Lady A

There’s no better illustration of Lady A's captivating, chart-dominating chemistry than their colossal hit “Need You Now”, a smouldering anthem of late-night redemption that balances meticulous musical craftsmanship, glittering pop savvy and emotional gravitas. It’s a formula that propelled Hillary Scott, Charles Kelly and Dave Haywood—who were formerly known as Lady Antebellum, but changed their name in 2020 because of its associations with slavery—to megastardom. The trio formed after a few songwriting sessions in 2006, then connected with veteran producers Victoria Shaw (of Garth Brooks) and Paul Worley (of the Dixie Chicks) for their self-titled full-length in 2008. People took immediate notice of their brand of good-time country-pop, as well as their rare lineup of one woman and two men, netting them the first-ever debut album to top Billboard country charts. But it was “Need You Now”, their lead single from the follow-up of the same name, that minted Lady A as superstars. With richly harmonised hooks, pristine production and earnest storytelling, the group became a soulful staple of country and rock radio for most of the 2010s. After a short hiatus in 2015 that saw solo projects from Scott and Kelley, they reunited two years later with a long-running Las Vegas residency and a string of ambitious releases that continued to blur the lines between country and contemporary pop.