Lady Antebellum Overview
The meteoric rise of Lady Antebellum into one of Nashville’s premier
vocal groups is the textbook definition of "overnight success." Most
overnight success stories are founded on years of toil and hard work and
unwavering perseverance. But shortly after friends Charles Kelley and
Dave Haywood moved to Nashville and teamed up with Hillary Scott, the
talented trio meshed instantly, and Music City was quick to notice—as
did
Rascall Flatts, who were summarily dethroned from their six-year reign as the CMA Vocal Group of the Year.
Origins and Early Musical Successes
The origins of Lady Antebellum began when friends, singer Charles
Kelley and multi-instrumentalist Dave Haywood, began writing music
together in Nashville in 2006. Kelley, who is the brother of
singer-songwriter, Josh Kelley, had moved to Nashville from
Winston-Salem, North Carolina to pursue a career in country music as a
solo artist. Prior to moving to Nashville, he had worked with his
brother, John, in construction. In Nashville, Kelley and Haywood, his
classmate at the University of Georgia, wrote music together.
Soon, Kelley and Hillary Scott, who is the daughter of country
singer, Linda Davis, and musician, Lang Scott, got to know each other
through the social networking website, MySpace. Scott, who had
previously received major-label interest, agreed to team up with Kelley
and Haywood. The trio began making music together under the name Lady
Antebellum.
Immediate Notice for the Group
Soon after forming, Lady Antebellum gained quick notice from the
Nashville music industry. They began performing around town, and the
positive buzz surrounding the group spread like wildfire, which resulted
in even higher-profile gigs around town. In 2007, just one year after
forming, Lady Antebellum made its recording debut as guest vocalists on
adult-contemporary singer, Jim Brickman’s, single, “Never Alone,” which
reached No. 14 on
Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart. Capitol
Records signed Lady Antebellum in July of 2007 and sent them directly
into the studio to record their debut album.
Debut Album Sizzles
Less than two years after forming, Lady Antebellum’s debut single,
“Love Don’t Live Here,” was released in September of 2007. A music video
for the song followed in December. The single climbed all the way to
No. 3 on
Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart in May of 2008. The group’s debut album,
Lady Antebellum, was released on April 15, 2008, and it became the first country album by a new duo or group to debut at No. 1 on
Billboard’s Top Country Album chart.
The group’s second single, “Lookin’ for a Good Time,” was released in
June of 2008. It peaked at No. 11 in December of 2008. The trio
achieved its first No. 1 country hit in July of 2009 with “I Run to
You.” The album,
Lady Antebellum, achieved platinum status with
the Recording Industry Association of America signifying shipments of
1,000,000 copies in the United States on October 7, 2009.
Lady Antebellum Gains Momentum
Released on August 24, 2009, Lady Antebellum’s fourth single, “Need
You Now,” was the lead-off single to their second studio album,
Need You Now. The single debuted at No. 50 on
Billboard’s
Hot Country chart and became the trio’s second No. 1 hit. In 2008, the
group took home the Academy of Country Music trophy for Top New Duo or
Group, as well as the Country Music Association (CMA) award for New
Artist of the Year. They also received a Grammy nomination in 2008 for
Best New Artist, while their single, “Love Don’t Live Here,” earned a
Grammy nomination in the Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group
category.
In November of 2009, Lady Antebellum upset six-time winner Rascall
Flatts in the CMA’s Vocal Group of the Year category. They also took
home the CMA award for Single of the Year for “I Run to You.”
Most Popular Lady Antebellum Songs
- “I Run to You”
- “Need You Now”
- “Love Don’t Live Here”
- “Lookin’ for a Good Time”
Lady Antebellum Discography
