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The unfortunate dark side of being at the top of the entertainment industry means you’re exposed to numerous vices. For Lady A’s Charles Kelley, that vice was the bottle. Recently, the singer opened up about what finally led him to quit alcohol for good. So, what did he reveal?
Charles Kelley At The Top Of The Charts With Lady A
When it comes to successful country groups, you can’t have that conversation without throwing Lady A into the mix. The trio may have gone through a name change, but, they are still one of the biggest bands around. On top of that, they have a series of chart-topping songs that stand as a testament to their success.
Since the band’s formation in 2006, they’ve sold an estimated 18 million albums. Within that stretch, they’ve also notched 11 number-one singles, toured the world, and even completed a Las Vegas Residency. Hands down, they are one of the most successful groups ever, not limited to just the country pop space.
Lady A Had To Cancel Major Tour Due To Charles Kelley’s Alcohol Problems
Of course, when you’re on top of the world the way that Lady A has been, all that success and celebrity status can expose you to a world of vices. For Charles Kelley, that vice has been the bottle. Like many musicians before him, and like the many that will come after him, Kelley found himself in the clutches of an all-consuming addiction.
Indeed, Charles Kelley’s struggle with alcohol got bad enough that, in 2022, the band canceled a major tour so that Kelley could focus on his sobriety. The cancelation was announced just one week before hitting the road, to the dismay of many fans.
That said, there was something to be said about the rest of the band supporting Kelley through his struggles.
![[Credit: Charles Kelley/Instagram]](https://countrymusicalley.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Lady-A-Group.jpg)
Lady A Singer Opens Up About Putting The Bottle Down
With Charles Kelley struggling publicly with his addiction, the Lady A singer recently opened up about the final straw that made him put the bottle down. Kelley recalled an incident where he got pulled over while driving drunk. His wife and son were away visiting family, so, he had free reign, in his mind, to drink as much as he wanted.
The officer who pulled him over recognized Kelley. So, instead of charging him with a DUI, the officer drove him home, roughly a three-minute drive from the bar he was drinking at. It turns out, dodging that bullet was a turning point for Kelley. He felt “guilty” for getting away with driving drunk due to his fame.
However, it was just the thing he needed to finally get himself in gear and kick his bad habit. After “white knuckling it” for three months on his own, Charles Kelley eventually checked himself into rehab.
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Lady A Intervened As Kelley Relapsed
Unfortunately for Kelley, a glass of wine while on a trip to Paris sent him spiraling back into his old habits. Eventually, his band members intervened, leading to the cancellation of their 2022 tour. This gave Charles Kelley another shot to right the ship, and to turn things around before it was too late.
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Luckily for Kelley, it worked. He marked one year sober as of June 2023. To the delight of fans, Lady A has since gotten back on the road as well. Kelley even got a tattoo on his hand of the day he got sober, 6/30/2022. Indeed, this serves as a constant reminder of his progress and how far he has come if ever he gets the urge to grab another drink.
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