One of the Dorton Arena concerts I’m most excited about is with Lady Antebellum on Sunday, Oct. 19. (They’ll also be performing with Heidi Newfield…keep an eye on the blog for more on her new solo career next week.) And by the way, did I mention tickets are only $8?? Although die-hard “Lady A” fans have probably already done their homework, here’s a little background on the up and coming trio.
WHO: Hillary Scott (daughter of Grammy-winning country artist Linda Davis and accomplished musician Lang Scott), Charles Kelley (brother of singer-songwriter Josh Kelly, who recently tied the knot with Grey’s Anatomy star Katherine Heigel) and Dave Haywood (A University of Georgia grad). How’s that for Six Degrees of Separation, country style?
WHAT: Its first single of the self-titled debut album, Love Don’t Live Here Anymore, reached #4 on the country charts and was followed up by current single I’m Just Lookin’ For a Good Time.
WHEN: The band members first hung out at the Nashville home of Charles’ brother Josh in 2006. Since then, they’ve earned the 2008 Academy of Country Music award for “Top New Group” and toured with Martina McBride on her 2008 arena tour. You may have also caught the GAC special Introducing … Lady Antebellum, about their rise to fame.
WHERE: At a publicity shoot in front of an Antebellum-style mansion, Kelley said the group was struck with inspiration for their name. (You know they’re pretty good if they were already taking promotional shots before they’d even come up with a name.) “There’s not anything too terribly meaningful behind it,” Charles admits on the group’s Web site.
REVIEW: “Not only is this one of the best new-artist debuts in recent memory (think Dixie Chicks in 1998), Lady Antebellum’s self-titled set will go down as one of the year’s best, period. The singing/songwriting combination of Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and multi-instrumentalist Dave Haywood is fresh and mature. The trio’s unique vocal arrangement—Kelley’s blue-eyed soul leads on some songs, Scott effortlessly leads on others, and the two also duet—sets them apart. “Love Don’t Live Here” is driven by Kelley’s powerful vocal, while Scott shines on the defiant “Long Gone” and the romantic “Can’t Take My Eyes off You.” “All We’d Ever Need” and “I Run to You” finds the pair seamlessly intertwining in the tradition of Crystal Gayle and Gary Morris.” — Ken Tucker, Billboard.com
MORE: Check out the interview above with the group. I thought it was so interesting they attribute some of their success to the Internet, especially MySpace. I guess the State Fair is not the only one to figure out that social networking can be a great way to get in touch with people and spark excitement. Also, you can take a listen to the group’s newest single, Lookin’ For a Good Time, at the country blog Roughtstock.
Let us know what your favorite Lady A song is in the comments. . .
Loooooooooooove them!
“Lookin’ for a good time” is my favorite, but in all fairness, I don’t skip a single song on that album!
I’ve got my tickets ready!