This is where you buy someone a present that you like so much, you end up keeping it yourself! I had every intention of giving my dad Sugarland’s new Christmas CD, “Gold & Green.” But after hearing some of the tracks by duo Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush, I decided to “pregift.”
For those not familiar with Sugarland, several years ago, the duo used to be a trio, then one them got all honked off about songwriter credits and quit. Today the twosome are busy making merry without her, winning Duo of the Year out from under longtime winners Brooks and Dunn at the Country Music Association Awards last month. Sugarland is here to “Stay,” which happens to be the name of the song that really sealed their fate as singer/songwriters.
Georgia native Nettles has a big, raspy voice that can be ear splitting, but she and guitarist Bush are so likeable and sincere, it’s easy to overlook when the neighbors dogs start barking.
After huge performances this past week on “Oprah” and the Grammy Nomination Concert, Nettles was asked what she was doing when she was nearly 20 years old (the age of Taylor Swift, who scored eight Grammy nominations).
“I was playing clubs and learning how to drink Jim Beam and coke!” she joked ... which explains the voice!
Sugarland’s “Gold & Green” is a mix of secular and inspirational classics, along with a few tunes written by the group. In a recent interview with Katie Cook of “CMT Insider,” Nettles said they recorded the album in July, but decorated the studio with Christmas lights and decorations, to get in the mood. While Bush tells GACTV he could have Christmas lights up all year long, Nettles says “once a year is enough!”
A must hear on “Gold & Green” is their spin on “Silent Night,” part of it performed in Spanish. Bush says it was difficult for him “not to fall madly in love with her” due to Nettle’s accent.
Now, what to get Dad ...
Contact Nancy Wilson, a morning-radio personality at WHKO-FM (K99.1), by e-mail through the Web site at k99online.com.
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