Charles Kelley is officially six months sober.
Kelley, who is one part of the GRAMMY award-winning trio Lady A, took to his Instagram stories on Monday (Jan 2) to showcase gratitude for his fans and peers amid his sobriety journey.
“Just celebrated six months sober and really grateful for all of you sharing your stories as well,” he captioned the video.
In the clip, the 41-year-old Georgia native graciously thanked fans and reflected on his sobriety journey so far.
“Hey everybody, just wanted to wish you all a Happy 2023, may this be the best year yet,” Kelley began.
”My wife [Cassie] reminded me actually a couple of days ago that I’d hit my six-month sobriety mark. Woo-hoo, couldn’t have done it without her above all my bandmates, so much support, God. Gosh, I just wanted to say just the comments and the shares from my song ‘As Far As You Could’ have been just amazing,” he continued.
The singer/songwriter then shared well-wishes for others who are getting sober.
“I’ve been praying for all of y’all as well. I know a lot of people are going through this journey or have someone that they love going through this journey and it means the world,” he said. “Just feeling super blessed and just going to try to keep doing the next right thing is what I keep telling myself. I’m just really enjoying this journey. Cannot wait to get back out on the road with my bandmates and yeah make some music. Love you guys.”
Charles Kelley recently released an emotional new song called “As Far As You Could,” which serves as his “goodbye letter to alcohol.”
“For me, the biggest word I’ve been holding on to is gratitude, not pride. I’m grateful. I finally see the light and am connecting with what life is all about,” Kelley shared in a press release. ”Some days are hard, but the good so outweighs those bad moments,” the 41-year-old Georgia native continued. “There’s some beauty in all this and I’ve had time to reflect, time to get healthy, time to write. I’ve probably written 50 songs this fall, and I feel like all of it was leading to this one song.”
“Hillary [Scott] especially felt it was important for me to tell my story, kind of the same way she was able to do with ‘Thy Will.’ With their blessing, I’m putting this out, but it will live right alongside everything else we do,” Kelley added.
The tune, which was co-written and produced by Kelley alongside Dave Haywood and Jimmy Robbins, finds Kelley detailing his struggles with alcohol addiction, how it impacted his life and those around him as well as his dependency on needing a drink to take the stage.
“Cause you took me high / but you sure as hell brought me down / you said goodbye… But I’m gonna see you around / and to tell the truth / I thought I never would / but it’s time I finally put you down for good / cause you’ve taken me as far as you could,” Kelley sings on the chorus.
The lyrics of the tune then reference the impact that his addiction had on his wife, Cassie, as he vows to put down the bottle for good before concluding with Kelly conquering alcoholism.
Kelley’s wife, Cassie, recently discussed her husband’s alcoholism on Instagram in a heartfelt post shared on Dec. 23.
“This time last year I was waiting up for my husband who was deep in the grips of alcoholism, to come home from a night out,” she recalled. “As I watched the minutes tick away in the early morning hours I just prayed that he would get in before our son woke up. Now, a year later, he is clear-eyed as he tucks him in bed at night.”
She went on to open up about “As Far As You Could” and the impact she hopes the song will have on others.
“This song is part of Charles’ testimony to his life in recovery from alcohol addiction,” she continued. “It’s part of our family’s story. It’s the recovery that we wake up and ask God to help us walk every day. So if you are reading this, and you are in a hard place, please know that there is another way… You CAN feel peace. As a recovering codependent wife of an alcoholic, I am living proof that one day at a time in recovery can change a life. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is reach out, but there is a whole community in recovery that is waiting with open arms, to help you and your family. You are worth it and I love you. And I love you too, Charles Kelley.”
On November 22, Cassie detailed a harrowing moment Charles’ addiction led her to tears while on vacation in early 2022.
“A little less than five months ago I was sitting on the ground in a tiny European paradise airport sobbing and completely broken by the disease of alcoholism,” she recalled. “To be honest, when I listen to this song I can hardly believe we are here – in awe actually at the way God moves & heals & makes a way. Look who’s standing now. I am by no means an expert in recovery but I can share my experience, strength and hope for any of you who are struggling in an addicted marriage.”
Kelley’s wife also encouraged those who are also suffering from alcoholism to seek help, while also sharing gratitude for those who have supported Kelley’s journey.
“We survive this struggle one step at a time, together, and you don’t have to suffer alone,” Cassie shared. “I am so grateful for the recovery community and the ways our family has been surrounded with love and hope and faith. This song is Charles’ goodbye letter to alcohol, and it’s my ‘thank you’ to the village who continues to heal our family. It’s why I keep coming back.”
The song comes months after Lady A was forced to cancel their headlining tour Request Line Tour in an effort to support Kelley’s “journey to sobriety.” At the time of the tour’s cancelation, the “Summer State Of Mind” singers said that they would be taking their time off to focus on their families as Kelley works to become sober.
“We are a band, but more importantly…we’re family,” Lady A collectively shared. ”We’re proud to say that Charles has embarked on a journey to sobriety. So, right now in order to be the healthiest, strongest and most creative band we can be, Lady A will take the time with the support of our families and team of professionals to walk through this together.”
In early August of 2022, Kelley broke his silence to graciously thank fans for their support and encouragement on his sobriety journey thus far.
“I want to thank everyone who has shown me so much support and encouragement so far on my journey of sobriety,” Kelley wrote. “Y’alls kind words have meant the world to me and really lifted me up over the past few weeks. I can’t wait to get back on the road with Lady A next year.”
At the time, Kelley admitted that he is thankful to be able to get to spend time focusing on his family and health.
“Getting on that stage and being able to see, hear and feel everything through a clearer lens is going to be a gift that I won’t take for granted. I’m grateful for this time to focus on my family and my health,” Kelley continued.
This isn’t the first time that Kelley has released music on his own. In February of 2016, Kelley released his debut solo album, The Driver, which features fan-favorite tunes such as “Leaving Nashville,” “The Driver,” “Lonely Girl,” and more.
If you or someone you love is struggling with substance abuse, call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.
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