Lady A announces new charity, receives CMA honor

The group made the announcement at Nashville's Schermerhorn Symphony Center prior to an evening concert at the venue. The charity will reach children in Tennessee through grants to Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. On a national and international level, the charity will support Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, myLIFEspeaks and the UN Refugee Agency. LadyAID will be funded by donations and fundraising efforts, including Lady A's inaugural Ping Pong & Songs event scheduled to take place in early 2013.

"The opportunity to play music on stages all around the world has given us so much happiness," said Lady A's 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."

"There are children all over the world who are suffering because they don't have the resources to get the help they need," added Hillary Scott. "My heart has specifically been lead to the children of Haiti. By partnering with organizations like UNHCR and Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, we've already seen children be given access to medical care they wouldn't otherwise have in their country. It's so inspiring, and anything we can do to help that cause, we're going to do."

"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 U.S. over the last few years," said 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 trio then was surprised today when CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore presented the group with the CMA International Artist Achievement Award.

Formerly the International Touring Artist Award, the CMA International Artist Achievement Award recognizes outstanding achievement by a U.S.-based artist who contributes to the awareness and development of country music outside of the U.S.

"We're so honored," said Scott. "This year especially, being able to take our tour to Europe and then to Australia, and meet even more of our fans all over the world, and to take country music that far, we don't take that lightly. We really, truly do want to make this town and the country music community proud when we go overseas and perform."

"We wish Lady Antebellum much success as they help children around the world," said Moore. "And it is because of their work around the globe as ambassadors of country music that we are presenting them with the International Artist Award."

Lady A's Own the Night World Tour staged performances in 11 countries for more than 1 million fans including sold out shows in Dublin, London, Toronto, and three-nights at the Sydney Opera House.