From the moment they stepped onto the stage at Exeter City Park, Country music trio Lady Antebellum was in perfect harmony ñ with each other and the crowd.

The band bantered effortlessly with each other as they told the more than 2,000 people in attendance where they came up with the inspiration for their songs and their experience as 20-somethings living out their childhood dreams. But between the background and backstories was the sweet harmony of Hillary Scottís sultry alto, Charles Kelleyís gritty tenor and Dave Haywoodís musical undertones.

In less than two years, Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood and Hillary Scott have already earned ìTop New Groupî honors at the 2008 Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards. Theyíve watched their first single, ìLove Donít Live Here Anymore,î soar up the country radio charts, while its video has become a staple on CMT and GAC. Theyíve performed on the legendary Grand Ole Opry, served as the opening act on Martina McBrideís 2008 arena tour, and opened shows for Countryís biggest names, including Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson, Taylor Swift, Josh Turner, Phil Vassar, Rodney Atkins and Little Big Town.

Outlets like Billboard, Country Weekly, MSN Music and the Boston Globe included Lady Antebellum among their annual shortlists of artists to watch in 2008, and Nashville Lifestyles magazine flat-out called them ìthe next big thing.î

While ëLady Aí pays tribute to southern rock and classic country, they are definitely a modern band. Charles and Dave didnít meet Hillary until she happened to recognize Charles at a downtown Nashville music club from his Myspace page, not exactly the way youíd think a country band would meet.

Best friends since middle school, Charles and Dave had been playing music together for the better part of their lives. But it wasnít until a fateful summer two years ago that the boys from Augusta, Ga. would find the missing piece to their harmonious rise to fame.

Hillary, whose parents are Grammy-winning country artist Linda Davis and accomplished musician Lang Scott, struck up a conversation that ended in an agreement to collaborate with the guys.

Over the next few months, the three would lock themselves in a room each night and right until the next morning. The trio co-wrote 10 of the 11 songs on their self-titled debut album, impressive for such a young group of youthful musicians. All three agreed that they are equal parts songwriter, singer/musicians and performers.

ìThe writing is first and foremost,î Charles said. ìWe all love to write songs.î

ìItís another way to express our creativity,î Hillary said. ìYou work to find the right lyrics and then spend more time finding a better one.î

Their youth is actually their strength, writings songs about relationships. In Exeter, Lady A performed songs such as ìSlow Down Sister,î ìLong Gone,î ìHome Is Where The Heart Is,î ìAll Weíd Ever Needî and their top single ìLove Donít Live Here Anymore.î

ìWe arenít U2,î Charles said. ìWe donít know how to save the world yet. We are only in our 20s and write about things we have experienced.î

ìRelationships are something that everyone understands,î Hillary added. ìYou have friends, family, significant others. We are sharing real emotions that were felt and that put us in that place and time. I think you have to write about your own experiences otherwise it comes across fake. People tend to gravitate to music that they know is real and they can tell whatís real from whatís not.î

Most bands that find harmony like Lady Aís are either family groups, like the Judds, or long-time acts, such as Brooks and Dunn. Hilllary said they seemed to blend their harmonies from the trioís beginning at Charlesí brothers house one summer in Nashville.

ìIt didnít feel forced at all but more of a natural progression,î she said. ìThere was definitely something bigger that had a hand in it, almost like it was meant to be.î

Itís hard to pinpoint what their sound is because all of their influences range from southern rock, to classic rock. The common thread between the three is their love of vocal-driven groups, such as the Eagles, Allman Brothers, Glady Night and Pips, etc.

ìWe are really lucky to have gotten together so early,î Charles said.

ìThe writing, the harmonies, the blend of music, this is who we are and we knew that early on,î Hillary said.

Their harmonious beginnings have helped the band rise quickly in the often overly competitive world of country music. Their label, Capitol Records, signed the band in less than a year after it was formed on June 1, 2007.

ìWe were signed itís been non-stop since then,î David said. ìBut we are still humbled for the opportunity and donít want to take any of it for granted.î

ìIt was just luck that we were signed so quickly,î Hillary added. ìCapitol jumped on board and believed in us enough to feel like we were ready.î

Since making it big, Charles said the biggest adjustment from convincing bars and fairs to book you to winning awards on countryís biggest stage is being away from family.

ìWe are out of town a lot and it takes time just to get used to all the traveling,î he said. ìBut you donít really consider it hard work because you are doing what you love.î

ìItís hard to find time even to do my laundry,î Hillary added.

The band is as busy as would imagine having been anointed the ìnext big thingî in country music. They have 25 shows this month and 25 more next month. Exeter residents might feel like their small town was an unusual stop for a country band on its way up, but David said groups like Lady A get their starts doing county fairs in smaller towns throughout the Southeast and Midwest.

ìIf you have more than 900 people you are not the smallest place that we have played,î he said.

Ten years from now, remember July 1, 2008. It was the day when a rising star came through Exeter before positioning itself at the top of Country music.

Print this story

Email this story

Return to Index