Spotlight On: Sugarland
Despite their recent loss to Lady Antebellum for the Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals Award at the 52nd Grammy Awards, Sugarland’s dynamic duo of Kristian Bush and Jennifer Nettles have already solidified their position as part of the country music scene’s newest crop of talents representing the modern country sound with their unique brand of country music songs. Their latest album released in 2008, entitled “Love on the Inside,” has already produced three No. 1 singles—”All I Want to Do,” “Already Gone,” and “It Happens.”
Founded in 2003, Sugarland was originally a duo consisting of Bush and Kristen Hall. It later became a trio when Nettles came on board as the lead singer. Amidst controversies, Hall left the band in 2005, restoring Sugarland into its original format. Although all three members became part of Sugarland just a few years ago, they all respectively enjoyed successful solo careers. Bush, a native of Knoxville, TN, was the other half of the rock duo Billy Pilgrim dishing out together with Andrew Hyra. Hall had already been a folk singer-songwriter and a roadie for the Indigo Girls. Nettles, on the other hand, used to be the front woman dishing out country music songs for Atlanta-bands called Soul Miner’s Daughter and the Jennifer Nettles Band.
Collectively, all three artists have been responsible for the great success of Sugarland’s debut album, “Twice the Speed of Life,” which was released in 2004. Four tracks from the album all had Top 20 spots at the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts including “Baby Girl” (No. 2), “Something More” (No. 2), “Just Might (Make Me Believe)” (No. 7), and “Down in Mississippi (Up to No Good)” (No. 17) all contributing to outstanding record sales of two million copies. This album also earned them a Grammy nomination for the Best New Artist Award. The success of their debut album was followed by their equally successful sophomore album entitled, “Enjoy the Ride,” twoTop 10 hit songs- “Want To” and “Settlin’.”
In Sugarland’s short lifetime, the duo has already released three albums, all of which have been certified hits. Their third album, “Love on the Inside,” featuring new country songs such as “All I Want to Do,” and “Already Gone,” as well as a cover of the old hit “Life in a Northern Town,” among others. This was followed by their Love on the Inside Tour, which was later released into a DVD containing the duo’s performances while on the road. At present, the duo can boast of a harvest of awards from the major award winning bodies such as the Grammys, the CMAs, the CMT Music Awards, and the ACM awards. The highlights include Vocal Duo of the Year (CMT, 2007 and 2009), (CMA, 2008); Song of the Year (ACM, 2008); and Best Country Collaboration With Vocals ( Grammy, 2007): to name a few.
At present, the duo is set to headline “The Incredible Machine” tour and will be releasing their fourth studio album containing new country songs this year. Get more Sugarland news and updates at: http://www.sugarlandmusic.com/.
