Lady Antebellum, a country group that has enjoyed rare pop success with the award-winning single "Need You Now," will make its first Twin Cities headline appearance Oct. 22 at Northrop Auditorium at the University of Minnesota.

The Grammy-winning trio, featuring Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood, was named best new artist at the Country Music Association Awards in 2008 and this year is nominated for five CMA prizes, including entertainer, album and single of the year (for "Need You Now"). Last year, Lady A grabbed the CMA single of the year for "I Run to You" and ended Rascal Flatts' six-year reign as the CMA's top vocal group. The Academy of Country Music named "Need You Now" its single and song of the year in April.

Opening the concert is much lauded newcomer David Nail, known for the country hit "Red Light."

Tickets, priced from $33.50 to $50, will go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at Northrop ticket office, 612-624-2345 and www.northrop.umn.edu.

JON BREAM