The set featured three video screens, a long ramp out into the crowd, and an oval, raised in the back with an "inner circle" crowd area.
Lady Antebellum
February 22, 2012, Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, TN
Photos: IzzyNashville.com
Hillary, Charles and Dave, working the crowd.
Backstage
“Coming up out of the lift at the start of the show, is my favorite part,” said Lady A’s Charles Kelley during an exclusive MusicRow interview with the trio before their Nashville show. “The energy is so outrageous, so addictive. I always take out one of my ear monitors to hear the crowd.”
During my last meeting with Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood about eight months ago, there were a lot of career questions on their minds. A new album was queued up for launch, they were focused on conceiving their first headline tour, and basking in the glow from recent multiple Grammy wins, but quietly wondering if there would be more.
No matter what yardstick you use, things have measured up smartly. The first two singles from Own The Night went No. 1 (“Just A Kiss” “We Owned The Night”), the new album is Platinum+, just won a Grammy and the International tour has already enjoyed nine consecutive sold out dates. “Yeah, we have to stop worrying so much,” laughed Charles when I remarked that the fans had answered all three questions in glowing terms.
“We feel blessed to have had so many dreams come true,” Hillary reflected. “But being able to fill an arena takes the cake in a lot of ways. It’s happened so fast. People ask us in interviews, ‘When is the moment where you feel like you’ve made it?’ For me, this is it.”
“Yes, we were working through all this stuff in the Fall,” Dave added. “But now we’ve hit a stride. I never thought we’d be able to fill those entire arenas with 10-14,000 people. Onstage is a different energy as opposed to the studio. It’s unlike anything we’ve ever felt before including Award show performances, etc. When people spend their hard-earned money to come out and are singing along it makes us feel so fortunate.”
The enticing aroma of steaks sizzling on a grill suddenly entered our space. Everyone kind of noticed it at once. “Yeah, it’s the same catering service that Martina McBride used when we were on our very first tour,” Dave said proudly. “Ever since then we knew we had to get them.”
Haywood, standing on a piano, leans into his Telecaster on "Just A Kiss."
“So what would you tell other Nashville artists, that aren’t yet headlining, about this experience?” I asked.
“Try to soak up the whole journey,” offered Charles. “There’s times I miss having one of those ‘can’t wait till it happens’ moments. Because after it does happen, it’s bittersweet. There is something about the innocence of being new and starting to hit those milestones. There were times when we were so involved we didn’t realize what an amazing journey we were going through.”
“And document,” said Hillary. “We’ve done that from the very beginning. It ends up being this beautiful video diary you might like to look back on and show your kids someday. It doesn’t matter what speed your career is at, you don’t process it fully while it is happening.”
While Lady A’s career has been moving in high gear, so has the changes in their personal lives. Hillary Scott was recently married and Dave Haywood is now engaged. “We’ve actually been going through this for several years,” says Dave. “Charles has been married a while and Hillary and Chris were dating all last year. We all put our personal lives first.”
“Our definition of putting our personal lives first looks a lot different than someone who has a normal 9-5 where they drive home and sleep in their own bed every night,” smiles Hillary, whose new husband Chris is currently playing drums on the tour. “But we’re thankful that at this time in our career we have the means to make it comfortable for everyone. When Charles and Cassie got married a few years ago we were all in one bus—12 of us—and she would have to fly in and out of cities because there was no room.”
The Show
Suddenly it was showtime. The three video screens showed each Lady A member primping and doing last minute “get-readys” in their dressing rooms. Moments before the lights dimmed and the videos began, they pumped the crowd with a “Shake It 2 Make It” dance teaser offering 2 tickets to the inner circle for the best dancers. The crowd rose to the occasion as the hot dance tracks played and video cameras put the action up on the screens.
But now it was all about the trio, their fans and specially invited radio programmers who were in town for the Country Radio Seminar. As Charles had predicted, the roar of the crowd was loud as the band rose up through center stage and launched into, “We Owned The Night.”
The show included a healthy offering of new songs and previous favorites. It’s incredible to realize the number of hits this band has amassed in the relatively short time they have been together. The night’s biggest challenge was the venue itself, the Municipal Auditorium. Its large round dome shape makes contouring the sound an engineer’s nightmare.
A special highlight was the stripped down acoustic interlude where the band members and musicians walked out the long ramp into the crowd and played around a mic. It was also a moment when Lady A invited supporting acts Darius Rucker and Thompson Square to jam. But there were more surprises to come. Luke Bryan pleased an excited crowd by singing “Do I.” (Hillary sang on Bryan’s record; Charles and Dave were co-writers on the song). Next, Sara Evans made a surprise appearance to sing “Stronger,” which Hillary Scott co-wrote.
The show moved back onto the main stage and gained momentum. Later, when the crowd called them out for a final encore, Lady A performed its signature song, “Need You Now.”
What makes this trio musically indelible? Well, certainly it is the instantly recognizable vocal blend of Charles and Hillary. Yes, it’s also the material they sing, much of which they write together. And yes, Dave Haywood’s musical contributions add depth and character. But maybe, above all else, it is the sensitive way the trio carries itself onstage, like three strands woven into a single tapestry. They care about each other and their fans. And it shows—all night long.
Backstage before the concert, (L-R) Dave Haywood, Hillary Scott, writer David Ross and Charles Kelley. Photo: Adam Boatman
Alan Jackson Breaks San Antonio Rodeo Attendance Record
/by Sarah SkatesAlan Jackson and The Strayhorns. Photo: Laurie Rush Photography
Alan Jackson’s Thursday night (2/23) performance at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo broke the event’s all-time attendance record. He attracted 17,000 fans, the most since the rodeo’s inception in 1950.
“The San Antonio Rodeo has welcomed me for a lot of years and it’s one of my favorite places to play,” says Jackson. “The rodeo and folks in Texas have always been good to me and I want to thank the fans for coming out to see us all these years.” It was his fifteenth time to play the rodeo, held this year at the AT&T Center.
Jackson’s current single, “So You Don’t Have to Love Me Anymore,” is climbing the country radio charts and is from his forthcoming album to be released as a joint venture between ACR (Alan’s Country Records) and EMI Records Nashville. He will perform it on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Friday, March 30.
The video by award-winning director Steven Goldmann video was shot at Coney Island in New York City and can be viewed here.
Mercury/Lost Highway’s Kacey Musgraves Joins Major Tour
/by Freeman“I can’t wait to get out on the road with John Mayer,” exclaimed Musgraves. “To be given this opportunity to tour with a musician and songwriter that I have such high respect for is a dream come true.”
Musgraves is currently in the studio working on her 2012 debut album, which she is co-producing with Shane McAnally and Luke Laird.
See Musgraves’ CRS Ryman showcase performance here.
John Mayer Spring Tour 2012 Dates/Markets:
Monday, April 9: Bloomington, IN
Tuesday, April 10: East Lansing, MI
Thursday, April 12: Grand Rapids, MI
Friday, April 13: West Lafayette, IN
Saturday, April 14: Detroit, MI
Tuesday, April 17: Orono, ME
Wednesday, April 18: Providence, RI
Thursday, April 19: West Point, NY
Saturday, April 21: Buffalo, NY
Sunday, April 22: Wallingford, CT
Tuesday, April 24: Richmond, VA
Thursday, April 26: Tuscaloosa, AL
Monday, April 30: Memphis, TN
Wednesday, May 2: Kansas City, MO
Friday, May 4: Albuquerque, NM
Saturday, May 5: Las Vegas, NV
Sunday, May 6: Phoenix, AZ
WCRS Live! Features All Female Lineup
/by Eric T. Parker(L-R) Lori McKenna, Natalie Hemby, Leslie Roberts (BMI), Matraca Berg, Ashley Monroe, Jessica Frost (BMI)
Lyrical sirens Lori McKenna, Matraca Berg, Natalie Hemby and Ashley Monroe showcased their songwriting, the bedrock of the industry, at the WCRS! Live show presented by BMI and Country Aircheck yesterday afternoon (Feb. 24) during CRS 2012.
Natalie Hemby was fresh off the new Ryman stage from opening The Band Perry’s first headlining show on Feb. 20 and kicked the girls’ traditional Nashville songwriter round to life in an RV, “Little House on the Highway.” The recently-signed EMI Publishing writer additionally introduced “Little Black Dress,” which brought to mind a modern version of “Looking For Something In Red.” Before finishing the round, Hemby expressed her devotion to songwriting when, just six years prior to watching Gwyneth Paltrow singing “Timing is Everything” in the Country Strong trailer, she had been working at Comcast for health insurance. “I would have continued to write music regardless of whether or not it was my full-time job,” she said.
Lori McKenna drew laughs with a quip about her chart history. “I was worried I would have been introduced by how many kids I have because I don’t have any No. 1s. Just five kids.” Her gut-wrenching, sober lyrics and voice exhibited a single from her most recent album, Lorraine, “Buy This Town.” She mentioned her utility worker husband before singing a song about a woman who “keeps you in your place,” and also introduced “Make Every Word Hurt,” as the song that has been cut three times but yet to make it on an album.
Ashley Monroe previewed “Like a Rose” and “Morning After” from her upcoming solo album recorded with Vince Gill and Justin Niebank. The vocal acrobat thanked the audience of radio broadcasters for sending her future child to college from her Jason Aldean hit, “The Truth.”
Back-to-back Miranda Lambert cuts were presented by Hemby and another from Monroe, who is also in Pistol Annies, including “Only Prettier” and “Heart Like Mine,” respectively.
NSAI Hall of Fame songwriter, Matraca Berg, hosted the round and played “You and Tequila,” which she explained came after the passing of her songwriting idol, Harlan Howard. “Harlan bought me my first shot of tequila,” she said. More hits kept rolling in including the song Trisha Yearwood made famous, “Wrong Side of Memphis,” and her iconic hit for Deana Carter, “Strawberry Wine.” Berg also treated the audience to “Your Husband’s Cheatin’ on Us,” a new and entrancingly eerie song about a wife, mistress and a new mistress.
Each writer seemed burdened with admiration at the prospect of following the others’ lyrical craftsmanship. After following Lori’s “Luxury of Knowing,” Matraca mentioned, “I was gonna throw Ashley under the bus, but I’ll take the hit…I feel really great about the future of women in songwriting.”
CRS After-Hours: Photo ReCap
/by Caitlin RantalaL-R: Phil Vassar, Rodeowave Entertainment's Lori Hartigan and KUPL OM Scott Mahalick.
Nashville’s Past Perfect restaurant was packed Wednesday night (2/22) with Country Radio Seminar revelers at the Rodeowave/Blaster event headlined and hosted by Phil Vassar. Vassar’s latest single, “Don’t Miss Your Life,” drew the same tremendous reaction live as it has been receiving from radio programmers and listeners.
• • • • •
Jana Kramer receiving a plaque containing a polaroid of her and every program director she meet along her promo tour. (L-R: Scott Hendricks, Peter Strickland, Jana Kramer, Chris Stacey, Chris Palmer, Chad Schultz.)
Warner Music Nashville kicked off CRS on Wednesday night (2/22) with their annual “Warner Wednesday” party at Nashville’s aVenue. The label’s roster rocked out to 80’s songs as part of this year’s party theme “Attack of the 80’s.”
• • • • •
L-R: Tenacity National Promotion Directors Gary Greenberg and Anne Sarosdy, Darryl Worley, Tenacity label president Mike Kraski, Bill Gentry, Tenacity Senior VP of Promotion David Haley and National Promotion Director Jeff Davis.
The Ryman Room was overflowing with CRS attendees Wednesday night (2/22) when Tenacity Records threw its first CRS bash. Keeping it all about the music, Tenacity artists Bill Gentry and Darryl Worley performed their new music and kept the party going well into the night.
RIAA’s Gold and Platinum Country January Highlights
/by Caitlin RantalaAmerican Idol champ Scotty McCreery took home his first Platinum award for debut Clear As Day (Mercury Nashville, 2011), while Toby Keith and Jerrod Niemann were presented their first ever Platinum download certifications for “Red Solo Cup” (Show Dog – Universal Music) and “Lover, Lover” (Sea Gayle Records).
Taylor Swift’s new year was one full of precious metals. The RIAA awarded Swift her 21st Gold download cert for new single “Ours,” a 4x multi-Platinum for popular ballad “You Belong With Me,” plus a 4x multi-Platinum album award for her 2010 album Speak Now (Big Machine Records) selling more than four million copies.
Additionally, Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton each earned their second career Platinum download awards for their respective songs “Do I” and “God Gave Me You.”
Complete lists of all album, single, mastertone and video awards can also be accessed at www.riaa.com.
Sony Boat Show Combines New Artists and Seasoned Pros
/by Freeman(L-R): Kix Brooks, Carrie Underwood, Kristen Kelly, Sara Evans, Jake Owen. Photo: Alan Poizner
Sony Music Nashville’s General Jackson Show & Dinner cruise is a time-honored tradition of Country Radio Seminar, and the 26th installment on Thursday night (Feb. 23) presented the label’s diverse roster from newcomers to seasoned pros. Storme Warren, Sara Evans, and Kellie Pickler served as hosts between performances.
Jake Owen kicked off the evening, performing his current single “Alone With You,” and adding the PG-13 concert ending “I can’t be your booty call.” He also delivered a thundering version of his No. 1 hit “Barefoot Blue Jean Night.”
New faces performing included Tyler Farr (on “Hot Mess” and “Hello Goodbye”), a soulful Kristen Kelly (on “You Love To Make Me Cry” and “Ex-Old Man”), and Casey James (on “Let’s Don’t Call It A Night” and “Crying On a Suitcase”). Love and Theft, now a duo, came out to play “Angel Eyes” and their previous hit “Runaway,” with guitarist Josh Leo tossing in some sweet Knopfler-esque guitar solos for the extended jam. Josh Thompson stepped up for “I’m Comin’ Around,” and “Way Out Here.” Kix Brooks had his coming out as a solo artist with “Let’s Do This Thing,” and his debut single “New To This Town.”
A satellite acoustic stage (right in front of our table!) was reserved for acoustic performances from Pickler and Evans. Pickler played “Stop Cheating On Me” and “100 Proof” from her new album 100 Proof, and Evans played her classic “Suds In The Bucket” as well as “Anywhere.”
Pickler was a delight as host, expertly cracking wise with Warren and Evans. While waiting for headliner Carrie Underwood’s band to set up, she told a bawdy story about an ex who was obsessed with Sara Evans, prompting her to dye her hair much darker with disastrous results. Underwood joked, “I think we all learned why they asked me and not Kellie Pickler to host the CMA Awards.”
Underwood played her hit “Undo It,” as well as “Someday When I Stop Loving You,” before debuting her new single “Good Girl” which was emailed to programmers while we sat on the boat. The festivities wrapped up with an ensemble rendition of Young Rascals song “Good Lovin’” that featured Underwood, Evans, Kelly, Owen, and Brooks.
Industry Updates (2/24/12)
/by Eric T. ParkerUnsigned Only Music Competition
Mentors include Monte Lipman (President of Universal Republic); Pete Ganbarg (Executive Vice President/Head of A&R, Atlantic Records); David Wolter (Senior VP of A&R, RCA Records); Kim Stephens (President, Forward Entertainment and A&R/Capitol Music Group); Trevor Jerideau (VP of A&R, RCA Records); and Pete Giberga (Head of A&R, Razor & Tie Records) and more.
Entries are being accepted until March 5; must be original music except for the Vocal Performance category. Unsigned Only was created by The founders of International Songwriting Competition, Jim Morgan and Candace Avery. For more details click here.
• • • •
ASCAP Honors George Strait at UMG’s CRS Lunch
(L-R) Marc Driskill, George Strait Photo: Peyton Hoge
Vice President and General Manager of ASCAP Nashville, Marc Driskill presented George Strait with a guitar and plaque commemorating the superstar’s first No. 1 hit as a songwriter for “Here For A Good Time” during the UMG luncheon show at CRS this Wed (Feb. 22).
• • • •
CMA’s Complementary “Year of Radio” Memberships
The CMA is expanding its current 6,400 members this year by awarding year-long complimentary organizational memberships to all 2,033 country radio stations in the U.S. (valued at $200 each). In addition, PD’s and GM’s from each station will receive individual memberships (valued at $100 each).
CMA will send membership kits to stations this week including details of membership for medical insurance, telecommunications discounts, research and the ability to vote for the CMA Awards. Any current CMA radio member will be given an additional year of membership in the organization.
“Country radio professionals are among our best ambassadors and it is important for CMA to recognize their outstanding contributions to the Country Music format and make the vast resources of CMA available to support their efforts,” said CEO Steve Moore.
• • • •
Carter Twins Form Kingston; Make Nashville Debut
Kingston
Josh and Zach Carter, previously of the Carter Twins, debuted their new duo project called Kingston with a six-song set at 12th & Porter this week during CRS, inviting both fans and industry alike.
The new country duo performed several brand new tracks, including their new single “Dear Someone,” which will have a music video debuting within the next few weeks.
A copy of the duo’s EP was handed to the audience as they left.
• • • •
Flying Island at CRS
(L-R) Back: Coy Taylor (artist), Bonita Allen (FIE promo), Shooter Jennings (artist), Bucky Covington (artist), Gwen Sebastian (artist), Ty Herndon (artist) and Nancy Eckert, (FIE head). Middle: Jill Tomalty (FIE promo), Amber Hayes (artist), Levi Riggs (artist), Shelia Shipley (FIE promo). Kneeling: Brian Fee (FIE promo), Louis Newman (FIE head)
Flying Island Entertainment welcomed CRS attendees and their artists to Nashville on Feb. 21 at Rippy’s downtown with a karaoke contest.
• • • •
Anchor Down Signing
(L-R) Dan Hodges (Dan Hodges Music), Roger Springer and Anthony Corder (GM, Anchor Down)
Anchor Down Entertainment Welcomes Roger Springer to the roster, co-writer of releases by Mark Chesnutt (“I Might Even Quit Lovin’ You,” “It’s a Little Too Late,” “Let It Rain,” “Thank God for Believers”), Sammy Kershaw (“Matches”) and Love and Theft (“Dancing in Circles”).
Guitarist/Producer Billy Strange Dies
/by Robert K OermannEqually notable as a top studio guitarist, record producer, songwriter and music arranger, Strange was born in 1930 and raised in Long Beach, CA. He was performing with his parents by age fourteen. He initially worked as a country guitarist, backing Spade Cooley, Roy Rogers, The Sons of the Pioneers, Speedy West and Jimmy Bryant in the 1950s. He also served a stint in Count Basie’s band.
He rose to become a top session guitarist in L.A., a member of the ensemble known as “The Wrecking Crew.” As such, he backed everyone from The Beach Boys to Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. Records by The Everly Brothers, Nat King Cole, Randy Newman, Willie Nelson, Dean Martin, Rick Nelson, Jan & Dean, Love, Johnny Cash, The Hondells, Doris Day, Wanda Jackson, Wayne Newton, The Ventures, Pat Boone and many more contain his guitar stylings.
Strange’s distinctive, inventive arrangements include Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Are Made for Walking,” Cher’s “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)” and the Nancy and Frank Sinatra duet “Somethin’ Stupid.”
Recording for GNP Crescendo, Billy Strange issued a dozen instrumental albums in the 1960s. He was also a member of the pop band The Avalanches.
As a songwriter, Strange co-wrote “A Little Less Conversation,” “Charro,” “Clean Up Your Own Back Yard” and “Memories” for Elvis Presley, “Limbo Rock” for Chubby Checker and a number of instrumentals for Speedy West, Jimmy Bryant and Herb Alpert.
Billy Strange moved to Nashville in the 1970s. He initially ran Sinatra’s publishing company’s office in Music City. In the 1980s, record executive Jimmy Bowen hired him to produce a series of country comeback albums on Dot Records for Jeanne Pruett, George Hamilton IV, Justin Tubb, Helen Cornelius and other veteran stars.
Billy Strange was induced into the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2007. He is also a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. He died in Nashville on Wednesday, February 22. He is survived by his wife, singer Jeanne Black, as well as two children. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
Lady Antebellum Expands Easily Into Headliner Status
/by bossrossThe set featured three video screens, a long ramp out into the crowd, and an oval, raised in the back with an "inner circle" crowd area.
Lady Antebellum
February 22, 2012, Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, TN
Photos: IzzyNashville.com
Hillary, Charles and Dave, working the crowd.
Backstage
“Coming up out of the lift at the start of the show, is my favorite part,” said Lady A’s Charles Kelley during an exclusive MusicRow interview with the trio before their Nashville show. “The energy is so outrageous, so addictive. I always take out one of my ear monitors to hear the crowd.”
During my last meeting with Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood about eight months ago, there were a lot of career questions on their minds. A new album was queued up for launch, they were focused on conceiving their first headline tour, and basking in the glow from recent multiple Grammy wins, but quietly wondering if there would be more.
No matter what yardstick you use, things have measured up smartly. The first two singles from Own The Night went No. 1 (“Just A Kiss” “We Owned The Night”), the new album is Platinum+, just won a Grammy and the International tour has already enjoyed nine consecutive sold out dates. “Yeah, we have to stop worrying so much,” laughed Charles when I remarked that the fans had answered all three questions in glowing terms.
“We feel blessed to have had so many dreams come true,” Hillary reflected. “But being able to fill an arena takes the cake in a lot of ways. It’s happened so fast. People ask us in interviews, ‘When is the moment where you feel like you’ve made it?’ For me, this is it.”
“Yes, we were working through all this stuff in the Fall,” Dave added. “But now we’ve hit a stride. I never thought we’d be able to fill those entire arenas with 10-14,000 people. Onstage is a different energy as opposed to the studio. It’s unlike anything we’ve ever felt before including Award show performances, etc. When people spend their hard-earned money to come out and are singing along it makes us feel so fortunate.”
The enticing aroma of steaks sizzling on a grill suddenly entered our space. Everyone kind of noticed it at once. “Yeah, it’s the same catering service that Martina McBride used when we were on our very first tour,” Dave said proudly. “Ever since then we knew we had to get them.”
Haywood, standing on a piano, leans into his Telecaster on "Just A Kiss."
“So what would you tell other Nashville artists, that aren’t yet headlining, about this experience?” I asked.
“Try to soak up the whole journey,” offered Charles. “There’s times I miss having one of those ‘can’t wait till it happens’ moments. Because after it does happen, it’s bittersweet. There is something about the innocence of being new and starting to hit those milestones. There were times when we were so involved we didn’t realize what an amazing journey we were going through.”
“And document,” said Hillary. “We’ve done that from the very beginning. It ends up being this beautiful video diary you might like to look back on and show your kids someday. It doesn’t matter what speed your career is at, you don’t process it fully while it is happening.”
While Lady A’s career has been moving in high gear, so has the changes in their personal lives. Hillary Scott was recently married and Dave Haywood is now engaged. “We’ve actually been going through this for several years,” says Dave. “Charles has been married a while and Hillary and Chris were dating all last year. We all put our personal lives first.”
“Our definition of putting our personal lives first looks a lot different than someone who has a normal 9-5 where they drive home and sleep in their own bed every night,” smiles Hillary, whose new husband Chris is currently playing drums on the tour. “But we’re thankful that at this time in our career we have the means to make it comfortable for everyone. When Charles and Cassie got married a few years ago we were all in one bus—12 of us—and she would have to fly in and out of cities because there was no room.”
The Show
Suddenly it was showtime. The three video screens showed each Lady A member primping and doing last minute “get-readys” in their dressing rooms. Moments before the lights dimmed and the videos began, they pumped the crowd with a “Shake It 2 Make It” dance teaser offering 2 tickets to the inner circle for the best dancers. The crowd rose to the occasion as the hot dance tracks played and video cameras put the action up on the screens.
But now it was all about the trio, their fans and specially invited radio programmers who were in town for the Country Radio Seminar. As Charles had predicted, the roar of the crowd was loud as the band rose up through center stage and launched into, “We Owned The Night.”
The show included a healthy offering of new songs and previous favorites. It’s incredible to realize the number of hits this band has amassed in the relatively short time they have been together. The night’s biggest challenge was the venue itself, the Municipal Auditorium. Its large round dome shape makes contouring the sound an engineer’s nightmare.
A special highlight was the stripped down acoustic interlude where the band members and musicians walked out the long ramp into the crowd and played around a mic. It was also a moment when Lady A invited supporting acts Darius Rucker and Thompson Square to jam. But there were more surprises to come. Luke Bryan pleased an excited crowd by singing “Do I.” (Hillary sang on Bryan’s record; Charles and Dave were co-writers on the song). Next, Sara Evans made a surprise appearance to sing “Stronger,” which Hillary Scott co-wrote.
The show moved back onto the main stage and gained momentum. Later, when the crowd called them out for a final encore, Lady A performed its signature song, “Need You Now.”
What makes this trio musically indelible? Well, certainly it is the instantly recognizable vocal blend of Charles and Hillary. Yes, it’s also the material they sing, much of which they write together. And yes, Dave Haywood’s musical contributions add depth and character. But maybe, above all else, it is the sensitive way the trio carries itself onstage, like three strands woven into a single tapestry. They care about each other and their fans. And it shows—all night long.
Backstage before the concert, (L-R) Dave Haywood, Hillary Scott, writer David Ross and Charles Kelley. Photo: Adam Boatman
Thompson Square Singer Loses Family Member [Updated]
/by Freeman[Updated]
MusicRow offers its condolences to Thompson Square’s Keifer and Shawna Thompson, following the death of Shawna’s father last night (Feb. 23).
The band sent this statement through their publicist earlier today:
“It is with a heavy heart that we inform you that Shawna Thompson’s father George Michael “Mickey” Mcllwain passed away yesterday evening in Alabama after a valiant battle with cancer. Shawna and her family were by his side when he passed. We ask that you please keep both Shawna and Keifer as well as Shawna’s family in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.”
Due to the loss, Thompson Square have elected to withdraw from the CRS 2012 New Faces show scheduled for tonight (Feb. 24).
Visitation will be held tomorrow evening (Feb. 25) at Lathan Funeral Home in Chatom, AL with graveside service to follow on Sunday, Feb. 26.