Lady Antebellum changes band name to 'Lady A', apologises for word's association with slavery

Grammy-winning country group

Lady Antebellum

is changing its name to Lady A, with members saying they are regretful and embarrassed for not taking into consideration the word's associations with

slavery

.

The band, made up of Hillary Scott,

Charles Kelley

and

Dave Haywood

, made the announcement Thursday on their social media.

The statement said that they chose the name after the

antebellum style

home where they shot their first band photos, and it reminded them of Southern styles of music.



But they said in recent weeks, their eyes have been opened to "blindspots we didn't even know existed" and "the injustices, inequality and biases black women and men have always faced."

The band said it is deeply sorry for the hurt this has caused and for anyone who felt unsafe, unseen or unvalued.