Little Big Town's Karen Fairchild, photo courtesy of Equity Music Group

October 30, 2006--What's it really like during CMA Week? This year, Little Big Town is taking YOU to the CMA Awards! From now through the night of The 40th Annual Country Music Assocation Awards on Monday, November 6, LBT's Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Roads, Phillip Sweet and Jimi Westbrook are keeping a journal exclusively for GAC. Here's the first entry, from Karen:

Hey everyone!

We are excited that GAC asked us to share a bit of our world as we prepare for the CMA awards on November 6th. Besides getting the music ready, which is the most important thing, we are also getting the clothing ready for the red carpet and the performance.

The guys are fairly easy as far as that goes.....everything looks good on them, and they aren't too concerned about what they are wearing. We are fortunate enough now to be able to work with a stylist, Kim Perrett, and she is fantastic. We give her direction on what we are looking for, and then she takes off on the search. Since we are on the road all the time, shopping is next to impossible. (Although you all know, Kimberly and I love to shop).

We have had three fittings already, and we still have one to go. Kimberly found her dress on the first try. It is stunning, and the shoes are amazing. The guys are mostly finished, just a few last details. I, on the other hand, had a more difficult time for some reason. Being this is our first time to be nominated for a CMA award, I want to love what I am wearing and not settle. We have looked at so many dresses, you wouldn't believe it. We finally found something last week that I
really love. It is completely me and will allow me to be comfortable all night...otherwise I will fidget. Anyhow, enough about the clothing.

Being a part of the CMA night is a dream come true. A few years back, we felt like maybe our pursuit of a music career was futile. The journey from that moment of questioning to now being nominated for a CMA award is not fathomable. Just two years ago, we watched the show from our homes - not at all a part of the landscape of country music.

I remember Kimberly and I speaking on the phone that night, as I was fighting back the tears, discussing the reality of us ever being able to share our music on that stage. We just wanted the chance.

Wow...what a lesson of perseverance this has been for me personally. When you believe in something, stay focused and work really hard, you can see it all happen. There is purpose in everything, the good and the bad that happens along the way. I know there are those of you out there chasing a similar dream, and I want to encourage you to keep going. Don't ever give up. Right when you think about quitting is when it can all turn around. We are living proof.

Please know that we don't take any of this for granted. When we walk down the red carpet and take the stage to perform at the CMA's, we will be taking in every moment, cherishing every minute of this very sweet part of the journey.

Much love to all of you.....

Karen