Little Big Town Star Kimberly Schlapman's Husband 'Takes a Back Seat' So She Can Succeed
Kimberly Schlapman is one busy woman.
Not only is she one-fourth of the hit band, Little Big Town, but she’s also a wife and a mom to two adorable children. On top of all of that, she’s also taking time to advocate for women in country, who have experienced a downward trend in how often their music is played on the radio.
“It just slowly became the norm that there were no women, so that’s what people became used to,” Kimberly, 53, tells CountryLiving.com.
One of the ways Kimberly and her bandmate Karen Fairchild are addressing the problem is by mentoring up-and-coming singer Ingrid Andress through the Five Decades One Voice program with Cracker Barrel. After all, Kimberly became successful in part thanks to other female artists like Martina McBride who helped her out along the way.
Though she’s lucky to have so many ladies to turn to in her life, one of her biggest advocates and supporters is actually her husband, Stephen, whom she married in 2006. Kimberly was previously married to Steven Roads, who passed suddenly of a heart attack in April 2005. Stephen helped support her during that difficult time, and the two are each other’s rock still today.
“My husband is amazing. He has given me the foundation to live out my dreams,” she says. “His life kind of revolves around my schedule and everything that’s going on with me, and unfortunately he takes a back seat.”
That often means lending a major hand with their daughters, Daisy, 16, and Dolly, 6, so that Kimberly can focus on her music.
“His support of me, it’s kind of opposite of what the old social expectations were where the man goes to work and the mama stays at home. I am the one who has the business and he is the one who is often Mr. Mom and taking care of everything,” she says. “I cannot praise him enough for what he’s done for me and our family.”
Together, they are raising Daisy and Dolly to “have the confidence and belief in themselves” to do whatever they want in life.
“If they want to be president that’s possible, or if they want to own one of the big businesses, even if their dream is to be a mom, then be the greatest, baddest mama you can possibly be,” she says. “We just want to give them the courage and the strength that whatever they dream up is right at their fingertips.”
Though we don’t have the secret to meeting a man as supportive as Stephen, we do have an idea of how you can make a difference for women in country.
“Call the radio stations, call email, text, however you can get to the radio stations and tell them you want to hear women,” Kimberly says. “That’s it. If the people rise up and cause a little ruckus then they’ll be heard.” Of course, another great way to support female artists is to vote for them for awards. This year Kimberly, along with her bandmates, will host the People's Choice Country Awards, where fans get to decided who brings home each honor.
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