Lady A were forced to pull out of performing at the CMA Awards on Wednesday (11.11.20) an hour before the show kicked off, after coming into contact with a family member with COVID-19.
Lady A's Charles Kelley at CMA Awards 2020
The group - formerly known as Lady Antebellum - were billed to perform 'Beers and Sunshine' with the Nashville ceremony's co-host Darius Rucker, while frontwoman Hillary Scott was due to sing with Thomas Rhett and more.
Despite the trio - which is also comprised of Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood - all testing negative, they wanted to be on the safe side.
Fortunately, Charles had pre-recorded a duet with Carly Pearce of her hit single 'I Hope You're Happy Now' for the event.
In a statement issued to Twitter, the 'Need You Now' hitmakers wrote: “Taking a look back at last year’s CMA Awards and all the fun that we have every year getting to hang out with our country music family! Sadly, one of our immediate family members has just tested positive for COVID-19 this week. So far, the three of us continue to test negative, and out of caution and love for everyone involved with the CMAs, we’ve decided to stay home from the awards tonight.
“We’re bummed that we won’t be able to perform with Darius Rucker and Thomas Rhett, but luckily Charles already taped his performance with Carly Pearce so you will still be seeing him take the stage! We’ll be cheering on our friends at home like the rest of y’all! Stay safe out there.”
A number of acts also had to cancel their appearances at the last minute, including Jenee Fleenor and Rascal Flatts, due to the pandemic.
The former was scheduled to duet with Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Brothers Osborne and Ashley McBryde for a tribute to late country music icon Charlie Daniels.
She tweeted: "I am thankfully feeling just fine, just bummed of course."
Whilst the band - which is comprised of Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney - announced one of them had come down with the respiratory infection.
They wrote: "Hey Y’all, we wanted to let you guys know that we have received a positive COVID test within the band.
"As much as we were looking forward to performing at the CMA Awards tonight, we will no longer be attending in the interest of everyone’s safety. We miss y’all and stay safe!"
Earlier this week, Lee Brice and Florida Georgia Line's Tyler Hubbard announced they were no longer able to perform at the CMAs due to testing positive for coronavirus.
The CMAs did, however, see performances from the likes of Dan + Say with Justin Bieber live from The Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, Keith Urban in Australia, plus Maren Harris, New Artist of the Year-winner Morgan Wallen, Miranda Lambert and Eric Church.
‘The Middle’ hitmaker Maren was the big winner of the night, taking home three prizes, including Female Vocalist of the Year.
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