Capitol NashvilleA very happy Charles Kelley says his Grammy nomination for his debut single “The Driver” just makes him all the more excited to release his first solo album.
“My wife woke me up. I had a whole bunch of text messages from friends and family congratulating me,” Charles says of how he learned about his Grammy nod. “I, of course, like most musicians, don’t wake up before nine o’clock,” he jokes. “But just honestly, I have not been able to get this smile off my face today. I’m so fired up. I’m so ready for fans to hear this project.”
Even though this is his first time in the running without his Lady Antebellum bandmates, he’s still in the Best Country Duo/Group category, since he has two of his pals singing prominent parts on the tune.
“‘The Driver’ is a song, it’s probably one of the most honest songs I’ve written in a long time, and to be able to share this moment with my buddies Dierks Bentley and Eric Paslay means the world to me. Every time I go on social media and see the reaction and fans specifically talking about this song and how it’s speaking to them, that reminds me of why I wanted to pursue this project.”
Charles says even though he’s following a solo path while Lady A takes a short break, his bandmates Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood were among the first to wish him well on Monday.
“It just means the world to me, and it means the world to me that Hillary and Dave are so supportive. They were one of my first texts this morning congratulating me. And I cannot wait for everybody to hear the rest of this record,” he says of the project due in 2016.
In addition to all the musical excitement in his life, Charles and his wife Cassie are expecting their first baby in February. Though he’s currently on his solo Driver tour with newcomer Maren Morris, his website mentions that some of the dates are being moved to early next year. It also teases major album release news coming soon.
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