Image Source: Lady A Facebook
In a statement released on social media, the Grammy award winning country trio have made the decision to drop Antebellum from their band name, instead opting to go forward as Lady A. The word itself refers to the period and architecture of the pre-civil war period in the southern region of the USA. This decision comes after large protests have taken place throughout the United States, and the world, after the murder of George Floyd.
In the statement, the band - made up of Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood - said the decision comes after a period of “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.”
"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," the band continued in their 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.”
The band concluded the statement saying that they 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."