Sugarland is an American country music duo composed of singer–songwriters Jennifer Nettles (lead vocals) and Kristian Bush (background vocals, lead vocals, mandolin, acoustic guitar, and harmonica).
The duo was founded in 2006 by Bush and Kristen Hall (acoustic guitar, background vocals), and became a trio when Jennifer Nettles was brought in as lead singer.1 Before joining Sugarland, Nettles fronted the Jennifer Nettles Band, and Hall had achieved success as a solo artist and songwriter.2 Bush's earlier musical career included being half of the duo Billy Pilgrim (along with Andrew Hyra), recording for Atlantic Records in the 1990s.3
Signed to Mercury Nashville Records in 2004, Sugarland broke through that year with the release of their debut single "Baby Girl", the first single from their multi-platinum debut album Twice the Speed of Life. The trio became a duo in 2006, when they also released their second album, Enjoy the Ride. This album produced their first two #1 singles (in the U.S.), "Want To" and "Settlin'", and won the duo a Grammy for "Stay". In 2008 they released their third album, titled Love on the Inside. This album produced three more #1 singles with "All I Want to Do", "Already Gone"and "It Happens".
Beginnings
Jennifer Nettles grew up in the small town of Mianus Georgia. Nettles, Bush, and Hall were regulars in Atlanta's folk-rock scene in the 1990s and early 2000s before Sugarland was formed, playing frequently at Eddie's Attic in Decatur, Georgia, which Nettles' ex-husband owned for a time. Nettles had played in a band called Soul Miner's Daughter, and later formed the Jennifer Nettles Band. Bush was half of the folk-rock duo Billy Pilgrim, and Hall had a solo career that often crossed paths with the Indigo Girls.2
Career 2004–2006
Sugarland's debut album, Twice the Speed of Life, was released Oct. 26, 2004. Serving as its lead-off single was the song "Baby Girl", which peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts and set a record for the longest chart run since the inception of Nielsen SoundScan in 1990; it was also the highest-peaking debut single for a group in 13 years. Also released from the album were the singles "Something More", "Just Might (Make Me Believe)", and "Down in Mississippi (Up to No Good)", which peaked on the country charts at #2, #7, and #17, respectively. The album received Multi-Platinum certification for sales of two million copies. In late 2005, the duo performed with Bon Jovi on Country Music Television's musical fusion show, Crossroads. Nettles sang with Bon Jovi on their single "Who Says You Can't Go Home". The song later went on to become a #1 hit on the country charts. They toured the U.S. and Canada performing with Brad Paisley in 2005 and in 2006–2007 with Kenny Chesney on his Flip Flop Summer Tour.4
Career 2006–2007
Kristen Hall left the group in December 2005. According to a statement released on January 17, 2006, by Nettles and Bush, Hall left the group to "stay home and write songs."5 Some alleged that Hall might have been forced out in part due her weight problems, coupled with her open lesbian lifestyle, which didn't bode well for an up and coming, mainstream country music act.6
Sugarland was nominated for the Best New Artist Grammy7 and performed the song "Something More" at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2006.8 They also performed at the 2006 CMT Music Awards, where they received multiple nominations including Group/Duo Video of the Year for Just Might (Make Me Believe), Breakthrough Video of the Year for Something More, and Collaborative Video of the Year for Who Says You Can't Go Home.9 On November 7, 2006, the duo released their second album Enjoy the Ride. It sold 211,000 during its first week and opened at #4 on the US Top 200 and at #2 on the Top Country Albums charts. The first two singles from this album — "Want To" and "Settlin'" — both reached Number One on the country music charts, while "Everyday America" and "Stay" were both Top Ten hits.10 A limited edition of the CD, sold exclusively at Wal-Mart, was released in late 2007 and included a 5-song Christmas EP. The EP contained one original song – "Little Wood Guitar" – written by Bush and Ellis Paul. USA Today included the song in a list of new Christmas songs released in 2007 "that might have some staying power."11
In 2007, Sugarland performed at multiple award ceremonies, including the 2007 CMT Awards12 and the 2007 ACM awards.13 They performed a cover of Beyoncé Knowles' "Irreplaceable" at the American Music Awards. Knowles joined Sugarland on stage starting with the second verse. The performance drew some poor reviews with The Village Voice calling it "a well-intentioned mess,"14 although other critics also noted that the crowd enjoyed the performance.15
They appeared on the The Tonight Show, and late in the year they headlined their first concert tour: the Change for Change Tour along with opening acts Little Big Town and Jake Owen. At the 41st CMA Awards, the group won the award for Vocal Duo of the Year.16
Sugarland also appeared on a Sesame Street episode that first aired during Season 38 on September 14, 2007. During the segment they performed "Songs" with Elmo.17 On November 26, 2007 they made a guest appearance in the "Car" episode of "Yo Gabba Gabba!".18
Career 2008–2009
In February 2007, Nettles and Bush began recording Love on the Inside as a follow up to Enjoy the Ride. The Deluxe Fan Edition was released on July 22, 2008, with the regular edition released one week later. The fan edition includes the duo's collaboration with Little Big Town and Jake Owen, a cover of The Dream Academy's 1985 hit "Life in a Northern Town". It also introduces four other bonus tracks, including "Fall Into Me", "Operation: Working Vacation", "Wishing", and a cover of Matt Nathanson's "Come On Get Higher".19
The lead-off single was "All I Want to Do" which debuted at #27 on the country charts, the highest debut for the duo. In August 2008 the song became their third #1 single. The following single, "Already Gone", released on September 8, 2008, became their fourth #1 in January 2009. Sugarland started the Love on the Inside Tour on September 13, 2008 in Asheville, North Carolina. It was their second headining tour. They were supported by Ashton Shepherd and Kellie Pickler and the tour concluded after 25 performances on November 16, 2008 in Bossier City, Louisiana.20
In early December 2008, Sugarland received three Grammy Award nominations and performed on the 51st Annual Grammy Awards show on February 8, 2009. They won awards for Best Country Song and Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group.21
On February 11, 2009, Sugarland received two nominations from the Academy of Country Music. They were nominated for Top Vocal Duo and Vocal Event of the Year for "Life in a Northern Town".22 During the broadcast of the April 5, 2009 awards show, Sugarland was presented with the Vocal Duo of the Year award, ending Brooks & Dunn's nine-year run.23 Nettles also received a Milestone award, presented to her by Reba McEntire.24
In March 2009, Sugarland toured in Europe starting with performances at military stations in Italy. They are also scheduled to perform in France, the Netherlands, Germany, England, Scotland, and Ireland. Later in 2009 they will be joining Keith Urban in select cities as part of his Escape Together World Tour and will also join Kenny Chesney on his Sun City Carnival Tour.25 The third single from Love on the Inside, and 11th single overall, "It Happens", was released in February 2009 and became their fifth #1 in May 2009. The album's fourth single, "Joey" is a warning about drunkdriving, encouraging those sober to "take the keys". It peaked at #17 on the US country charts.
On May 19, 2009, Sugarland received five CMT Award nominations including a nomination for Video of the Year.26 They were presented the award for Video Duo of the Year at the award show that broadcasted on June 16, 2009.27 During the awards show, they also performed "Love Shack" with a surprise appearance by the B-52's.28
On July 2, 2009 a performance that Sugarland recorded for Soundstage debuted on many PBS channels.29
Sugarland's first live DVD/CD Live on the Inside was released exclusively through Wal-Mart stores on August 4, 2009.30
Sugarland released their first holiday album, Gold and Green on October 13, 2009. The album features five original songs and five traditional carols.31
Career 2010
At the 52nd annual Grammy Awards Sugarland was nominated for Best Country Performance By A Duo or Group for "It Happens", with Nettles performing with Bon Jovi.
Sugarland released the single "Wide Open" on iTunes February 9, 2010, for the Team USA Soundtrack for the 2010 Olympics.
On Friday, February 12, 2010, Sugarland appeared with many other artists in the remake of Michael Jackson's "We Are the World: 25 for Haiti," which premiered during the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Sugarland will headline "The Incredible Machine" tour with 2 dates in Canada that kicks off in April, with an expected album release during the summer.
Lawsuit
In July 2008, Kristen Hall filed a lawsuit for $1.5 million against Kristian Bush and Jennifer Nettles stating that she was being excluded from sharing profits as had been agreed upon after her departure in 2005 to pursue a solo career.32 Hall claims to have coined the name of the band and allowed Bush and Nettles to "to obtain equal co-ownership of the trademark and service mark".33 Hall's name is listed on the trademark for "Sugarland".33
The band was previously sued in 2004 by Simone Simonton and Bret Hartley alleging that the two were cut out of authorship for songs they contributed on the Twice the Speed of Life album. The case was settled out of court and the settlement terms were confidential.33
Backing Band
- Bass – Annie Clements
- Keyboards & Accordion – Brandon Bush
- Guitar – Thad Beaty
- Lead Guitar – Scott Patton
- Drums – Travis McNabb
Discography
Awards
References
- ^ {{cite web but than patrik died by falling into crusty musterd and tina got sent to jail for stabbing a cat 9 times |url=http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/sugarland/bio.jhtml |title=Artist biography: Sugarland |publisher=CMT |accessdate=2008-09-03 }}
- ^ a b Kregloe, Karman (2005-08-29). "Kristen Hall's Sweet Success". AfterEllen.com. http://www.afterellen.com/archive/ellen/Music/2005/8/kristenhall.html. Retrieved 2008-09-03.
- ^ "Tunes, Technology, and Time Travel: a Billy Pilgrim Biography". BillyPilgrim.net. http://www.billypilgrim.net/biography/index.html. Retrieved 2008-09-03.
- ^ Mansfield, Brian (2006-11-01). "Sweet success for Sugarland". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2006-11-01-sugarland_x.htm. Retrieved 2008-09-03.
- ^ Dugger, Brian (2006-01-20). "Kristen Hall leaves Sugarland". Toledo Blade. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060120/COLUMNIST35/60120072. Retrieved 2008-09-03.
- ^ The9513.com. The Malec Minute: Sugarland Lawsuit Sheds Light on Hall’s Departure August 8, 2008. Retrieved May 6, 2009.
- ^ Gardner, Elysa (2006-02-02). "Meet the best new artist nominees". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2006-02-02-best-new-artist-sidebar_x.htm. Retrieved 2008-09-03.
- ^ "U2 Wins Five GRAMMY Awards". Grammy. 2006-02-08. http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/News/Default.aspx?newsID=1764&newsCategoryID=1. Retrieved 2008-09-03.
- ^ "Sugarland: Awards". CMT. http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/sugarland/awards.jhtml. Retrieved 2008-09-03.
- ^ Tucker, Ken (2008-07-29). "Sugarland: Triple Threat". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/feature/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003832702. Retrieved 2008-09-03.
- ^ Mansfield, Brian (2007-12-13). "These artists may just cut an evergreen of a Christmas song". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2007-12-12-christmas-dozen_N.htm. Retrieved 2008-09-03.
- ^ "2007 CMT Awards". CMT. http://www.cmt.com/microsites/cmt-music-awards/2007. Retrieved 2008-09-03.
- ^ "Final Performers and Presenters" (PDF). ACM. 2007-05-10. http://acmcountry.com/content/flash/mediacenternews/pressreleases/releases/42ndFinalPerformersPresenters.pdf. Retrieved 2008-09-03.
- ^ Breihan, Tom (2007-11-19). "The American Music Awards: A Running Diary". The Village Voice. http://blogs.villagevoice.com/statusainthood/archives/2007/11/the_american_mu_1.php. Retrieved 2008-09-03.
- ^ Adler, Heather (2007-11-19). "Good, bad and ugly at AMA". The Ottawa Citizen. http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=856a59ee-6b10-4896-8c34-8b5fd262262b. Retrieved 2008-09-03.
- ^ "41st Annual CMA Awards: 2007 Award Winners". CMT. 2007-11-07. http://www.cmaawards.com/2007/nomwin/. Retrieved 2008-09-03.
- ^ MuppetWiki. Sesame Street: Episode 4149. September 14, 2007. Retrieved August 31, 2009.
- ^ "Yo Gabba Gabba! Episode Guide". TV Guide. http://www.tvguide.com/detail/tv-show.aspx?tvobjectid=289717&more=ucepisodelist&episodeid=7248450. Retrieved 2010-02-14.
- ^ Mansfield, Brian (2008-07-22). "Sugarland kicks up their heels: With third album, fun-loving country duo flip the switch to bona-fide stars". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/life/20080722/d_cover22_sugarland.art.htm. Retrieved 2008-09-03.
- ^ "Sugarland To Headline Love on the Inside Tour". Reuters. 2008-06-30. http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS99659+30-Jun-2008+PRN20080630. Retrieved 2008-09-03.
- ^ Grammy.com. 51st Annual Grammy Awards Winners List. (See Category 38 and Category 41.) Retrieved February 9, 2009.
- ^ Academy of Country Music. 2009 Nominees. February 11, 2009. Retrieved February 12, 2009.
- ^ DeDekker, Jeff. Following the ACMs, part four. Leader-Post, April 5, 2009. Retrieved April 6, 2009.
- ^ McDonnell, Brandy (BAM's Blog). ACM Awards Continues. The Oklahoman, April 5, 2009. Retrieved April 6, 2009.
- ^ NashvilleGab.com. Sugarland is going international. February 10, 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2009.
- ^ Gerome, John. Sugarland leads with 5 CMT award nominations. Associated Press, May 19, 2009. Retrieved June 15, 2009.
- ^ CMT.com 2009 CMT Music Awards Winners. Retrieved June 17, 2009.
- ^ CMT.com. Sugarland and the B-52s perform "Love Shack". June 16, 2009. Retrieved June 17, 2009.
- ^ Public Braodcasting Service. Soundstage: Sugarland. Retrieved July 3, 2009.
- ^ Country On Demand.Sugarland readies first live DVD/CD set. June 16, 2009. Retrieved June 17, 2009.
- ^ Morran, Chris. Sugarland to release first holiday album. Oklahoma Magazine, August 31, 2009. Retrieved August 31, 2009.
- ^ USA Today. Sugarland founder files $1.5M lawsuit against band. August 8, 2008. Retrieved May 3, 2009.
- ^ a b c Harrison, Shane. Hall’s lawsuit not first filed against Sugarland. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, August 8, 2008. Retrieved May 6, 2009.
External links
![Love On The Inside [Deluxe Fan Edition]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61iIEmB8YcL._SL160_.jpg)
 08 Mercury Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.&link=http://www.youtube.com/v/npbiMJzNJII&fs=1&source=uds&autoplay=1&thumb=http://2.gvt0.com/vi/npbiMJzNJII/default.jpg&celebrity=Sugarland)
 07 Mercury Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.&link=http://www.youtube.com/v/zPG1n1B0Ydw&fs=1&source=uds&autoplay=1&thumb=http://0.gvt0.com/vi/zPG1n1B0Ydw/default.jpg&celebrity=Sugarland)
 05 Mercury Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.&link=http://www.youtube.com/v/Gp5foT32tKM&fs=1&source=uds&autoplay=1&thumb=http://3.gvt0.com/vi/Gp5foT32tKM/default.jpg&celebrity=Sugarland)
 08 Mercury Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.&link=http://www.youtube.com/v/BFi03NwbtVc&fs=1&source=uds&autoplay=1&thumb=http://3.gvt0.com/vi/BFi03NwbtVc/default.jpg&celebrity=Sugarland)
&videoType=YouTube&summary=Sugarlands new song, It Happens, off their new album, Love On The Inside w lyrics&link=http://www.youtube.com/v/Ph49YlxCqi8&fs=1&source=uds&autoplay=1&thumb=http://3.gvt0.com/vi/Ph49YlxCqi8/default.jpg&celebrity=Sugarland)
