Lady Antebellum’s album and songs are topping charts around the world, and in December they announced their new children’s global charity, LadyAID.
CMA surprised the group recently with the CMA International Artist Achievement Award, and here are the excerpts from an exclusive CMA Close Up interview:
What does this award mean to you?
Hillary Scott: “This year especially, being able to take our tour to Europe and then to Australia, and meet even more of our fans all over the world, and to take Country Music that far, we don’t take that lightly. We really, truly do want to make this town and the Country Music community proud when we go overseas and perform.”
Charles Kelley: “As we keep building this broader fan base, hopefully we can raise even more funds for causes we’re passionate about. …. And (CMA CEO) Steve Moore has seriously led by example. The three of us have been a part of a lot of the things he’s involved in, and he definitely encouraged us to keep chasing after this. To have this collective effort and to have CMA behind us too is pretty cool.”
Dave Heywood: “We feel the love. We feel a lot of support from Nashville. But it’s not about us. It’s about bringing awareness and help to all those charities and organizations we’re involved with and will be involved with as it grows.”
How does Country’s international growth help LadyAID, your charity that benefits children worldwide?
Scott: “It brings a bigger overall sense of awareness outside of our borders. We are so proud and thankful to be from this country, but there are so many people outside of this country that really need help and attention and love.”
Kelley: “We’re all interconnected now, more than we’ve ever been. … As the world keeps becoming so much more connected, our efforts need to be more global.”
Why does Country Music speak to so many people around the world?
Scott: “It’s about stories of real life. It doesn’t matter where you’re from. We all live and breathe to love and feel love and to enjoy our lives and have fun. That is universal. That is not just bound to one part of this world.”