Product Code Database
Sugarland is an American country music duo formed in Douglas, Georgia. The duo consists of singer-songwriters Jennifer Nettles (lead vocals) and Kristian Bush (vocals, guitar, mandolin). They were founded in 2002, when Kristen Hall (vocals, guitar) was also a member. All three had experience in folk rock; Nettles had recorded in the groups Soul Miner's Daughter and Jennifer Nettles Band, Bush had recorded two albums as one-half of the duo Billy Pilgrim, and Hall had recorded two solo albums. After Hall left in 2006, Nettles and Bush continued as a duo.
Signed to Mercury Nashville Records in 2004, Sugarland recorded four studio albums, one Christmas album, and one live album for that label between then and 2010. These albums accounted for 15n singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including the number-one singles "Want To", "Settlin'", "All I Want to Do", "Already Gone", and "It Happens". Nettles was also a featured vocalist on rock band Bon Jovi's late 2005-early 2006 single "Who Says You Can't Go Home", which also topped the country music charts. Their four studio albums for this label — Twice the Speed of Life, Enjoy the Ride, Love on the Inside, and The Incredible Machine — are all certified platinum or higher by the Recording Industry Association of America. The duo went on hiatus in 2012, during which time both Nettles and Bush recorded solo albums. They reunited officially in 2017 for Bigger, a studio album issued on Big Machine Records.
Sugarland's debut album, Twice the Speed of Life, was released October 26, 2004. Serving as its lead-off single was the song "Baby Girl," which peaked at number two 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 numbers two, seven, and 17, respectively. The album received multiplatinum certification for sales of three million copies, becoming their first album to achieve that status. In late 2005, the trio 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 number-one hit on the country charts. They toured the U.S. and Canada performing with Brad Paisley in 2005 and with Kenny Chesney on his Flip Flop Summer Tour in 2006–2007.
Sugarland was nominated for the Best New Artist Grammy and performed the song "Something More" at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards on February 8, 2006. They 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. On November 7, 2006, the duo released their second album Enjoy the Ride. It sold 211,000 during its first week and opened at number four on the US Top 200 and number two on the Top Country Albums charts. It went on to become their second album to achieve multiplatinum status for selling three million copies. 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-10 hits. A limited-edition version of the CD sold exclusively at Wal-Mart was released in late 2007, and included a five-song Christmas EP, which 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."
In 2007, Sugarland performed at multiple award ceremonies, including the 2007 CMT Music Awards and the 2007 ACM awards. 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," although other critics also noted that the crowd enjoyed the performance.
They appeared on 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.Country Music Association. Past Award Winners. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
Sugarland appeared on a Sesame Street episode that first aired during season 38 on September 14, 2007. During the segment, they performed "Songs" with Elmo. On November 26, 2007, they made a guest appearance in the "Car" episode of "Yo Gabba Gabba!."
The lead-off single was "All I Want to Do" (completely different from the Sheryl Crow song of the same title), which debuted at number 27 on the country charts, the highest debut for the duo. In August 2008, the song became their third number-one single. Their next single, "Already Gone", released on September 8, 2008, became their fourth number one in January 2009. Sugarland started their second headlining tour, Love on the Inside, on September 13, 2008, in Asheville, North Carolina. They were supported by Ashton Shepherd and Kellie Pickler, and the tour concluded after 25 performances on November 16, 2008, in Bossier City, Louisiana.
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.Grammy.com. 51st Annual Grammy Awards Winners List. (See Category 38 and Category 41.) Retrieved February 9, 2009.
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."Academy of Country Music. 2009 Nominees. February 11, 2009. Retrieved February 12, 2009. During the broadcast of the April 5, 2009 awards show, Sugarland was presented with the Vocal Duo of the Year award, ending Brooks and Dunn's nine-year run.DeDekker, Jeff. Following the ACMs, part four. Leader-Post, April 5, 2009. Retrieved April 6, 2009. Nettles also received a Milestone award, presented to her by Reba McEntire.McDonnell, Brandy (BAM's Blog). ACM Awards Continues. The Oklahoman, April 5, 2009. Retrieved April 6, 2009.
In March 2009, Sugarland toured in Europe, starting with performances at military stations in Italy. They were scheduled to perform in France, the Netherlands, Germany, England, Scotland, and Ireland. Later in 2009, they joined Keith Urban in select cities as part of his Escape Together World Tour and joined Kenny Chesney on his Sun City Carnival Tour.NashvilleGab.com. Sugarland is going international. February 10, 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2009. The third single from Love on the Inside, and 11th single overall, "It Happens", released in February 2009, became their fifth number one in May 2009. The album's fourth single, "Joey", is a warning about drunk driving, encouraging those sober to "take the keys", and thematically is heavily influenced by Concrete Blonde's 1990 single of the same name. It peaked at number 17 on the US country charts.
On May 19, 2009, Sugarland received five CMT Award nominations, including a nomination for Video of the Year.Gerome, John. Sugarland leads with 5 CMT award nominations . Associated Press, May 19, 2009. Retrieved June 15, 2009. They were presented the award for Video Duo of the Year at the award show that broadcast on June 16, 2009. 2009 CMT Music Awards Winners. Cmt.com, Retrieved June 17, 2009. During the awards show, they also performed "Love Shack" with a surprise appearance by the B-52s. Sugarland and the B-52s perform "Love Shack". Cmt.com, June 16, 2009. Retrieved June 17, 2009.
On July 2, 2009, a performance that Sugarland recorded for Soundstage debuted on many PBS channels.Public Broadcasting Service. Soundstage: Sugarland. Retrieved July 3, 2009.
Sugarland's first live DVD/CD, Live on the Inside, was released exclusively through Walmart stores on August 4, 2009.Country On Demand. Sugarland readies first live DVD/CD set. June 16, 2009. Retrieved June 17, 2009.
Sugarland released their first holiday album, Gold and Green, on October 13, 2009. The album features five original songs and five traditional carols.Morran, Chris. Sugarland to release first holiday album. Oklahoma Magazine, August 31, 2009. Retrieved August 31, 2009.
Country Universe, a country-music blog website, published a list of the top-selling country albums of 2009. Sugarland had four albums on the list with Love on the Inside (10), Gold and Green (149), Live on the Inside (168), and Enjoy the Ride (180).Country Universe. Top Selling Country Albums of 2009. January 4, 2010. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
On February 1, 2010, Sugarland appeared with many other artists in the making of "We Are the World: 25 for Haiti" to benefit the Haiti earthquake-relief efforts and the rebuilding of Haiti.We Are the World Foundation. We Are The Word Foundation: The Song. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
On September 10, 2010, Sugarland appeared on The Today ShowAOL Music. Sugarland Rock the 'Today' Show. September 10, 2010. Retrieved October 25, 2010. and performed "Stuck Like Glue" – the first single from their album The Incredible Machine, which was released on October 19, 2010, in the U.S., Canada, and Australia.Willman, Cris. Music Review: The Incredible Machine. Entertainment Weekly, October 13, 2010. Retrieved October 25, 2010. The album was released in the United Kingdom on February 7, 2011. Influences on the record included English Electronic music group OMD and progressive rock musician Peter Gabriel.
The American Express concert series Unstaged pairs Sugarland with director Kenny Ortega for a performance from New York City streamed live on October 18, 2010.Mansfield, Brian. Sugarland, Kenny Ortega team up for live online concert. USA Today, October 12, 2010. Retrieved October 13, 2010.
On November 29, 2010, Jennifer Nettles hosted the first CMA Country Christmas, during which Sugarland also performed two holiday songs from their Christmas CD, Gold and Green.Country Music Association. Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles hosts CMA Country Christmas. PRNewsWire, October 21, 2010. Retrieved December 21, 2010.
On December 5, 2010, Sugarland performed at "The VH1 Divas Salute The Troops" show, hosted by Kathy Griffin, which aired on VH1. Other performers included Katy Perry, Keri Hilson, Nicki Minaj, Paramore, and Grace Potter. Sugarland performed their country crossover single "Stuck Like Glue" after an introduction by supermodel Marisa Miller and Jennifer Nettles' brother, a member of the Air Force.Newsday.com. Katy Perry and VH1 Divas salute the troops. December 4, 2010. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
On January 11, Sugarland was announced to have the number-five selling country album of 2010 with The Incredible Machine and the number-three selling digital country track of 2010 with "Stuck Like Glue."Roughstock Billboard reveals Top-Selling Albums and Singles of 2010. January 11, 2011. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
Sugarland appeared on American Idol in March, again performing "Stuck Like Glue.
On April 3, 2011, Sugarland hosted and performed at the first annual ACM Fan Jam during the ACM awards show.The Boot Sugarland to Play First-Ever ACM Fan Jam During Awards. January 17, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2011. Sugarland was nominated for Vocal Duo of the Year and Video of the Year for "Stuck Like Glue", and won for Vocal Duo of the Year at the 46th annual Academy of Country Music Awards. Nettles performed alongside pop star Rihanna at the ceremony, performing "California King Bed". Rihanna to Perform with Sugarland at Academy of Country Music Awards. Rap-Up.com (2011-03-24). Retrieved on 2011-10-22. Oh No They Didn't! – Rihanna to Perform with Sugarland at Academy of Country Music Awards. Community.livejournal.com (2011-03-24). Retrieved on 2011-10-22.
"Tonight" is the second single released in the U.K. from The Incredible Machine, as well as the third country radio single, released April 11.
In April 2011, Sugarland began a radio station, launched by A.P.E. Radio. The station is programmed by Nettles and Bush and allows fans to hear experiences from both singers' lives and their current musical endeavors.
The duo appeared at the 2011 CMT Music Awards, winning for Duo Video of the Year, but losing to Taylor Swift's "Mine" for video of the year. They also performed their donation song "Stand Up".
The duo recorded the song "Run" with Matt Nathanson on his album Modern Love, but Nettles and Bush are credited individually on the track.
On Saturday, November 26, 2011, Jennifer Nettles married her boyfriend of two years, Justin Miller, in a sunset ceremony at Blackberry Farms in East Tennessee. Miller, a former model, was featured in the band's 2006 hit song, "Want To".
Sugarland took some time off at the beginning of 2012, to "chill and relax and sleep in our own beds and contemplate how we want to approach what's next."
Sugarland recorded a song for the 2012 movie, Act of Valor. The to the movie was released on February 21, 2012. The song is titled "Guide You Home". Kristian Bush confirmed in late January that Sugarland will be touring in "mid to late spring" and that they are "going to source our fans for our set list." On April 5, 2012, the duo commenced their fourth headlining tour: In Your Hands 2012. On June 18, Nettles was announced to be pregnant and due in November, two months after their summer tour concluded. Her son, Magnus Hamilton Miller, was born on December 6, 2012.
With Nettles on maternity leave, Bush made his solo debut in March 2013 at the inaugural Festival at the O2 Arena in London, England; his first song as a solo act, "Love or Money", debuted on iTunes in Europe the following week. He often took part in the Country Music Association's Songwriters Series, which has included various appearances across the United States, as well as time spent abroad with the CMA's first-ever international initiative showcasing Nashville songwriters and their work to foreign audiences in clubs and theaters.
In August 2013, Nettles released a solo single, "That Girl", for Mercury. It is the lead single to her solo album of the same name, released on January 14, 2014. Rick Rubin produced the album. Her second album, Playing with Fire, was released in 2016, and as Bush did in 2013, Nettles played the 2017 C2C: Country to Country Festival.
In 2014, Bush signed to producer Byron Gallimore's Streamsound Records as a solo artist. His debut solo single, "Trailer Hitch", was released to radio and retailers on July 28, 2014. His debut solo album, Southern Gravity, was released on April 7, 2015. He wrote 300 songs for the project, which he refers to as a "mainstream country record that is meant to be played on the radio." Nettles released two solo albums in 2016, Playing with Fire on May 13, and To Celebrate Christmas on October 28.
Sugarland released their EP There Goes the Neighborhood on August 9.
Former members
Timeline
|
|
