Sugarland, an American country music duo, is composed of singer–songwriters Jennifer Nettles (lead vocals) and Kristian Bush (background vocals, lead vocals, mandolin, acoustic guitar, and harmonica), heir to Bush Beans. Sugarland was founded in 2002 by Kristen Hall with Bush and ultimately became a trio after hiring Jennifer Nettles as lead singer.
Kristen Hall Controversy:
After three years, Hall left the group in December of 2005. Much of the controversy was rumored to be about her sexual orientation; she has since come out of the closet as a lesbian. Hall sued Sugarland in 2008, and they eventually settled out-of-court in 2010. Although facing much backlash from Nashville, she's attempting to reintegrate herself back into the country music scene, and is liked in her local circles.
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 No. 1 singles (in the U.S.), "Want To" and "Settlin'", and won the duo a Grammy for "Stay". Jennifer Nettles also teamed up with Bon Jovi in 2006 to sing "Who Says You Can't Go Home?".
Meanwhile, in 2008 they released their third album, titled Love on the Inside. This album produced three more No. 1 singles with "All I Want to Do", "Already Gone"and "It Happens". Their fourth album, The Incredible Machine was released on October 19, 2010 in both a standard and deluxe edition. "Keep You" also won duo of the year in 2010. Upon The Incredible Machine being certified platinum, Sugarland has sold in excess of 14 million records. Nettles and Bush also write all of the band's songs.
Background information on Jennifer Nettles, undeniably one of the best voices in all of music and the spirit behind Sugarland:
Birth name: Jennifer Odessa Nettles | Born September 12, 1974 (age 38) | Origin: Douglas, Georgia, USA | Genres: Country | Occupations: Musician, singer-songwriter | Instruments: Vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion, harmonica, piano | Years active:1996–present | Labels: Mercury Nashville | Associated acts: Sugarland, Bon Jovi, Lionel Richie | Website: JenniferNettles.com