industry as an engineer and bass player, which gives him a unique understanding of the pressures and irregular hours that come with life in a major touring act.
The couple has two daughters: Daisy Pearl, whom they adopted in 2007, and Dolly Grace, born via surrogacy in 2017. Kimberly frequently shares candid stories about motherhood and balancing domestic life with country music stardom. She credits open communication and keeping a sense of humor as the primary pillars that keep their marriage strong through decades on the road. You can read more about their journey on the Official Little Big Town Website.
Phillip Sweet and Rebecca Arthur's Family Life
Phillip Sweet rounds out the quartet. He married graphic designer Rebecca Arthur in March 2007 in a rustic ceremony outside of Nashville. The couple met through mutual friends in the entertainment industry and welcomed their daughter, Penelopi Jane, in 2007.
Unlike his bandmates who share personal lives deeply intertwined with the group's public narrative, Sweet and his wife maintain a slightly lower profile outside of promotional cycles. Arthur manages a successful creative career while supporting Sweet during extensive tour legs. Their relationship demonstrates how members of high-profile music acts carve out distinct family identities away from the spotlight.
How the Band Balances Marriage and Touring
Sustaining four marriages while maintaining a relentless global tour schedule is no small feat. Country music history is littered with bands that fractured due to internal romantic tensions or the strain of constant travel. Little Big Town defies this trend by establishing clear boundaries and prioritizing family units on their tour buses.
- Onboard Family Space: The band converted tour logistics to accommodate children and spouses, ensuring nobody spends months at a time isolated from their partners.
- Scheduled Downtime: They deliberately block out weeks between tour legs to disconnect from the industry and live ordinary domestic lives in Nashville.
- Mutual Respect: Because three of the four members are married to people outside the industry or within it who understand the business, expectations around travel and media commitments are fully aligned.
For deeper insights into how Nashville artists manage career longevity, check out coverage from Rolling Stone Country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all members of Little Big Town married?
Yes. All four members—Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook, Kimberly Schlapman, and Phillip Sweet—are currently married.
Are Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook married to each other?
Yes. Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook married in 2006 and share a son, Elijah.
Who is Kimberly Schlapman married to?
Kimberly Schlapman has been married to Steve Schlapman since 2006. They have two daughters, Daisy and Dolly.
How long has Little Big Town been together?
The group officially formed in Nashville in 1998, releasing their debut studio album in 2002, and has maintained its original four-person lineup ever since.
Do the band members' children travel on tour?
Yes. During their early childhood years, the members' children traveled extensively on tour buses equipped with tutoring support and dedicated family areas.
