Nashville, TN (Equity
Music Group) - Billboard Magazine has named Equity
Music Group recording artists
Little Big Town the Independent Artist of the Year for 2006, and their near-Platinum CD, The Road To Here, the Independent Album of the Year. The band tops the list of artists and albums in all genres, as reported in the year-end issue of the magazine.
'This is an extraordinary accomplishment for Little Big Town,' said Equity President Mike Kraski. 'To receive such recognition certainly validates what we at the label have felt about this act from the beginning. Their music knows no boundaries. For Billboard Magazine to name them the Independent Artist of the Year in any and all genres is a great honor and it's quite a big deal for a country act to accomplish this feat.'
Billboard's announcement capped a remarkable year for Little Big Town. The Road to Here, their debut album for the label, was certified Gold in early 2006, and is nearing Platinum. 'Boondocks,' the lead single from the album, resonated with listeners and almost instantly became one of the most downloaded singles of the early part of 2006, scoring a Gold Digital Certification for more than 100,000 sold in digital downloads. The band also had two No 1 videos at CMT for 'Boondocks' and 'Bring It On Home,' as well as Top 10 and Top 5 hits respectively for those songs.
Little Big Town accumulated its share of honors from trade organizations as well. On December 7th, the band received their first ever Grammy nominations with a pair of nods, one for Best Country Album for The Road To Here and the other for Best Country Performance By a Duo or Group With Vocal for 'Boondocks.' Also in 2006, the band received nominations from the CMA (Vocal Group of the Year and Horizon), as well as the Academy of Country Music (Top New Vocal Duo or Group and Top Vocal Group) and the CMT Music Awards (Group/Duo Video of the Year).
Little Big Town has toured with some of the most important names in the music industry this year, including Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney and rock superstar John Mellencamp, who was so pleased with the band's turn as his opening act, he asked them to perform on his new CD, set for release in early 2007. Little Big Town's vocal work can be heard on Mellencamp's song 'Our Country,' currently featured in Chevy's national advertising campaign. The group also performed the song with Mellencamp at Game Two of the World Series in Detroit.
Little Big Town will begin work on their new CD for Equity in early 2007, with a release date set for the fall. For more information on the band please visit www.littlebigtown.com.
