With a tour and a new label, being back together feels good for Lady Antebellum

When Lady Antebellum announced in 2015 that the band would take a hiatus, there were rumors that the country trio was breaking up.

But Lady A, which will co-headline Oct. 4 with Darius Rucker at Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek, came back quickly with 2017’s “Heart Break.”

In a phone interview with vocalist-guitarist Charles Kelley from his Nashville home, he explains why his band remains a priority and what it’s like to tour with his best friend Rucker.

Q: Some fans thought it was all over for Lady A when the band decided to take a break. Were you close to calling it quits?

A: No. (Vocalist) Hillary (Scott) always wanted to a do a Christian record. She had her children to tend to. She wanted to take time off. We (multi-instrumentalist Dave Haywood and Kelley) supported her. I wanted to make a solo album. The time away from each other made us crave getting back together. It’s actually good to get a break. We all knew that it wasn’t a break-up from the start. However, the fans don’t know that. We just tried to find balance. There’s our band and then there’s family.

Q: What kind of impact has your son has had on you as a songwriter?

A: I just want to do everything for this kid. The success is more sweeter when you have a family. We don’t have mundane moments. It’s exciting all of the time. I’m more inspired than ever.

Q: Earlier this month you switched labels. What kind of impact has there been by signing on to the Big Machine Label Group?

A: It brings a whole new level of excitement to our band. We’ve written 50 songs over the last six months and the label is so excited. They’re flipping out over songs. The label’s enthusiasm has had a huge impact on us.

Q: When will you return to the studio?

A: We’re going to record when we’re on break, which is December and January.

Q: What’s it like touring with your pal, Darius Rucker?

A: It’s amazing since Darius is one of my favorite people in the business. We’re best buddies. We play a lot of golf together.

Q: Who is the better golfer?

A: We play around the same level but I did grow up in Augusta, Ga., and you grow up with a golf club in your hand. I might be up on him a bit but we just played Pine Valley (in New Jersey) , which is one of the nicest courses in the country and Darius beat me up bad on that course. I love playing golf with him and sharing a stage with Darius, who has like 30-plus No. 1 hits.

Q: Do you all jam together at some point?

A: Yes. We each play our own set and then we jam during the encore. It’s the highlight of the show for me.

Q: Is it more difficult putting a setlist together now when you may not have time for to play all of your hits or was it more difficult at the start of your career?

A: That’s a tough one since I remember what it was like at the beginning of our career when we were opening for Tim McGraw. I remember thinking, ‘Man, he’s not playing half of his hits.’ We’re not at that point but when you play a 90-minute set, you try to cover all of the bases and it’s an accomplishment. It’s tough to put it all together.

I’m the guy that makes up the set list. If I had to choose what situation is better for writing the setlist, I would rather be where we are now. I remember what it was like strategically placing our two or three hits in the right spot. Now it’s pretty much a big sing-along. It’s fun being out there with Darius.

Q: What was it like when your Georgia Bulldogs played Rucker’s South Carolina Gamecocks a few weeks ago?

A: Darius streamed that game. He’s really into it. Fortunately the Bulldogs dominated.

Q: You’re a really tall singer-songwriter. How come most entertainers are so short? (Kelley is 6-foot-6.)

A: It’s weird and it’s true that there are so many shorter people in this industry. I think maybe shorter guys fight harder for success. That’s the only thing I can think of. But there’s some taller guys making it. Look at Sam Hunt, who is really tall. I could give some inches away and it would be all right. It’s easier for guys smaller than me to get clothes. I wouldn’t mind it if clothes shopping was easier.

Details

Who: Darius Rucker with Lady Antebellum and Russell Dickerson

When: 7 p.m., Thursday Oct. 4

Where: Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek, 3801 Rock Quarry Road

Cost: $34.25, $39, $54.25, $99, $183.25, $333.25

Info: LiveNation.com or 919-831-6400