The Hoedown

“Sugarland Makes Sweet Music in Battle Creek”

Heres the hoedown; the current 2007 CMT on Tour is a show not to be missed. I got to attend it when it rolled into town to Battle Creek,Michigan.  Even before the show started i got the wonderful opportunity to meet one of the shows  openers, new country sensations, Little Big Town. Karen, Kimberly, Jimi and Phillip were so nice and really go out of there way to make you feel special. My time with them to chat and take a picture was very brief, but for those few minutes i felt like i was on cloud nine.  After that i returned to my seat for the remainder of Jake Owen’s set and got ready for LBT. And i was once again (this is the fourth time i have seen LBT live) treated to a wonderful set from them. There harmonies are brilliant and it sounds like they have been singing together forever. Musically and vocally they are one of the best new groups to  come out of Nashville in a long time. It was great to hear old favorites like “Looking for a Reason”, “Boondocks”, “Little More You” and they also offered a few new songs from there current “A Place to Land” cd including this bloggers favorite, the fun, upbeat  and sure to brighten anyone’s day anthem, “Novocaine”. They also included a song from the “CMT Crossroads” they did with Fleetwood Mac’s Lindsey Buckingham,  there version of “Go Your Own Way”, which was a treat to see them rocking out to a song that i am sure brings back great memories for them.  After LBT, this blogger was jumping out of her seat in anticipation for headliners, current CMA Duo of the year winners, Sugarland. I have not seen them since May when they were touring with Kenny Chesney and i knew they were going to put on an awesome show. And they did. I don’t know where to start, because everything about Sugarland’s live show was fantastic. So i will just begin with the technical aspect, where they really pulled out the stops. Lights, video screens going at all times, confetti cannons. It was so  much that i think that i would have to go again just to take everything in. There is also Sugarland’s energy and enthusiasm for performing and an obvious joy to what they get to do for a living. Sugarland’s lead vocalist, Jennifer Nettles jumped, danced  and was everywhere on the stage, she also made use of the interludes between songs to talk to the audience and ask them questions like “How y’all doing” with her deep Southern, twangy, Georgia accent. Nettles also has one of the best voices in country music and she also showed her musical versatility in playing a few instruments(guitar, tambourine and harmonica).  Nettles onstage partner in crime, Kristian Bush is the other reason this duo is so amazing. With his mandolin and guitar, he bounces around stage and occasional takes the opportunity to do  what the duo calls “Showga” onstage.Bush besides being a talented musician also has an amazing voice that some may not know about. I enjoyed songs like “Just might make me believe”, “These are the Days” and Who Says you Can’t go home” just for the simple fact that i got to  hear him sing. Hearing these offerings, i hope there are more Nettles/Bush duets in the future. I also enjoyed hearing there Beyonce cover of “Irreplaceable”. After hearing both versions of the song, i think this bluegrass cover is better than the original. It was great to hear favorites like “Settlin”, “Babygirl” , “Everyday America” and a new song from there forthcoming third cd called “Take me As I am”.  But despite all the running around, jumping up and down and excitement the duo brought to the stage, it was a special moment when they came out for an encore and did the brilliant Nettles penned song, “Stay”. With Nettles amazing, soaring vocals and pure emotion she brings to the song and Bush’s brilliant playing; it truly brought down the house and reminded everyone(as if they did not already know that) these two talented people really do have the ability to entertain and sing! (A rare combination in todays pop manufactured music industry. ) So i left Battle Creek with a smile on my face and a song in my head. Being thrilled that i just witnessed such a great event and counting the days until i could see them perform again, thats the thing about Sugarland they can just get better from here on out. This blogger definitely “Enjoyed the Ride”.

Add comment December 9, 2007