Sugarland: Why it Needs Kristian Bush

Sugarland performs at the VAULT Concert Stage at LP Field in Downtown Nashville Saturday, June 13 during the 2009 CMA Music Festival. Photographer: John Russell / CMA.

Aug. 3, 2009 — Earlier this year, a reporter with The Minneapolis Star-Tribune asked Jennifer Nettles why, since she sang all the lead vocals, she needs Kristian Bush as a partner in Sugarland.

The question, she said, is "obviously hurtful" to Kristian, and yet it’s quietly lingered for the duo for some time. It’s not like they’re the only duo that’s had that issue.

• Fans freqently commented during the 1980s about how Wynonna Judd took all the lead vocals for the Judds while Mama Naomi sashayed about her and added harmonies. Naomi did write several of their later hits — "Love Can Build A Bridge" and "Change Of Heart" — and she provided plenty of guidance as Wynonna began her career at the not-yet-worldly age of 18.

• Brooks & Dunn remain the most-awarded duo in country music history even though Ronnie Dunn is the lead vocalist on the vast majority of their hits. Years ago at the Country Radio Seminar, an emcee used tongue depressers to illustrate a Brooks & Dunn show: One was stationary while the other depresser bobbed around it. It was a hilariously perfect demonstration of how Kix Brooks’ energy (in addition to his songwriting abilities) is an important component in the duo’s success.

• The Bellamy Brothers were asked years ago why they remained a duo when David Bellamy wrote most of their hits on his own and, with few exceptions, was the voice of the pair. Howard, he explained, sang harmony with him in a way that no one else could. End of discussion.

For Sugarland, Jennifer is clearly the primary voice. And, given that her self-penned "Stay" earned multiple Song of the Year awards, she’s likewise quite capable on her own as a songwriter.

But the fact is that nearly every other hit she’s written with Sugarland had input from Kristian, who brings his own Kix-like energy level to their concerts. In addition, there’s an extra dimension of knowledge that Kristian contributes behind the scenes — that’s the viewpoint of Bobby Pinson, who’s co-written four No. 1 hits with the two singers, including "All I Want To Do" and "It Happens."

"Kristian is ... kind of the label-head president of their thing," Bobby says. "This is all [a] slippery slope, but the way I see it, he’s just got such a great vision and he’s extremely confident in what he does. To the public eye, it may just seem like the guy runnin’ around with a mandolin, and he doesn’t sing all of the harmonies — but he sings harmonies — but he’s present to win for all of it. He [helps create] all of it. And the way he looks at it, he’s more the conductor of it. I’m not speakin’ for him, just the way I see it is he kind of conducts from a quieter spot and lets her be Super Jen, you know?"

Super Jen and quietly confident Kristian show off their onstage creation with their first network television special, "Sugarland: Live On The Inside," Monday night on ABC.

A CD/DVD version goes on sale Tuesday exclusively at Wal-mart. Click here to pre-order your copy!