On Thursday (June 11), country music trio Lady Antebellum took to social media to share a statement with their fans. After 14 years together, the group is changing their name.
Members Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley, and Dave Haywood said the band will now be called “Lady A.” The moniker is one that fans have often used as a nickname for them.
In their statement, Lady A shared the reason why they decided to change their name and why they originally chose it:
“When we set out together almost 14 years ago, we named our band after the southern “antebellum” style home where we took our first photos,” reads the statement. “As musicians, it reminded us of all the music born in the south that influenced us…Southern Rock, Blues, R&B, Gospel and of course Country. But we are regretful and embarrassed to say that we did not take into account the associations that weigh down this word referring to the period of history before The Civil War, which includes slavery. We are deeply sorry for the hurt this has caused and for anyone who has felt unsafe, unseen or unvalued. Causing pain was never our hearts’ intention, but it doesn’t change the fact that indeed, it did just that. So today, we speak up and make a change. We hope you will dig in and join us.”
They trio then explained why they picked “Lady A” as their new name:
“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 nickname our fans gave us almost from the start,” says the statement.
Read Lady A’s full statement on their name change below.
Dear fans… pic.twitter.com/7JlcH2NMl6
— Lady A (@ladya) June 11, 2020
Earlier this year, Lady A earned their tenth number one single with “What If I Never Get Over You” off of their album, Ocean. The song has since been certified Platinum by the RIAA.
The group’s current single, “Champagne Night” was released to country radio in April.