Lady Antebellum Announces LadyAID to Help Children in Need

The Associated Press, Monday, December 17, 2012, 6:30am (PST)

Billboard -- Grammy winning trio Lady Antebellum have announced a new charitable initiative called LadyAID, a philanthropic effort created to bring awareness to and generate support for children in need locally, nationally and globally.

The multi-level organization will reach children across the state of Tennessee through grants to Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. On a national level, Lady Aid is supporting Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and on a global level, myLIFEspeaks and The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). The LadyAID Fund is a component fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

"The opportunity to play music on stages all around the world has given us so much happiness," said Dave Haywood. "By establishing LadyAID, we're going to be able to put a new focus on accomplishing an off-stage goal we have as a band, which is to help children in need."

The group's Hillary Scott said that bringing together the various causes each member supports is a win-win for all. "I think the three of us are individually passionate about different things and helping different organizations, and giving our time. The three of us collectively realized that what we can do together - the three of us - after Henryville High School," she stated, referring to a May performance in which the trio donated their time to perform for an Indiana town that was devastated by a tornado in March. The trio helped to raise over $235,000 to help rebuild the town.

For Charles Kelley, he says that he stands amazed at what each organization does to assist those less fortunate. "We've witnessed firsthand what these organizations are doing to help kids and their families. I've been personally touched by the children's hospital visits we've made around the US over the last few years," noted Charles Kelley. "We hope that with the help of our fans, we can all combine our energy and resources to help provide some relief to these families. The thing that we all agree on is helping kids, and there's so much need out there. I think that hits home with all of us, and any kid in need is something that doesn't need to happen."

The initiative will be funded by donations and fund raising efforts including the trio's inaugural PING PONG & SONGS event. Inspired by a combination of the band's favorite backstage hobby and their love of songwriting, the event will be held in early 2013.

Lady Antebellum recently wrapped their headlining tour that was awarded Billboard's "Breakthrough Award" and traveled across the US, Canada, Europe and Australia, where the trio was welcomed by over one million fans in 11 countries on three continents. Lady A sold out shows in top markets including Los Angeles, Chicago, two nights in New York City, Toronto, London, three nights at Sydney's Opera House and even had a chance to open a sold out show at London's Hard Rock Calling for one of their idols Bruce Springsteen. In addition, the group also released their critically acclaimed Christmas album, "On This Winter's Night." In addition, the trio will be expanding in 2013, with the news that Scott is pregnant with her first child.

For more information about the group's organization, go to www.LadyAID.org.

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Find more online: Billboard.com