Sugarland’s Kristian Bush recalls his reaction when fans first started to sing along to their songs in concert.
“I’d seek those people out and give them a guitar pick,” he says with a laugh. “Now I don’t have near enough picks.”
That’s what happens when the world falls in love with your music. It’s already been a year of extraordinary firsts for Sugarland, the chart-topping singer-songwriter duo of Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush. For starters, their Mercury Nashville debut, Twice the Speed of Life, was certified Double Platinum. In addition, they received the award for Breakthrough Favorite New Artist at the American Music Awards (their competition included artists from all genres of music.) Plus, radio and fans alike have embraced all of their singles: “Baby Girl,” “Something More,” “Just Might (Make Me Believe)” and “Down in Mississippi (Up To No Good).”
As the accolades keep coming, Jennifer and Kristian are hard at work on what their fans want most: The sophomore Sugarland CD, due out this fall.
It’s a major understatement to say that Sugarland has come a long way fast. A mere year ago they were still a relatively unknown newbie act when they received a standing ovation after their performance of their debut single, “Baby Girl,” at the Academy of Country Music Awards.
Fast forward to this year’s Academy of Country Music Awards, Sugarland was back in a big way and this time there was no “unknown” about it. Piloted by Jennifer’s powerhouse, country-soul vocals and Kristian’s passionate harmonies and playing, the entertainers were nominated for a whopping five awards. Nettles upped that impressive tally to a total of six with her nomination in the Vocal Event of the Year category for “Who Says You Can’t Go Home,” her #1 duet with Bon Jovi.
Before the night was out, Sugarland took home the trophy for Top New Duo/ Vocal Group. “It feels like such a welcome and hopefully an open invitation to this community,” says Jennifer.
A lot has happened since January, when original third member Kristen Hall left the group to concentrate on her songwriting. Nettles and Bush kicked off the New Year in style with an appearance on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, they were invited back for their second appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and also performed on the CMT Music Awards.
In a major career coup, Sugarland landed a highly-prized Best New Artist nomination at this year’s Grammy Awards, a category that includes all genres of popular music. They also performed their hit “Something More” at the Grammy’s. Backstage, Jennifer and Kristian rubbed elbows with living icon Paul McCartney, who complimented them on their sound check.
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Kristian Bush Jennifer Nettles
