Band member has ties to community

The up-and-coming band, Lady Antebellum, is shown performing recently at The Grand Ole Opry. (Photo contributed)

Just a couple of short years ago, Dave Haywood was working as an accountant, traveling all over the world and wondering if this was what he wanted to do with the rest of his life. Haywood is the brother of Lisa Haywood Wiggins, who is presently the music teacher at Jenkins County Elementary School.

When his friend, Charles Kelley, called and asked if he would come to Nashville and give the music business a try, Haywood's life was changed forever. He and Kelley have known each other since middle school, and are graduates of Lakeside High School and The University of Georgia. Haywood moved to Nashville is 2006, and both were staying at the home of Kelley's brother, singer-songwriter Josh Kelley, who recently married Katherine Heigl.

After a chance meeting one night, the guys invited Hillary Scott to join their duo, and the three began writing songs together immediately. Scott is the daughter of country music star Linda Davis and accomplished musician Lang Scott. Shortly after the trio began writing together, they evolved into their present band, Lady Antebellum.

This trio has accomplished in two years what most bands spend decades trying to achieve. They have performed on the Grand Ole Opry, toured with Martina McBride and opened for such big names as Alan Jackson and Carrie Underwood, just to name a few.

They were discovered by Capitol Records, who signed them to a recording contract in 2007. Their current single, "Love Don't Live Here," is currently #14 on the Billboard U.S. Country charts, and their video is in the "Top 10" on Great American Country (GAC.) GAC has also devoted a special, titled "Introducing…Lady Antebellum," to their whirlwind start.

They have recently been nominated for the Academy of Country Music (ACM) award for Top New Duo or Group, which will air on CBS at 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 18. They will also be on "Good Morning America" Monday, April 21. Their debut album will be released in stores on Tuesday, April 15, and can be pre-ordered by going to their website at www.ladyantebellum.com.