Musicians On Call Celebrates Lady Antebellum in Nashville

Lady Antebellum is undoubtedly talented, with Grammy, CMA and ACM Awards to prove it. But they were awarded for something different on Tuesday night, their generosity.

Written by Laura Hostelley
Musicians On Call Celebrates Lady Antebellum in Nashville
Photo Courtesy PFA Media

Lady Antebellum is undoubtedly talented, with Grammy, CMA and ACM Awards to prove it. But they were awarded for something different on Tuesday night, their generosity.

The organization Musicians On Call, a non-profit with the mission of bringing music to the bedsides of patients, presented the group with the Music Heals Award in recognition of their donation of time and talents to sick people all over the country.

“I think it’s something that’s just so close to our heart,” Hillary Scott of the band told Sounds Like Nashville prior to the event. “Music is obviously like breathing to us and not only being able to share the gifts that we’ve been able to share with others, but to be able to sing to children and bring them joy hopefully if even for a brief moment in a midst of struggle.”

All three members of Lady Antebellum are parents themselves. So going into these hospitals and seeing sick children really hits home for them.

“You go in expecting to see a lot of the kids kind of down, and they weren’t. They still had such a joy and zest for life,” Charles Kelley continued. “Now that we all have kids, it breaks your heart knowing they have to go through it. But they do have a very positive spirit and optimistic out look through it all. Music in this weird way kind of bonds us all.”

The night’s event was hosted by country radio personality and Musicians on Call National Board Member, Bobby Bones. Throughout the evening artists who are a part of the foundation honored Lady Antebellum by performing renditions of some of their songs including “American Honey,” “Need You Now” and “Downtown.” Artists who performed are all volunteers as well, including Mama Dearest, The Shuggah Pies and Lindsay Ell.

“Being able to bring joy to kids and their families in a time when they don’t have a lot of joy in their lives, when they don’t have a lot of hope in their lives, being able to be there just for two or three minutes and come into their room and be able to bring them music is such an incredible feeling,” Ell said about her experience with Musicians On Call.

Photo Courtesy PFA Media

Photo Courtesy PFA Media

During the evening, outgoing National Board Chair, Scott Welch was honored with the Leadership in Music Award. Volunteer Guide, Richa Chandra, and Volunteer Musician, Laura Eady were also observed for all their efforts in making lives better through the power of music.

Bones lead the night, welcoming each of the musical acts on stage as well as encouraging attendees to bid on autographed guitars, with all proceeds going directly to the organization. Beyond working with Musicians On Call, the radio personality also has a special connection with the charity.

“I know what it’s like to be in a hospital, poked and prodded, the every day monotony can really drag you down, it’s not a positive environment,” Bones explained. “For me I’m all about bringing as much positivity as possible so I started just volunteering. And I said I have musician friends who are way better than I am so let me bring them to. I was moved so much by watching the kids and seeing the vets too and seeing their moments of joy, and I wanted to be a part of it.”

The evening was also littered with a few very talented and surprise guests, Hunter Hayes and Eric Paslay, both took the stage to perform songs of healing of their own in addition to a Lady Antebellum track.

“Music is a powerful drug and I try to be a good drug dealer,” Paslay said following his performance of the Lady A cut, “Golden.”

The evening concluded with the presentation of the Music Heals Award to the esteemed honorees.

“We are humbled tonight,” Scott said on behalf of the group upon receiving the honor. “We’ve seen so many incredible people walk up on this stage and those who do this every single day, it’s a part of their call and their passion. We do what we can when we can. It’s those who do this everyday, y’all are the real heroes.”

Last night’s event raised more than $100K to help continue to spread the healing power of music.