Sugarland stage collapse claims seventh victim
Tuesday, August 23, 2011 – A seventh person died Monday in the wake of the collapse of Sugarland's stage at the Indiana State Fair earlier this month, according to ABC news.
Megan Toothman, 24, of Cincinnati, died Monday afternoon after she was removed from life support to enable her organs to be donated. She had brain swelling following the Aug. 13 stage collapse. The accident resulted after a strong gust of wind knocked over the stage into the crowd.
"Late last night it became apparent that our Meagan was no longer with us," the family wrote in an online journal. "The decision was made to allow to her to be at peace."
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: McGraw has plenty of fight left –
Despite the fact that Tim McGraw is five years sober, fit as a triathlete and touring behind a number one album, he is still in an unenviable position. As he approaches 50, McGraw has to stay a step ahead of the current crop of young country hunks with TV shows, cross format radio airplay and wider appeal. But as he proved at First Niagara's... »»»
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... »»»
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Wilderness
"Wilderness" is another twisted menagerie of The Handsome Family songs. Once again, husband Brett Sparks sings their songs, sometimes in a bellowing gravedigger voice, after adding music to wife Rennie's lyrics. This time out, each and every tune is named after an animal, insect or other such nature creature. However, Rennie studies animals the way Flannery O'Connor wrote about humans, which is with the weirdness and character flaws in primary focus. »»» |
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