Lady Antebellum plays ‘mini-prom’

The Grammy Award-winning country music trio Lady Antebellum performed a “mini-prom” for students of a southern Indiana town that was devastated by a tornado in early March.

Henryville Junior-Senior High School students won an online contest to bring in the top-selling act, which also was playing a full benefit concert later Wednesday at the KFC Yum Center in nearby Louisville, Ky. At a prom-style party in Louisville’s downtown arena overlooking the Ohio River, the band surprised the students by playing for them in a private show. Teens in casual clothes cheered and screamed under a disco ball hung over the dance floor.

“Each and every one of you have inspired us, and we’re so honored to be here, I know it’s your second prom technically,” said singer Hillary Scott. The band couldn’t play at the high school’s actual prom last month because of a scheduling conflict.

Henryville was hit by two tornadoes – one packing 175 mph winds – on a day when storms killed 13 people in Indiana and 24 in Kentucky.

Gospel singer assaulted in carjacking

Popular Detroit pastor and gospel singer Marvin Winans was assaulted and carjacked Wednesday afternoon at a gas station on the city’s west side. The attack happened about 3:20 p.m., and the suspects fled with an unknown amount of cash and Winans’ SUV, police said.

Winans, 54, said he didn’t believe he was seriously hurt, but planned to seek medical attention.

Winans is pastor of the 4,500-member Perfecting Church on Detroit’s east side. He believes his attackers didn’t recognize him. In February, Winans gave singer Whitney Houston’s eulogy.

The birthday bunch

Singer Taj Mahal is 70. Singer-songwriter Jesse Winchester is 68. Actor Bill Paxton is 57. Boxing Hall-of-Famer Sugar Ray Leonard is 56. Actor-comedian Bob Saget is 56. Singer Enya is 51. Talk show host-actor Craig Ferguson is 50. Singer-musician Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails) is 47. Rock singer Andrea Corr (The Corrs) is 38.