Lady Antebellum have been contacted by rock music icon Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders, but her request, rather than musical, is ethical in nature. The singer, a longstanding advocate for animal rights, wrote to the trio after learning that Lady A are scheduled to perform at the KFC franchisees' meeting in San Diego on March 3.

In the letter, forwarded to The Boot by a PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) representative, Hynde asks the group to urge KFC to "heed its own advisory panel's recommendations to adopt less cruel slaughter practices," adding that "birds killed for KFC are routinely scalded to death in defeathering tanks."

Citing "cruel and archaic slaughter practices," Hynde's letter states that "my friends at PETA and I are hoping that you will use your unique position to appeal to the company. With your influential public platform, KFC might not so easily turn a deaf ear to you."

She concludes by writing: "Would you consider asking KFC executives to make a few changes to end the worst abuses of chickens? Let's talk more," and provides the group with contact information to reach out to her. (Read Chrissie's full letter here.)

While the tone of this particular request seems pleasant enough (thus far), PETA's relationship with another country music act, Blake Shelton, has been downright contentious in the past. In 2009, the singer and the animal-rights group locked horns via Twitter, after which the group banned Blake from receiving their Twitter updates.

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