News 12 First at 5 / Monday, February 14, 2011

EVANS, Ga.---It's the biggest night in music and Augusta favorite Lady Antebellum comes away big, leaving the night with their arms full of Grammy awards.

Now the Augusta area is celebrating right along with them.

The hometown superstars have done it again. Lady Antebellum took home five Grammy awards including song of the year, record of the year, best country album, best country song and best country vocal performance by a group.

Of course two of the three members, Dave Haywood and Charles Kelley grew up in the area, and went to high school in Evans. News 12 stopped by Lakeside High, where the school was buzzing after the big night.

It's lunch at Lakeside High School, but most of the teens and teachers aren't talking about french fries, Monday it's all about the country superstars Lady Antebellum.

"You could hear the kids this morning talking...a lot of excitement," says Tim Reeve, Assistant Principal at Lakeside High School.

"All the kids are like...Did you see it? Did you see Lady A, did you see Lady A?" Mrs. Sheila Hancock, taught both David and Charles.

"There was just a little happiness...a little giddiness," adds Mr. Reeve.

Sunday night the trio, made up of Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, and Hilliary Scott cleaned up taking home an amazing five Grammy awards.

"This is just inspiring us to work harder and to try and create better music," Hilliary told press after the award show.

"We're going...oh they won't get that one look at all the people in the category and then they win and you go, oh my!" Exclaims Mrs. Hancock.

"It just made me very proud for them and their families. America has embraced them and loved them and they have given us something to be very proud of," says Mr. Reeve.

Dave and Charles both grew up in Evans, and graduated from Lakeside. There was even an Augusta shout out.

"They are really sincere, they are truly thankful and they know this is more of a miracle than anything else," says Mrs. Hancock.

And it may be that sincerity that has them sweeping the nation, but it means a little some extra for folks walking these halls.

"They were in class...maybe in a seat I sat in at one time or same classroom I've been in before, just learning like we are right now, cutting up in class, not paying attention, not doing their work just like we do today. I don't know I guess it's surreal I guess," says 11th grader Luke Reeve.

"They're extremely good role models for students here, students everywhere," adds chorus teacher Mrs. Stacy Branch.

A big night for the two famous members of the class of 2000, after one really big song.

"Just know we're very proud of you and look forward to you coming home," says Mr. Reeve.

Mrs. Branch says the group has given them full permission to re-arrange one of their songs for a performance at the school later this year. It's just another way the group has given back to the school since their rise to fame.

News 12 also caught up with Dave Haywood's mother. His family still lives in the area. They were ecstatic about the big night.

Haywood's mother, Angie was watching on the couch, with her iPad and went screaming around the room when she heard her son won for song of the year. It was an award they had hoped for, but sure didn't expect.

"Just so blown away for song of the year...when they were up for song of the year I screamed, jumped up and down just went to the TV, we were crying and just couldn't believe it. The song of the year? There were just no words...just total shock. You know, we're just looking at each other and saying, did that just happen?" Says Angie Haywood, Dave's mother.

"He called and he said, how did we sound? Just like any kid wants to ask their mom...Did I do okay? Oh Dave, it's just wonderful we're so proud of you. We can not believe this. Congratulations!" She adds.

Angie says the group is back in the studio working on the next album, the only tease she'll release is that the new music will be worth the wait.

And the buzz wasn't just at Lakeside High School.

Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver is catching Lady A fever too. He wants to shut down a major Augusta street to celebrate. The mayor says he'd like to see a parade along Broad Street.

The challenge now is setting a date to get the band back in town.

"Anything we can do to honor them and celebrate their success. I am willing to do. I know that their schedule is probably tough but I would love to see it go down Broad Street. I think that would be appropriate for them, and I think that we can make that happen," says Mayor Deke Copenhaver "

Law enforcement says the cost could range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. It all depends on the size of the celebration.