Everything you need to know about Lady A
Get to know one of the biggest country bands on the planet!
When it comes to country music groups, you don't get much bigger than Lady A. Since forming in 2006, the group have sold an estimated 18 million albums, achieved 11 Number 1 singles with their infectious songs, and won multiple Grammy, Billboard and CMA awards.
They've also completed a highly successful Las Vegas Residency, been guests advisors popular talent show The Voice and have been inducted into the iconic music institution, the Grand Ole Opry. Want to find out more about Lady A and their meteoric rise to the top? Keep on reading...
Who are Lady A?
Lady A are an American country music group formed in 2006 by Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood. The multi-award-winning group are best known for their flawless harmonies and relatable lyrics, which have helped them to produce multiple mega-hits such as 'Need You Now', 'American Honey' and 'Just A Kiss'.
Who is in Lady A?
Lady A has three members - lead vocalists Hillary Scott, lead vocalist and guitarist Charles Kelley and guitarist Dave Haywood, who also sings backing vocals and plays piano and mandolin in the group.
Where are Lady A from?
Lady A was founded in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
How did Lady A get famous?
After moving to Nashville to pursue a career in music, school friends Charles and Dave met Hillary at a local club in 2006 and started to write songs and perform at dive bars together as Lady Antebellum. After being headhunted during one of their shows, the group signed a record deal with Capitol Records in July 2008.
Later that year, the group released their self-titled debut album which reached Number 1 on the Top Country Albums Chart and Number 4 on the Billboard Hot 200. The album sold 47,000 copies in its first week and they became the first country music group to have their debut album enter at the top of the Top Country Albums chart.
Lady A went on to win the Top New Duo or Vocal Group award at the Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards and were named New Artist of the Year at Country Music Association (CMA) Awards in 2008.
The following year the group released their second album, 'Need You Now' which catapulted them to even bigger heights. The album reached Number 1 on the Billboard Top 200 and the US Top Country Albums charts and was awarded a Grammy for Album Of The Year.
Now with 9 albums under their belt, Lady A's latest studio album release was 2021's 'What a Song Can Do' - which debuted at Number 3 on the Billboard Country charts.
What was Lady A previously called?
Lady A was previously called Lady Antebellum. The group decided to change the name in June 2020 as the word has connotations with the slavery era and refers to the period and architecture in the US South before the Civil War.
The group originally came up with the name Lady Antebellum during their first photoshoot together in 2006 where they were pictured in front of an antebellum-style house.
Career highlights
During their career, Lady A have won the CMA Awards Vocal Group of the Year trophies three years in a row as well as five Grammy Awards including Best Album, Record Of The Year and Best Record.
Las Vegas residency
Lady A embarked on a 15-date Las Vegas residency, titled the 'Our Kind of Vegas' tour, at the Palms Casino Resort’s Pearl Concert Theatre in late 2019. The trio were the first country act to headline the venue and ensured that every performance was unique by re-ordering the set list and inviting guest songwriters to join them onstage.
Grand Ole Opry
In January 2021, Lady A were inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, after playing at the legendary musical institute multiple times over the years. The country trio were officially invited to become members by singer-songwriter Darius Rucker during a taping for an upcoming NBC special celebrating the Opry's 95th anniversary.
LadyAID
Lady A have also established their own charity, known as LadyAID which offers support and brings awareness to numerous global initiatives, ranging from helping vulnerable children to societal and cultural issues to natural disaster aid and recovery. They have also established the LadyAID scholarship fund to support students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities and to help empower Black communities across the U.S.
How many albums have Lady A released?
To date, Lady A have released nine studio albums: 'Lady Antebellum' (2008), 'Need You Now' (2010), 'Own the Night' (2011), 'Golden' (2013), '747' (2014), 'Heart Break' (2017), 'Ocean' (2019) and 'What a Song Can Do' (2021), as well as their Christmas album 'On This Winter's Night' (2012).
Take a look at some upcoming country tours in the UK in 2024:
Here You Come Again (musical)
If you can't catch the iconic Dolly Parton live in person - then why not treat yourself to the next best thing? That's right, for the first time ever, all of the legendary country singer's biggest and best hits can be experienced in the new 'rollicking and joyous' musical comedy Here You Come Again! Featuring hits such as 'Jolene' and 'Islands In The Stream', the musical is touring the UK this year, and you can catch it in locations such as Birmingham, Sheffield, London, Glasgow, Norwich, Cheltenham, Woking, Salford, Bath, Milton Keynes, Blackpool and Liverpool - with dates running from now, all the way up to 7th December 2024. It is expected the musical will even continue into 2025, however these dates are yet to be confirmed.
Buy tickets here!
The Shires
The Shires have certainly treated the UK in 2024, bringing us a string of acoustic tour dates earlier this year - but there's still time to catch live shows from the country duo! From 20th September, The Shires will be touring the UK, with performances across the country running up until 26th October.
Buy tickets here!
Elles Bailey
Elles Bailey - a favourite on Absolute Radio Country's 'The Front Porch' with Baylen Leonard - will be heading on her biggest headline tour to date this Autumn, spanning 16 shows across the UK! The epic shows will see the genre-splicing roots singer perform songs from her new album 'Beneath The Neon Glow', starting in Lincoln Wednesday 25th September 2024. The tour will then take in shows in range of cities, including Cambridge, Bristol, London, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Wolverhampton, with the run ending in Leeds on Sunday 1st December.
Buy tickets here!
Chris Stapleton
October 2024 will see 'Tennessee Whiskey' legend Chris Stapleton head to the UK on his 'All-American Road Show' tour, in support of his latest album 'Higher'! The Country singer, famed for songs such as 'Daddy Doesn't Pray Anymore', 'Either Way' and 'Traveller' will be playing a series of headline arena shows around the UK and Ireland, starting from 16th October 2024, including stops at Manchester's AO Arena, Glasgow's OVO Hydro, Dublin's 3Arena, Birmingham's Utilita Arena and London's The O2 - featuring special guest Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives. Due to phenomenal demand, Chris added an extra date to the tour, serving as his final European show on the trek - with him now set to end the run at London's O2 on 24th October 2024.
Buy tickets here!
Koe Wetzel
Koe Wetzel is set to tour the UK in October and November 2024! His 'Damn Near Normal' tour will run from 26th October - 1st November 2024, and see his staple raw and energetic performances in cities like London, Glasgow, Birmingham, and Leeds.
Buy tickets here!
Brothers Osborne - 2025
Kicking off 2025 strong will be country rock duo Brothers Osborne, who are lined up to be heading to the UK & Ireland in January. The duo will be bringing us nine dates as part of their 'Might As Well Be Us World Tour', with John and TJ Osborne playing shows in Dublin, Belfast, Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Bristol and London in January 2025, from Friday 17th - Thursday 30th January, with support coming from Tyler Braden.
Buy tickets here!
Corey Kent
Rising country star Corey Kent is scheduled to captivate UK audiences in February 2025! Bringing his 'The Black Bandana Tour' across the pond, with his powerful vocals and heartfelt lyrics, Corey is set to perform in in cities like Belfast, Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, and London, from 2nd - 11th February 2025.
Buy tickets here!
Carly Pearce - 2025
The incredible Carly Pearce will be gracing the UK with tour dates in 2025! The singer's 'hummingbird' tour will be heading around the UK & Ireland throughout February 2025, beginning in London on 19th, before visiting Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Belfast, before culminating in Dublin on 28th. The tour supports Carly's fourth studio album, 'Hummingbird', which she released in June 2024.
Buy tickets here!
Country To Country 2025
Taking place at London's The O2, Glasgow OVO Hydro and Belfast SSE Arena on the weekend of Friday 14th to Sunday 26th March 2025, the world-renowned Country To Country Festival returns! The blockbuster line-up has been revealed for next year's country bonanza, with Lainey Wilson, Dierks Bentley and Cody Johnson serving as the headline acts. With other huge names like Dylan Gossett, Tyler Hubbard, Chayce Beckham and 'A Bar Song' icon Shaboozey joining the bill, check out the incredible Country To Country 2025 line-up here.
Buy tickets here!
Scotty McCreery - 2025
'Fall of Summer' star Scotty McCreery delighted fans with the news that he is returning to the UK with tour dates! You can catch the country star live in concert in May 2025, with dates starting in Belfast on 23rd May. Scotty will then travel through Glasgow, Birmingham and Manchester, before ending the run in London on 30th!
Buy tickets here!
The Long Road Festival 2025
August Bank Holiday 2025 will see the return of the three-day The Long Road Festival - celebrating the music, lifestyle and influences of Country! From Friday 22nd - Sunday 24th August 2025, the festival returns to Stanford Hall estate in Leicestershire with a range of incredible artists across the five stages.
Buy tickets here!
Do Lady A write their own songs?
While Lady A are known for their fantastic songwriting abilities, the trio has been known to co-write some of their songs with other songwriters and artists. For instance, 'Need You Now' was co-written by the trio and songwriter Josh Kear, whereas the song 'Alright' from their 'Ocean' album was co-written with the late singer-songwriter Michael Busbee.
Who has Lady A written for?
Lady A have written songs for a number of artists during their career including Luke Bryan's 'Do I', Hunter Hayes' 'Better Than This' and Miranda Lambert's 'Love Song'.
The Lady A members have also written songs for others individually. Hillary shares a writing credit for Sara Evan's chart-topper, 'A Little Bit Stronger' and Charles co-wrote the hit song 'Homegrown Honey' for Darius Rucker.
In 2007, Lady A also co-wrote the song 'Miles Away' for the popular reality TV show, 'The Hills'.
Lady A’s most famous songs
Over the years, Lady A have released award-winning tracks that have bagged them top spots on the charts over and over. From well-known beats such as 'I Run To You' and their Grammy Award winning 'Need You Now', to melodic songs such as 'Ocean', you can check out some of the band's biggest and most successful tracks right here.
Are Lady A related?
No, the members of Lady A are not related to each other, but they do have some famous family connections. Hillary Scott is the daughter of Grammy-winning country star, Linda Davis and is married to Chris Tyrrell, who used to be the drummer for country group Love & Theft but now drums for Lady A.
Charles on the other hand is the brother of pop singer Josh Kelley who is best known for his top 10 hits, 'Only You' and 'Amazing'.
Lady A have had a fantastic career to date and show no sign of stopping anytime soon. We're already counting down the days until their new album is released later this year!
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