Life is sweet in Sugarland

The country-pop superstar duo has no trouble connecting with fans.

By JOHN BENSON

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

WHAT A YEAR IT’S BEEN FOR COUNTRY act Sugarland.

It was just 12 months ago that the duo — Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush — wasn’t sure what the future held. After longtime third member Kristen Hall left the group in early 2006, Nettles and Bush were on their own to write and record what would become the platinum-selling “Enjoy the Ride,” which turned out to be one of the bigger albums of 2007.

“Not many people have asked about that anymore,” said Bush, calling from Atlanta. “There are a lot of fans who don’t have any other concept other than us being a duo. I think the track record speaks for it, too. We’ve had No. 1 songs off this album. We never had this before.”

To date, singles “Want To” and “Enjoy The Ride” were No. 1 country hits with “Everyday America” going top 10. Meanwhile, Sugarland played a key role on Kenny Chesney’s successful “Flip Flop Summer Tour.” Bush has his theory on why this Atlanta-based act, which features a country-fun vibe with a pop-rock sensibility, has become so popular.

“It’s just dramatically humbling that that many people have caught on to what we’re doing,” said Bush, whose brother Brandon Bush plays in rock band Train. “There is something special when a listener and a fan connect emotionally. I think we really encourage that connection and enjoy it.”

Having a good time is how Nettles and Bush approach all aspects of the group’s craft. More importantly, the twosome pen the majority of its material with only minimal help from outside writers. This is an anomaly for a country band these days, but then again, Sugarland is far from your average Nashville act.

For proof, just take a peek at the band’s live show. After playing an unexpected cover of Beyonce’s hit single “Irreplaceable” all summer long, the duo recently performed the song with her at the American Music Awards. Sugarland has also added a few unexpected rock anthems to its current set list. Most notable is a cover of Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar on Me.”

“Yeah, if you’re playing in an arena, you have to get your 15-year-old boy on in some way,” Bush laughed. Other songs include U2’s “Where the Streets Have No Name” and The Dream Academy’s lone ’80s song “Life in a Northern Town.”

In many ways Sugarland is celebrating its first-ever headlining jaunt, “The Change for Change Tour,” which comes to Chevy Centre Friday and features openers Little Big Town and Jake Owen. Bush admits he views this tour as being something special.

“You know how you see old concert T-shirts with Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and the Grateful Dead, and you say, ‘All those people played together?’” said Bush. “That feeling you get when you see those shirts, that’s what it feels like with this show. If you’re asking people to spend their hard earned $40 or more — and we take it very seriously — we’re hoping they leave thinking was that Cirque du Soleil or a Kenny Chesney show?”

He quickly added, “Or both.”