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:
Morgan Wade - March
The spectacular Morgan Wade will be heading to the UK & Ireland in 2025, as part of 'The Obsessed Tour' - which will also see her perform around Europe. Playing four huge shows throughout the UK & Ireland, the 'Time to Love, Time to Kill' singer will be performing her largest UK headline show to date at the O2 Forum Kentish Town in London on 25th March 2025, before calling at Manchester's Albert Hall on 26th, Whelan's in Dublin on 27th, then finishing at the O2 Academy Glasgow on 30th.
Buy tickets here!
Highways Festival 2025 - May
The beloved Highways Festival is of course returning for 2025! Building on the success of previous editions, Highways 2025 is set to take place over two unforgettable days - Friday 16th May and Saturday 17th May. The festival, taking place at London's Royal Albert Hall this spring, will feature two exclusive European solo performances by the multi-award-winning Eric Church, with special guests including Molly Tuttle, Caylee Hammack and Bella White. Celebrating incredible country and Americana music, this year's Highways will serve as the first and only time Eric's residency show 'To Beat The Devil' will travel to Europe.
It has also now been announced that Charles Wesley Godwin is final addition to the main auditorium. Charles is set to redefine the Highways festival experience on Saturday night with his soulful lyrics and incredible stage presence.
Buy tickets here!
Scotty McCreery - May
'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!
Hardy - June
Country rock superstar Hardy will play his first-ever headline UK and Ireland tour this summer! The shows are part of his multi-continent JIM BOB World Tour, with the string of dates on this side of the pond kicking off at Birmingham O2 Academy on Wednesday 23rd June 2025. From there, he'll then bring shows to London O2 Academy Brixton, Manchester O2 Victoria Warehouse, Glasgow O2 Academy and Belfast Waterfront Hall before concluding at Dublin National Stadium on Thursday 3rd July 2025.
Buy tickets here!
Zach Bryan - June
We're set to see TWO huge shows from 'Pink Skies' superstar Zach Bryan in June 2025, with the singer headlining American Express presents BST Hyde Park on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th. With a full line-up set to be announced still, the Saturday show is now sold-out, with tickets still available for Sunday.
Buy tickets here!
Noah Kahan at American Express presents BST Hyde Park - July
The wonderful Noah Kahan revealed that he will be returning to the UK in 2025 for a huge headline gig! The chart-topping 'Stick Season' singer is set to headline BST Hyde Park, in London, on 4th July - with special guest Gracie Abrams, famed for hits such as 'I Love You, I'm Sorry' and 'That's So True'!
Buy tickets here!
Neil Young at American Express presents BST Hyde Park - July
Also playing a headline set at the iconic festival is Neil Young. Headlining a show at American Express presents BST Hyde Park on Friday 11th July, with his band The Chrome Hearts. Find out more about Neil Young's BST Hyde Park performance.
Buy tickets here
The Long Road Festival 2025 - August
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!
Grand Ole Opry - Autumn
Hold on to your cowboy hats, as for the first time ever, the Grand Ole Opry is going international! Celebrating the 100th anniversary, the Grand Ole Opry will be heading to the UK - officially staging a performance outside of the US for the first time ever, traveling to London's famous Royal Albert Hall in London. With the date yet to be confirmed, we do know it'll take place in the Autumn on 2025.
But that's not the only thing we can expect from the show's big 100th birthday - check out our guide all of the Opry 100 celebrations.
Midland - September
Midland - comprising of Mark Wystrach, Jess Carson and Cameron Duddy - will be taking on four dates across the UK on their 2025 tour, in London, Manchester, Belfast and Glasgow. Midland's UK tour 2025 will take place throughout September - beginning at London's Roundhouse on Tuesday 2nd, and ending at Glasgow's O2 Academy on Saturday 6th.
Buy tickets here!
Riley Green - September
After dropping teases here and there, 'you look like you love me' singer Riley Green delighted fans with a series of upcoming UK & Ireland tour dates! His 'Damn Country Music Tour' will see the hitmaker perform in locations including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Belfast and Dublin in September, with the dates running from Thursday 11th to Friday 19th.
Buy tickets here!
Darius Rucker with special guests Jake Owen and The Shires - September
The incredible Darius Rucker is heading back to the UK in 2025! Not only that, but he's bringing very special guests Jake Owen and The Shires with him too. Performing in Belfast, Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester and London, shows will run from Monday 29th September 2025 through to Sunday 5th October.
Buy tickets here!
Kane Brown - October
'What Ifs' country singer Kane Brown delighted fans when he announced some UK dates for his current tour! 'The High Road Tour' will be gracing our shores for four dates in the UK in October - running from Sunday 5th October to Friday 10th October, appearing in cities including Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester and London, gracing the world-famous OVO Arena Wembley. Find out more about Kane Brown's UK tour dates here.
Buy tickets here!
Dasha (supporting Kane Brown) - October
Supporting Kane Brown for his UK shows of his 'The High Road Tour' 2025 will be none other than Dasha! The 'Austin (Boots Stop Workin')' megastar will be opening for Kane at his UK dates - with Dylan Schneider also being announced as a special guest.
Buy tickets here
Old Dominion - October
American country group Old Dominion are heading to the UK for a trio of dates! Following a cryptic tease of locations on Instagram, the band soon revealed that the UK leg of their 'How Good Is That' world tour will be starting in London, on Wednesday 29th October 2025, followed by Manchester on Thursday 30th, before ending in Glasgow on Friday 31st October. Support for the UK shows is yet to be revealed.
Buy tickets here!
Tyler Childers - November
Mark your diaries, as Tyler Childers will be bringing an unforgettable show to the UK in 2025! The 'All Your'n' singer will be performing at The O2 in London on Saturday 15th November 2025, with the announcement coming as a surprise to fans here across the pond. The special performance will mark Tyler's first headline show at the famous 20,000-capacity O2 Arena.
Buy tickets here!
Here You Come Again (musical) - 2025
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 were experienced in the new 'rollicking and joyous' musical comedy Here You Come Again! After an incredible run in 2024 - which saw the show feature hits such as 'Jolene' and 'Islands In The Stream' - it is expected the musical be continuing in 2025, however these dates are yet to be confirmed.
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!
Read more:
Ashley McBryde: The country girl with a killer voice
Everything you need to know about music icon Dolly Parton
13 of Morgan Wallen's biggest songs of all time
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