How does someone like Jennifer Nettles, the lead singer of the country-pop group Sugarland, even begin to keep up her tour schedule? The woman many see as the natural successor to Reba McEntire not only emulates that legendary performer’s vocal prowess but also her positive influence on the community. Most recently, Nettles hosted the Attic Community Playground online auction that raised $50,000 to provide music education opportunities for children.
“I don’t take it lightly that people see and watch and are interested in what I do,” Nettles said. “Our fans trust us and we trust our fans not only artistically but to uphold a [standard].”
| Onstage |
| Sugarland with Little Big Town and Matt Nathanson |
| When: 6:30 p.m. Sunday |
| Where: Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia |
| Details: $41 to $76; 202-397-SEAT; ticketmaster.com |
That’s likely even more important now that the Grammy Award-winning duo, continuing to tour behind their “Incredible Machine” album, have gained even more attention in the past year. Nettles’ electric duet with Rihanna on the song “California King Bed” during last month’s Academy of Country Music awards arguably brought a new audience to Sugarland.
It’s not surprising that Nettles and her Sugarland partner Kristian Bush kick down the walls that some would like to see surround country music. The duo often talk about how they are fans of everything from Beyonce to Pearl Jam to Eminem. What’s surprising to them, though, is when so many of the artists they enjoy are fans of their music.
“One time Paul McCartney stopped us in a hallways [at an awards show] and said ‘I like your sound check,’ ” Bush recalled with a laugh. “We were like ‘Arg! You’re Paul McCartney!’ I think the thing that startles me the most is when people who are famous or movie stars or musicians stop and tell you they are fans. That blows my mind! I get really excited about it.”
Some of the biggest fans Sugarland has in the business are the members of Little Big Town. The members of Little Big Town, who often tour with Sugarland, said they were anxious to sign back on for this leg of Sugarland’s tour.
The members of Little Big Town, touring behind their latest album “The Reason Why,” and Sugarland have become good friends through the years, sharing their love of writing, music and, of course, family. The friendship has resulted in some particularly exciting moments onstage when the two bands cover such songs as “Life in a Northern Town,” made famous by the Dream Academy, and even Madonna’s classic “Like a Prayer.”
“They are just great people and friends,” said Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild of Sugarland. “We always love to tour with them.”
