The multi-platinum co-ed group, Lady A has made 2021 their year and are continuing to make waves out of Nashville every day that goes by. If you’ve stood by the “Need You Now” musicians over the last decade – you understand that Hillary Scott, Dave Haywood, and Charles Kelley‘s actions have paved a path to a welcoming, accepting, and inclusive country music community.
Lady A as a whole have become trailblazers and leaders within the industry. However, it was the recent shift in our country that encouraged Lady A to take action, demand change, and become one of many driving forces to actually make a difference.
While many individuals stormed the streets to protest police brutality and fight for racial equality, several others turned to educational resources to learn or even reevaluate their previous actions. At the height of the Black Lives Matter movement, the progressive country group decided to shorten their name to Lady A, given the ties between the term “Antebellum” and the deep south pre-war era.
“After much personal reflection, band discussion, prayer, and many honest conversations with some of our closest black friends and colleagues, we have decided to drop the word “Antebellum” from our name and move forward as Lady A,” the group shared on social media. “We will continue to educate ourselves, have hard conversations and search the parts of our hearts that need pruning – to grow into better humans, better neighbors. Our next outward step will be a donation to the equal justice initiative through LadyAID. Our prayer is that if we lead by example…with humility, love, empathy, and action…we can be better allies to those suffering from spoken and unspoken injustices while influencing our children and generations to come.”
As the award-winning trio fight for equality and justice in the United States, they lend a helping hand in several other ways. One of many of their main philanthropic initiatives is to help vulnerable children and provide them with a better tomorrow. The LadyAID Fund works with several leading organizations such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, My Life Speaks, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Boys & Girls Clubs, and more.
While Lady A juggles giving back to the community and making music, Hillary Scott decided to combine her love for songwriting and activism. Within a short amount of time, her upbeat and playful track “Like A Lady” was born. The recent release is a women empowerment anthem that landed the confident and relatable vocalist on the 2021 Dress For Success “Your Hour, Her Power” campaign list of groundbreaking women leaders.
The non-profit empowers females to achieve economic independence and provides a network of support, business professional attire, and development tools to help women thrive in a work environment.
“I was honored to be a part of the list of other women,” says Scott in media session. “When I saw the article come out and I was looking at all of these CEOs of these huge tech companies, I’m like ‘wow, I’m so humbled to be included in this group.’”
As we all know – what goes around, comes around. Therefore, the universe rewarded the group with an ACM nomination! Celeb Secrets Country sat down with the country music band to hear what the award means to them.
“I mean, we are in such incredible company. This category is just – dare I say, one of the most competitive. Also, there are some of the most incredibly kind, closest friends in the industry and so it’s always so special to be included,” Hillary Scott told CSC host Tiffany Goldstein.
The leading lady, Hillary Scott continued to share why the Academy of Country Music Awards remains one of their biggest achievements thus far. “The ACMs holds a really special place in our hearts. I know we’ve said this so many times, but it’s the first award we ever won was an ACM. So, this show and just how incredible they have been to us over the years – we’re just always very grateful to be included,” she adds.
Lady A is in the running for “Group of The Year” and will be going head to head with Little Big Town, Old Dominion, The Cadillac Three, and The Highwomen. The 56th annual Academy of Country Music Awards will air Sunday, April 18 @ at 8/7c on CBS and Paramount+.
Celeb Secrets Country loves to see a powerful band out of Nashville sparking difficult, yet necessary conversations and carving the way for generations to come. Check out the full interview with the country music trio below and let us know what you think by leaving a reaction below or tweeting us at @CS_Country.
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