Tune In, Turn On With Doug Deutsch
The musical career of country superstar duo Sugarland hasn’t been all sweet.
The Grammy-winning duo of vocalist Jennifer Nettles and guitarist-mandolinist Kristian Bush, who bring their Ride or Die Tour to Borgata Event Center in Atlantic City this Friday, Nov. 13, were set to perform at the Indiana State Fair in August 2011 when a severe thunderstorm caused the stage roof to collapse, killing seven people and injuring dozens more.
It was certainly the low point in an otherwise terrific career for the band, which formed as a trio in Atlanta in 2002. Original member Kristen Hall departed in 2006.
Sugarland released its debut album, “Twice the Speed of Life,” in 2004. Aided by the hit single “Baby Girl,” the album became a huge success, eventually achieving triple-platinum status. It also produced two additional Top 10 country singles, “Something More” and “Just Might (Make Me Believe).”
But shortly after the album’s success, Hall left Sugarland. In 2008, she sued her former bandmates over an alleged financial agreement following her departure. The lawsuit was settled out of court in 2010.
The Indiana State Fair tragedy also took a toll on Nettles and Bush. The duo went on hiatus in 2012, during which Nettles started a family and both musicians pursued solo projects.
In November 2017, much to the delight of their fans, Nettles and Bush reunited at the Country Music Association Awards, announcing plans for new music. They released their comeback single, “Still the Same,” that December, followed by the studio album “Bigger” in June 2018.
Sugarland’s Ride or Die Tour celebrates the 20th anniversary of the duo’s sophomore album, “Enjoy the Ride,” which helped propel them to country music superstardom.
“We saw ourselves as songwriters; it was very validating that (‘Enjoy The Ride’) did as well as it did and continued to launch us forward in our careers because that was a very transitional time for us,” Nettles told Billboard in a 2026 interview.
Bush also reflected on how much the music industry has changed over the past two decades.
“The world we walked into twenty years ago when we were doing ‘Enjoy The Ride,’ we walked into very small keyholes you had to fit these ideas through in order to get them heard,” he told Billboard.
Those attending Sugarland’s Borgata concert can expect to hear plenty of fan favorites, including “Already Gone,” “Want To,” “Settlin’,” “Just Might (Make Me Believe),” “Something more,” “It Happens,” “Baby Girl,” “Stay” and “Stuck Like Glue.”
Sugarland: Friday, Nov. 13, 8 p.m., Borgata Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City. Tickets and information: https://www.ticketmaster.com/sugarland-atlantic-city-new-jersey-11-13-2026/event/020064EFD0B24B3F.
Tune-Ups
WLFR Folk Fest this Thursday: Head out to Stockton University’s Campus Center Coffeehouse on Thursday, Nov. 12, from 3 to 8 p.m. for the college’s Folk Fest, presented by WLFR 91.7 FM. Performers include Ornamental, featuring members of rising rockers Te Vista, Dirthog Newton, Jason Brown and Brad Wilson. Vendors and crafts will also be featured. Admission is free.
First 2027 AC beach concert announced: Fall Out Boy will headline the ‘Twilight of the Punks’ tour stop on Atlantic City Beach on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2027, joined by The Offspring, Good Charlotte and The Story So Far. The artist presale begins Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 10 a.m., with general ticket sales beginning Thursday, Nov. 12, at 10 a.m. Fans can register for presale access and find additional information at twilightofthepunkstour.com.
Doug is the owner/operator of Doug Deutsch Publicity Services, which since 1995 has been servicing nationally touring acts, and working record release campaigns for clients. Doug can be reached at ShoreLocalDoug@gmail.com
