Sugarland

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 ar...

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.

"I had to pinch myself," Kristian says, recalling the pat on the back he received from Sir Paul.

"A Beatle," concurs Jennifer with an awed laugh. "It makes me stutter to even talk about it."

Sugarland has quickly made a name for itself as one of the rockingest country acts on the road, and this year they've joined forces with two of the biggest acts in popular music. Fans have been treated to a series of high-octane Sugarland appearances as they opened for Kenny Chesney on his record-shattering The Road and The Radio tour. As summer heats up, Sugarland hits the road with country super-duo Brooks & Dunn.

These high-profile support slots are giving audiences across the country the chance to witness performances firsthand by the fiery and dynamic duo. First there's Jennifer, the blond powerhouse who belted it out in Baptist church as a kid, then spent a decade ruling the Atlanta club circuit. Then there's the charismatic Kristian, the former alternative folk-rocker who grew up listening to college radio favorites The Replacements and R.E.M. Together, the two singular performers of Sugarland create an artistic partnership that is as unique as it is compelling.

And what's the biggest news of all for Jennifer and Kristian this year? Between the tours and the TV appearances and the awards shows, Sugarland has found the time to get back in the studio to begin recording their highly anticipated sophomore CD, expected to hit store shelves this fall. The multitalented, hands-on duo are co-writing the material, as well as co-producing the project with revered Nashville producer Byron Gallimore (Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Lee Ann Womack).

"You have to believe in what you're saying," Jennifer says about Sugarland's songwriting philosophy. "With this record I believe every word that I sing, every single one."

"It feels like the work of a lifetime," says Kristian.

Sugarland has been test-driving some of their new material out on the road. "The response has been so overwhelming that I'm just chomping at the bit to get this record out there and let people hear it," Jennifer says.

Living through one extraordinary career triumph after the next, Jennifer and Kristian remain sincerely grateful for all the highlights that have come their way. Chief among them is the personal friendship and professional collaboration they have forged in Sugarland.

"It feels like a gift, and I'm just thankful for it every day," says Kristian about his artistic partnership with Jennifer. "Who else can you sit across from in a rocking chair when you're 70 and say, ‘Hey, remember playing the Grammys? Do you remember when Paul McCartney came up and said, ‘Hey, I really dig your sound-check'?"