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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, April 25, 2008

Sugarland rides a hit wave to the Islands

By Kawehi Haug
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Country music duo Sugarland — Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush — performs Thursday at the Blaisdell Concert Hall and May 3 at the Hilton Waikoloa on the Big Island.

Gannett News Service

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Sugarland, one of country music's most popular duos, is scheduled to play the Blaisdell Concert Hall Thursday to a sold-out crowd. The Atlanta-based group has been on the top of the country music charts since its first album, "Twice the Speed of Life" in October 2004.

Sugarland originally formed as a trio, and when one-third of the group — singer/songwriter Kristen Hall — left to pursue a more behind-the-scenes career as a songwriter, the remaining members, Kristian Bush and Jennifer Nettles, decided not to replace Hall and began performing and recording as a duo.

The group, with Hall on board, was nominated in 2006 for a best-new-group Grammy and has landed numerous Country Music Television awards, the most recent on April 14 for best music video by a duo for the hit "Stay."

Nettles also garnered a bit of crossover rock 'n' roll fame for her 2006 duet with Jon Bon Jovi, "Who Says You Can't Go Home."

The group's recent album, "Enjoy The Ride," reached No. 4 on the U.S. Top 200 chart.

Sugarland performs at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. If you missed your chance for tickets, you can head for the Big Island to see them: The duo performs May 3 at the Hilton Waikoloa on the Big Island; doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets: $45; www.kingmichelconcerts.com.

Reach Kawehi Haug at khaug@honoluluadvertiser.com.