Lady A's Charles Kelley and wife Cassie detail sobriety journey

"CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King sits down with Lady A's Charles Kelley and his wife Cassie Kelley in an exclusive interview about his path to sobriety.
#entertainment #music #ladyA
Each weekday morning, "CBS Mornings” co-hosts Gayle King, Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson bring you the latest breaking news, smart conversation and in-depth feature reporting. "CBS Mornings" airs weekdays at 7 a.m. on CBS and stream it at 8 a.m. ET on the CBS News app.
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[@chickenmama823]

This was my husband too. I am proud to say he is 2.5 years sober. This is our story too. So happy Charles is on his path of recovery.

[@sosoutherncustomequestrian4598]

What an amazing, honest couple just living in their truth. Praying for your family.

[@kristinesalazar1005]

How refreshing it is to see so much honesty from a couple! I am so happy for their family. You can see the love between them. This interview will help others in many ways. Bravo Kelly’s! ❤😊

[@lisasturniolo4150]

Prayers to them as Charles continues on his path of sobriety. It was so so brave of him and his beautiful wife to go public with their story. I believe it can help others who are dealing with alcoholism. 💕🙏💕🙏💕🙏💕

[@heatherkelly3744]

I am so proud of you Charles! I've seen a family member go through what you have but without your ending~Your strength amazes me! Your talent and your family is a reason to stay the path forever!

[@annsmith7207]

One day at a time, Charles ...kids know exactly what is going on -- never underestimate children. Good for you for going to rehab. And no, Charles -- there are not "degrees" of alcoholism -- alcoholism is a disease ...and it is disease that keeps telling me I don't have a disease .... and that is the mental component of this disease! Sober recovery one day at time ...December 23, 1978 with deepest gratitude. Keep it in the day, Charles! We are all rooting for you, Charles!

[@faithclifford5893]

Beautiful story. Stay well, Charles. You are a good Dad and husband.

[@rileyrollins3027]

Thank you for sharing your story. Mental health, recovery and healing is so important to discuss. Thank you for using your platform for a positive change. 👑 ... 4yrs sober this year myself.

[@azdesertrat9104]

Behind every good man is a strong woman! Cassie, hats off to you for being a great wife, mom and support for your family! And happy belated Mother's Day!!

[@insider3737]

Saw your interview, dude you are a lucky man to have so many people that care about you. Your wife is an amazing woman that loves you. Keep up what you’re doing. Keep strong. Good luck in the future.!!

[@janetraona9071]

Great interview. Their strength dealing with this disease is tremendous.

[@melissabryan3043]

This was my husband and I...after we got engaged in 2012. I told him I can't live like this for the rest of my life so either he stops drinking or I'm out. He chose me and he is 11 years sober. I stopped drinking for the most part too, just a glass of wine every now and then. I know he still struggles from time to time, which is a part of recovery, and I also tell him I'm proud. Support systems are huge and if a person doesn't have that, it makes it that much harder for the addict.

[@kellysnead4972]

Wonderful He recognized needing help. 😊 Good for him!!!!

[@kellisantos2396]

I wish Gayle would stop interrupting everyone.

[@l.a.3479]

She has a bad habit of doing that. I've seen a lot worse from her than this.

[@sheilaklugman2340]

So grest it all worked out. She loved him enough to stay and fight the fight, love their group ❤️, one of the best and his wife is a wonderful woman, so glad they stayed together

[@melodybenedicwalsh7997]

Thank you for bringing this to light. I have been sober for a little over 7 years, and am so thankful for my sober life. It was really hard at first but now we have alcohol in the house, my husband and family drink around me and it is no problem because I figured out the root cause of my drinking and made peace. I will never not be an alcoholic, and that is ok because it reminds me of where I have been and where I am going 🙌

[@MaryMicheleful]

The best singer and so happy to hear you are sober!!!!!!

[@tootsiea4288]

Great job! It’s a family disease. My dad had 36 years of sobriety and helped countless alcoholics through the recovery journey. Al-Anon helps the family and AA helps the alcoholic. There are Friends with Bill (Bill Wilkerson) across the globe, and even on cruise ships. There should be no shame. Addiction knows no boundaries and affects rich and poor.

[@auntmaryspals7978]

Just a note....It's Bill Wilson.

[@millim408]

Great that he was able to get the help he needed for him and his loved ones! I was married to an alcoholic, but he didnt start drinking until 10yrs into our marriage and it was due to a bar that had just opened near by and influence of friends. But, he never admitted to having a problem, I stayed married to him for another 12 yrs and then I called it quits. I wish he would have changed, but only they can change

[@roseschulze1647]

Best wishes on your sobriety journey, Charles! I'm so happy for you. Stopping alcohol now will hopefully prevent you from serious damage to your internal organs that can be extremely painful. ❤

[@carola7539]

I pray he stays sober beautiful family

[@amylynngriffith]

Amazing story and so brave of both of them to share!! 🙏🙏

[@Jpoy213]

Excellent interview, I saw myself in this, my journey ended it’s a severe stroke, at 62 years old, I’m feel proud of you andand happy for your success 💕

[@dianev6180]

I quit in 2009 but I never go without at a party or on vacation that is, I never go without non-alcoholic beverages. Just like I used to bring my own wine, I'll bring imported non-alcoholic beers to private events. In Florida you can get margaritas, Pina Coladas, and more non-alcoholic everywhere since we cater to tourists. I have more fun than anyone else because I don't need alcohol to relax and enjoy. I've been asked if I am OK to drive home, haha! Feels good to admit it was all sans alcohol! It is liberating! My very best to terrifically talented Charles and his beautiful family.

[@carlmar6027]

You're stronger for admitting...good on u bro

[@kristinhernandez8946]

God bless this family. 🙏🏼

[@angelaholmes8888]

I'm so glad Charles decided to get sober addiction truly destroy everything and everyone in your life

[@lynngarms8017]

Cassie loves her family.

[@josephinerawley6683]

Wishing you the best for you and your family 👪

[@laura01279]

Kids aren’t blind & they are life’s little imitators . Glad you took the steps Charles.

[@kristakowalski7954]

Bravo, Charles!!

[@debrablum3738]

I missed this last week. So glad to watch on You Tube. So glad Charles got help! ❤ I love Lady A so much! Their music got me through some rough stuff...still does! ❤ You need to eat Charles...your face has lost too much weight! Jesus loves you guys!!! ❤ Keep singing! 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@dgstamper1]

God bless this family and please continue to look over them. Charles, thank God for the help of your wife, friends, and band mate's was able to walk into the light! This interview-song will hopefully inspire anyone who comes in contact with this powerful interview, to seek help too! Thank God again that you put family and self first. You have a beautiful family and your wife is a ROCKSTAR! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@marcelroelofsen6020]

Honoust Open and Proud. Been there too. Keep fighting.

[@angelagodwin4550]

I have met Charles before in Memphis and he was just such a nice guy! He was downstairs later that night with other musicians and attendees from all over in radio drinking. I didn’t think one thing about it! There is one artist that is at Country Cares every single year I have been and I believe he is at every one they have bc of his involvement with Country Cares for St Jude and he is tipsy every year and some I have seen him past tipsy! Not my place to judge and I am not or don’t intend to come across that way! My point is that you never know who is struggling with alcohol or substances! They don’t have to be the one always tipsy in public - my experience they don’t normally get out of the way in public and prefer to do their heavy drinking at home or in a private setting! I pray for Charles and Cassie and their son on the journey of loving someone seeking sobriety! It is truly a family disease!

[@roben9580]

This artist IS THE BEST!!!!

[@CarolynJohnson-fz3fl]

So inspirational!!

[@loristromski1334]

Sending healing streams of grace 🙏

[@gloriatemael2510]

Good for u guys

[@Sabouma28]

and now the fight for the rest of his life begins.... I wish him the best of luck....

[@beaseiler9998]

Amen !!❤

[@Golfgirl226]

Good for you , keep coming

[@monalisa2662]

Stay strong Charles and continue to work with the 12 step. As you work the 12 steps... they will work in you. Way to be transparent and own your behavior. Know your triggers and avoid environments that serve alcohol. Yup Cassie... you need to work the 12 step support in recovery too preferrably without resentment. (Coming from observation... maybe less forhead botox)

[@noahestus6830]

How many ruined childhoods, how many ruined relationships, how much repressed issues kicked down the road. Why do we allow this substance, why do we promote it, why do we use it. I don’t want government oversight, I want it to fall out of favor and go away. This parasite of families.

[@JTR253]

Shariah Law

[@samanthaproffitt7644]

If it wasn't alcohol, it would be something else. We are addicts. It shows up I'm every facet of my life.

[@kevinwalsh4652]

Saying "antebellum" has ruined zero people, they got caught up in the state sponsored narrative 😭😢

[@l.a.3479]

​@@kevinwalsh4652Irrelevant to this interview

[@karavannatter3108]

Wow my daughter Cassie would like this

[@samanthaproffitt7644]

Recover out loud!

[@TeresaMom1]

Asking Cassie the question 'Why did you stay' is so typical of all of you. All of you famed people just think well I will just leave this marriage because I don't like something and the kids will just have to deal with it, like it's just the normal thing to do to just leave & divorce even after several years. I'm going to tell you right now that's one of the big problems with society these days right there. Charles succeeded with his sobriety because they chose to stay together and fight it together like it's supposed to be done. Sickness & Health.

[@dgstamper1]

ABSOLUTELY SPOT ON!!!!! ❤️🙌👏 I CAN'T LOVE YOUR STATEMENT ENOUGH!!!!

[@bleuskye8124]

For better or worse in sickness and in health.

[@mariemaladorno8788]

Best of luck to their family. Is that a photo of Stevie Nicks over the first fireplace?

[@josaczyn]

She doesn’t t say that she attends meetings. They don’t discuss alcoholism as a disease either and several poignant points of alcoholism.

[@l.a.3479]

Just because they don't discuss or mention certain things in the interview doesn't mean they don't do them. We don't have a right to know everything about how they're dealing with this.

[@Jeff-io2zn]

Congratulations. Yall achieved something I've been doing for 59 yrs. It's a choice you make. Good luck

[@timothyslaughter476]

One good song....but it was a huge hit.....congratulations on something more important.

[@albertmontoya6413]

Once you realize your an alcoholic it's easier to become sober good luck to that family.

[@josaczyn]

That’s the first step is admitting you’re an alcoholic and you are powerless over alcohol.

[@l.a.3479]

*you're or you are

[@denicebradley545]

I wish my son had found the strength to get help- suicide was Not the answer

[@michelleallen4052]

My father died of being an alcoholic. They found him dead in this house, and he was an alcoholic, and he would beat his father when I was in high school I didn’t even know how long he was an alcoholic, and I was so scared to be around him, but my parents were divorced when I was three years old

[@s0fa274]

I’m so sorry for what you went through and that your father didn’t get help. Hope you’re still able to live a great life despite everything.

[@1besieged]

Charles, you have done a great job, qutting the alcohol, you seem older, more mature, I hope you have a pre-nup.. that is about as scary as being an alcoholic (if you don't have one and an NDA) agreement.

[@angelineschmidbauer9320]

Would never have,guessed!

[@l.a.3479]

What do you mean by that? Alcohol abuse affects famous and non-famous people alike.

[@patrinajasso5689]

She stayed because of the 💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰. Let's be real cause love isn't enough.

[@phendrahend9530]

Meetings, meetings, meetings! Congratulations! I'd say good luck, but this is work, nothing lucky about it!

[@nitachondria]

disappointed, Gayle. they tried to whitewash their band name by changing it to a name already being used by a black woman who goes by Lady A.

[@Jinka1950]

Why is getting sober celebrated as if one split the molecule or cured cancer? How about just getting sober is enuff and I understand humility should be enuff. .::.. stop grandstanding.

[@kathleenjmck]

It's not grandstanding! You have NO idea how many people he helped by coming out and sharing the struggles.

[@dgstamper1]

INDEED!!!! He has millions of fans who love this group and each one of its members! I applaud Charles for doing this interview! He could've easily kept it private! His fans need to see that even successful people can fall down and get back up. ❤ for family and his friend won here! If this doesn't hit you in your feels, then that's sadly on you!

[@l.a.3479]

*enough

[@l.a.3479]

Spoken by someone who has never dealt with alcohol abuse or trying to get sober themselves...SMH

[@Itsmehi456]

Hmmm … He looks older and more tired now.

[@roseschulze1647]

I think he looks wonderful ❤

[@Sabouma28]

and way too thin

[@dgstamper1]

HE LOOKS SOBER, TIRED, AND RELIEVED!!! YEARS OF TEARING DOWN TAKE TIME TO REBUILD!

[@l.a.3479]

He has always been skinny...nothing new with that observation.​@@Sabouma28

[@parler8698]

Waking up in a bush.

[@tooldread1]

Lady antebellum yea i remember them. Who is lady a?

[@l.a.3479]

Don't be stupid.

[@RaptureReady-Nethinim]

Find Jesus friend, that is all you need! Man will never be able to fully heal you! Meetings are a waste, Jesus is the answer! In this industry you worship Satan, best to you Charles, you won't find true peace until you repent and turn to Jesus!

[@l.a.3479]

Many times Jesus uses "earthly" things and people to heal--doctors, therapists, AA, etc.

[@vincecapri1]

They getting a divorse in 12 months

[@lisafrischknecht8786]

Lady Antebellum you mean😮

[@ashleytchannel5403]

They changed their name to Lady A a little while back

[@StigmataMarty]

The A stands for alcoholics

[@annsouthcott5485]

He doesn't come across as someone who is really sorry. All the smiling is annoying.

[@l.a.3479]

It doesn't matter how he comes across to us--as long as he's honest and sincere with those whom he hurt, those whom he loves, and those who love him.

[@janking8009]

That explains why he was so annoying

[@l.a.3479]

How was he "annoying"?

[@jerome495]

Gayle king? Yuck

[@l.a.3479]

She's not my favorite TV journalist, either, but you don't have to be rude with your juvenile response.

[@KanaTron]

I used to listen to them... until they sold out.

[@loristromski1334]

You are way more than a addict

[@l.a.3479]

That's not even a thing.

[@l.a.3479]

*an

[@susanbobbitt9119]

Man’s not happy!

[@l.a.3479]

You don't know whether he is or not.

[@PaulDoe79]

Lady A is a black artist... Lady ANTEBELLUM is the group that stole her name

[@11ATW]

Lady Antebellum

[@gloriatemael2510]

U guys ate evil

[@loristromski1334]

She hasn't forgiven him...

[@l.a.3479]

You don't know that. Regardless, it's none of our business.

[@mevrammcoyoteV8f150]

This Woke band still together

[@paulfindude8743]

What the heck, why are they now Lady A?

[@Sabouma28]

have you been living under a rock?

[@paulfindude8743]

@@Sabouma28 I guess I have. So…… why are they now lady A?

[@Sabouma28]

@@paulfindude8743 "Lady Antebellum switched to Lady A in June 2020 in the wake of protests against racism and police violence, citing criticism that the name glorified the slavery-era South. The band said the name had not been intended as racist, but that they had had their “eyes opened” by recent events."

[@QWNSWORDS]

Alcohol is not good for anyone. Period