Country music trio Lady Antebellum burst into the mainstream in 2010 with its hit song “Need You Now,” which snagged several Grammy nominations last year. Since then, the band has released two more best-selling albums with six number-one hits, proving it is no one-hit wonder. Country radio fans may be familiar with some of their other singles, including “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore” and “We Owned the Night.”
Lady A released its most recent record, “Own the Night,” this past September. The record sold 347,000 copies in the first week and continues to rock the charts. The new single, “We Owned the Night,” has claimed the number one spot on the country music charts, while also grabbing airtime on mainstream radio. It has also been nominated for the Grammy Awards’ “Best Country Album.” The group is currently touring around the United States to promote the CD.
The band formed in 2006 and two years later released its self-titled album. Lady Antebellum landed itself in the top spot on the country charts and sold over 43,000 copies of the record in the first week. Despite skepticism about a trio with two lead singers and a guitarist, the group quickly proved to be a smash.
Some country fans may judge the group’s music as overly “poppy,” but the chart success of all of their music lends to the idea that mainstream country can convert previous skeptics to the American-grown genre.
Another criticism that the band has received is that much of its music sounded the same. “Own the Night” provides a more accurate depiction of the band’s range in musical styles. The track “Cold As Stone” features an Irish flute, while “Singing Me Home” conveys a happy, beachy tone. The intro of “Friday Night” sounds like something straight out of the popular Rick Springfield song “Jessie’s Girl.”
Lucky for country fans of the Pioneer Valley, Lady Antebellum comes to the Mullins Center right in time for the conclusion of finals, on Dec. 15. Not only are the band’s singles popular, but it’s known to give a wonderful live performance as well, taking hints off fellow touring artists like Kenney Chesney and Keith Urban.
“The fans feed off your energy,” lead singer Charles Kelley said. “They see it on your face. So we’ve learned to let ourselves go on stage.”
Lady Antebellum offers the opportunity for its fan club members to submit a request for a meet and greet at each venue on the tour.
Opening acts for this show are Josh Kelley and Edens Edge. Josh Kelley’s claim to fame is “Georgia Clay,” currently promenading around country music stations everywhere. Edens Edge is another country trio, featuring Hannah Blaylock as lead vocalist and backup singers Cherrill Green and Dean Berner, who also have a knack for different instruments.
The tickets for the concert are available at the Mullins Center’s website or by phone through Ticketmaster. Ticket prices range between $33 and $43.
Acacia DiCiaccio can be reached at [email protected].
