Lady A’s Charles Kelley Opens Up About His Year of Sobriety: ‘I Never Thought I Would Actually Enjoy It’

It’s been more than a year since Charles Kelley, founding member of country trio Lady A, sought treatment for alcoholism. As he tells it, that decision has made all the difference in his personal and professional lives.

Speaking to Billboard on Monday (Sept. 25), Kelley says that nearly 15 months into his sobriety, he’s feeling better than ever. “I never thought I would actually enjoy it, you know?” he says. “I thought, ‘OK, I’m gonna do this for my family, I’m gonna do this for my band, I’m gonna do this for myself.’ But I think it’s the energy you get from not having crazy nights and all of those different things.”

The singer went on to say that sobriety also means living in the moment, which has proven to be a blessing in his day-to-day life. “It’s led me a lot closer to my spirituality. It’s led me to look at myself and what I want more,” he says. “Like, what am I doing? What am I standing for? What do I want for the next 20 years? I think sometimes you have to kind of hit that point of desperation in a way to find that. I’m glad I hit it in my 40s and didn’t wait until later on in life.”

Kelley’s year-plus journey in recovery has also been life-changing for his bandmates Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood. “You’ve always had a big heart and a passion for music and the people you love and loyalty,” Scott tells Kelley. “And now, I feel like there more communication of those feelings.”

Haywood agrees, adding that he’s learned from Kelley’s ability to stay present over the last year. “I feel like, [there’s] a lot of daily gratitude, saying, ‘Let’s celebrate and enjoy this moment,'” Haywood tells Billboard. “We don’t always have to look to the next thing we’re going to do. Let’s be grateful with this music, with this moment, with this show tonight. He’s been fantastic, and we’re so proud of him.”

Fans of Lady A first learned about Kelley’s decision to seek help in August 2022, when the trio postponed their Request Line Tour in order to support him in his recovery. “In order to be the healthiest, strongest and most creative band we can be, Lady A will take the time with the support of our families and team of professionals to walk through this together,” they wrote in a statement at the time.

If you or anyone you know is battling substance abuse, visit FindTreatment.gov for information on where to find confidential treatment referral, information and support.