Lady A reflects on the highlights and low points of their career in country music. They are widely regarded as one of the most accomplished country groups, having received numerous awards from organizations such as the CMA, ACM, and Grammy Awards over their nearly two-decade tenure as a band.
The story of how they met is quite common: Hillary Scott saw Charles Kelley at a bar and remembered him from his Myspace profile. This happened back in the early 2000s when Myspace was popular. In a recent episode of Taste of Country Nights, they discuss their journey in the music industry and how much they have achieved in a short amount of time.
I inquired the group to share with me their most memorable and challenging experiences in the country music industry. Their responses were impressive. Kelley was the first to answer.
"When we had the opportunity to perform at the CMAs for the first time, we sang 'Love Don't Live Here.' It was a moment where I felt like 'Wow, this is actually happening,' and I don't think I'll ever forget that feeling." He shares.
Scott also had a cherished memory that he held dear.
Her favorite memory is when they were invited to join the Grand Ole Opry.
Dave Haywood supported Scott's response by adding his agreement to it.
The first time we performed at the Opry was a special moment for us because our families all gathered in town to support us. It was an emotional experience that left us feeling amazed.
However, there have been challenges along the way. Kelley remembers a specific day that stands out as one of the worst, when they found themselves stranded on what should have been a great day.
"Ugh, I just found out that 'Run to You' reached the top spot on the charts, but at the same time, our bus broke down on the side of the road."
Scott recalls a very difficult day when she and her group, along with many other artists in country music, found out about the passing of producer and Lady A co-writer Busbee. She describes it as a particularly heartbreaking moment.
Haywood recalls a difficult moment in country music when Kelley unintentionally struck Scott in the mouth with the microphone, a mishap that did not involve him personally.
Scott described how Charles Kelley accidentally hit his lip while they were at the San Antonio Rodeo on a rotating stage. Their positioning caused Charles' elbow or wrist to collide with Scott's microphone, which then struck his lip.
"Before I knew it, we were singing 'Need You Now'," she goes on to say, "and it was like a dramatic moment… we were really getting into the performance when he suddenly said, 'You have blood on your teeth.'"
The three members of Lady A found this story funny, suggesting that it may now be a cherished memory. You can listen to the complete interview, without any edits, on the Taste of Country Nights podcast. Simply search for it on your preferred podcast platform.
Evan Paul hosts a radio show called Taste of Country Nights that is broadcast on over 120 country radio stations across the country. The show airs every evening from 7PM to midnight and features the latest new country music along with interviews with popular artists such as Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Dan + Shay, and many more.
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