Lady Antebellum Thank Shania Twain for Door-Busting Skills

Lady Antebellum are living the dream. The trio members -- Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood -- continue to rack up awards and No. 1 singles, making them one of the most successful groups in country -- and pop -- music. While their soaring vocals, tight harmonies and well-crafted tunes have helped them succeed, the threesome say they owe a lot to one of their predecessors, who is currently sharing chart space with them.

"Shania [Twain] really helped bust down the doors as far as bringing in a bigger audience, a little more of a contemporary sound. She's one of the first big crossovers," Charles tells CMT. "Obviously with 'Need You Now,' we had a little taste of that. I think Shania definitely opened the doors for that. She makes some of the best records. You look back at those records and they're just phenomenal."

The three singer-songwriters believe that Shania, who is back on the radio with her current single, 'Today Is Your Day,' is of the same high caliber as another country music icon.

"There have been a lot of really strong, successful female artists in this genre, but Shania is definitely one that you put up with Reba [McEntire]," Hillary notes. "She's in that category of just giving girls and women the courage to be sexy and to not be ashamed of it. And to be true to who she is. I've been inspired by that. And she represents women. From the standpoint of being in a band with two guys, I love that about her."

While the Lady A members sing the praises of their elder artists, they also credit the popularity of another much younger singer, with helping their own music stay at the top of the charts. "I appreciate how much [Taylor Swift has] remained true to being country and staying on these country networks and country events," Charles adds. "There's always a little bit of gray area when you go towards the pop format, and I know she's gotten flack for things, but she's remained a Nashvillian who plays country music. I think it's been a huge impact on the genre."

It's the diversity of country music, which embraces songs such as 'Man! I Feel Like a Woman,' 'Consider Me Gone' and 'Fearless,' that drew them each to the format.

"It runs the gamut, doesn't it? It's all over," Charles acknowledges. "I think there are a lot of artists that are very traditional. I think someone can be a fan of someone like Josh Turner and then turn around and be a big fan of someone like Taylor Swift because, at the end of the day, it's all about those songs. I feel like country music has the best songwriting and the best songs of any genre."

His fellow lead singer couldn't agree more. "There are so many music genres competing against each other, but I feel like country music has always been a unified front," Hillary adds. "I hope, though, when people do look back on this era, they'll see a different level of camaraderie. That's one thing that we feel a lot right now in this season of where we are."

The award-winning trio might feel the love in country music, but pop music has embraced them as well. The recent recipients of the BMI Pop Award, their current single, 'Just a Kiss,' landed in the Top 10 in both the country and Billboard 100 charts. They are currently touring the country in anticipation of their new album, 'Own the Night,' which will hit shelves on September 13. Keep track of their schedule here.