Charles Burgess Kelley (born September 11, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter and founding member of the country music trio Lady Antebellum, which was formed in 2006 and are signed to Capitol Nashville.
Kelley was born in Augusta, Georgia, the youngest of three boys of Gayle and Dr. John W. Kelley, a cardiologist. He began his musical career at the age of 11. His older brother, Josh Kelley, is also a musician and singer. As teenagers, Charles, Josh and oldest brother John formed a band called Inside Blue; the band released a five-song CD that garnered the attention of a major label. In middle school, Kelley met Dave Haywood and, at the age of 14, they wrote their first song. They both graduated from Lakeside High School in Evans, Georgia.
Kelley attended the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, where he was a member of the Nu Zeta chapter of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He graduated in 2004 with a degree in finance.