Sugarland's Nettles expresses her sorrow about deadly state fair tragedy
Sunday, August 14, 2011 – Sugarland lead singe Jennifer Nettles released a statement on Sunday expressing her sadness about the weekend accident at the Indiana State Fair just prior to her band's performance that left five dead.
A gust of wind blew over the staging on Saturday night with the steel going into the crowd assembled near the front. Four people died soon thereafter with a fifth pronounced dead Sunday morning.
"I am so moved. Moved by the grief of those families who lost loved ones. Moved by the pain of those who were injured and the fear of their families. Moved by the great heroism as I watched so many brave Indianapolis fans actually run toward the stage to try and help lift and rescue those injured. Moved by the quickness and organization of the emergency workers who set up the triage and tended to the injured. There are no words to process a moment of this magnitude and gravity. There are only prayers for peace in the hearts of the bereft, and prayers of thanksgiving for those who were spared or safe. A piece of our heart is left in that grandstand. May God provide peace and healing to the people of Indianapolis," Nettles wrote on the duo's web site.
Sugarland canceled its Sunday night concert at the Iowa State Fair. The band's next gig is slated for Aug. 18 in Albuquerque, N.M. at the Hard Rock Casino
More news for Sugarland
CD reviews for Sugarland
The Incredible Machine
"The Incredible Machine" is a rather unfortunate title for Sugarland's latest full-length. Listening to Find The Beat Again, for example, makes it sound as though vocalist Jennifer Nettles wants to be Deborah Harry-fronting-Katrina & the Waves rather than, say, a latter-day Loretta Lynn. With its handclap rhythm and shouted "Hey, Hey" on the chorus, this track - along with many others - finds Sugarland firmly entrenched in a predictable pop music device. »»» |
Gold and Green
Jennifer Nettles has one of the most distinctive voices in today's country music, which makes every thing she sings oh so easy on the ears. And with this 10-song holiday CD, Nettles never fails to please, vocally. So when one of these recordings is little more than Nettles singing, and sparse banjos backing (along with Kristian Bush's complimentary vocal), as happens with O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, it's a thing of simple musical beauty. Bush also takes a few lead vocals, but Nettles »»» |
Live on the Inside
Often it isn't the material chosen or the sound quality that makes a live album good or poor, but the act being captured. To that end Sugarland isn't a good band at all to capture on an audio CD. The group's live shows are renowned, and anyone who has been to one and wants a reminder of that experience will love CD/DVD.
Yet those who just want to hear good music performed by Sugarland will be disappointed. On nearly every song, Jennifer Nettles asks for audience participation and readily gets it. »»» |
Editorial: Walking the talk –
When names like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Waylon and the Hag are invoked, you're talking hard core country. These are the touchstones of country , the guys who made country music what it was and still is (or maybe can be). When these folks would sing about being down-and-out and the rough-and-tumble, they knew of what they were singing about. Fast forward a few years to the country singers of today. »»»
Concert Review: Steve Earle doesn't rest (on laurels) –
If you didn't realize Steve Earle had a new disc out, "The Low Highway," it would have been no problem realizing that quite and quickly.
That was because Earle started the two-hour show with three straight tracks from "The Low Highway," and he would not be done for the night. The title track of was a midtempo effort... »»»
Concert Review: The Howlin' Brothers leave the radar behind –
The Howlin' Brothers - this trio, in reality, contains no brothers - are about eight years into their career and on their fifth album. To say they've been under the radar screen may be an understatement. You couldn't even say they've been flying under that screen because they have stuck very close to their Nashville environs.... »»»
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