When Lady A (formerly Lady Antebellum) teamed up with rock legend Stevie Nicks for a CMT Crossroads performance of Need You Now, the result was nothing short of magical. The 2012 collaboration united two generations of storytellers, blending Lady A’s modern country harmonies with Nicks’ iconic, raspy, mystical voice—and the chemistry was instant.
From the first haunting piano note, the audience was captivated. Hillary Scott’s silky lead vocals intertwined effortlessly with Nicks’ signature tone, giving the Grammy-winning ballad a fresh layer of emotional intensity. Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood added their harmonies, wrapping Stevie’s voice in a warm, seamless embrace. The stripped-down arrangement, enhanced by moody lighting and subtle, echoing guitar, gave the song a cinematic feel.
Nicks, as enchanting as ever, didn’t just sing—she embodied the song’s yearning. Draped in her signature shawl, she swayed with every line, her voice cracking with raw vulnerability on the bridge: “I’d rather hurt than feel nothing at all.” Lady A watched in awe, clearly honored to share the stage with one of their musical heroes.
The performance felt like a full-circle moment—Stevie Nicks, the queen of poetic heartbreak, lending her legendary voice to a modern classic about love and longing. Fans and critics alike hailed it as one of the best Crossroads collaborations ever. As Stevie herself later reflected, “Some songs just find you when you need them.” On that night, Need You Now found its perfect match.
