NEW ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Lady Antebellum
Robert L. Doerschuk
May 09, 2008
Though Country is the foundation for Lady Antebellum's music, other echoes rise and play above that bedrock. Yet they all fit together in ways that testify to these artists' ability to inspire and complement each other.
Their story begins with the friendship of Dave Haywood and Charles Kelley, who began playing music together as middle-school students in Augusta, Ga. Their paths separated when Kelley started playing drums in his older brother Josh's band, while Haywood pursued a career in accounting. In 2005, he answered Kelley's call to Nashville.
Hillary Scott, meanwhile, was already settled in Music City. The daughter of CMA Award-winning vocalist Linda Davis and musician Lang Scott, she grew up in the music business, performed on "The Linda Davis Family Christmas Show" while in high school and nearly sealed a solo artist deal. In true postmodern fashion, she encountered Kelley's music through his MySpace site, which led all three to connect and begin nurturing their collective talents.
Produced by Victoria Shaw and Paul Worley, Lady Antebellum's eponymous debut album on Capitol Records Nashville ranges from the dramatic power ballad "All We'd Ever Need" to the swagger and strut of "Love's Lookin' Good on You." All but one of the tracks were written by the group together or with other co-writers, and through them all, Scott and Kelley take turns in the solo vocal spotlight when not locking together in polished yet freewheeling harmonies. This combination feels right, sings tight and sounds ready to rock it 'til the morning light.
2008 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association®, Inc.
Their story begins with the friendship of Dave Haywood and Charles Kelley, who began playing music together as middle-school students in Augusta, Ga. Their paths separated when Kelley started playing drums in his older brother Josh's band, while Haywood pursued a career in accounting. In 2005, he answered Kelley's call to Nashville.
Hillary Scott, meanwhile, was already settled in Music City. The daughter of CMA Award-winning vocalist Linda Davis and musician Lang Scott, she grew up in the music business, performed on "The Linda Davis Family Christmas Show" while in high school and nearly sealed a solo artist deal. In true postmodern fashion, she encountered Kelley's music through his MySpace site, which led all three to connect and begin nurturing their collective talents.
Produced by Victoria Shaw and Paul Worley, Lady Antebellum's eponymous debut album on Capitol Records Nashville ranges from the dramatic power ballad "All We'd Ever Need" to the swagger and strut of "Love's Lookin' Good on You." All but one of the tracks were written by the group together or with other co-writers, and through them all, Scott and Kelley take turns in the solo vocal spotlight when not locking together in polished yet freewheeling harmonies. This combination feels right, sings tight and sounds ready to rock it 'til the morning light.
2008 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association®, Inc.
Print
Email
