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The trio, one of the most successful in country
music, said in an open letter that they took the name 14 years
ago after the Southern antebellum style home where they took
their first photos.
"But we are regretful and embarrassed to say that we did not
take into account the associations that weigh down this word
referring to the period of history before the Civil War, which
includes slavery. We are deeply sorry for the hurt this has
caused and for anyone who has felt unsafe, unseen or unvalued,"
the group added.
Antebellum is a term used to describe culture in the Southern
United States before the American Civil War when slavery was an
accepted practice.
The group, formed in Nashville in 2006 and best known for hit
records like Grammy-winner "Need You Now," said the change was
made in response to mass protests over systemic racism in the
United States spurred by the death of African-American George
Floyd under the knee of a white police officer.
"We've watched and listened more than ever these past few weeks,
and our hearts have been stirred with conviction, our eyes
opened wide to the injustices, inequality and biases black women
and men have always faced and continue to face every day. Now,
blindspots we didn't even know existed have been revealed," the
group added.
The decision follows the withdrawal from the HBO Max streaming
platform this week of Oscar-winning Civil War movie "Gone With
the Wind" because of its depiction of racial prejudice at that
time.
Lady A is formed by singer Hillary Scott from Tennessee,
guitarist Charles Kelley from North Carolina and guitar and
piano player Dave Haywood from Georgia.
(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Nick Zieminski)
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