Jennifer Nettles is quite possibly one of the most under appreciated female vocalists in Country music. That might sound crazy at first considering her success, but it’s true. As part of Sugarland, Nettles was well loved and much respected. Between the duo’s five studio albums, Sugarland managed to nab six Country Music Association Awards, five Academy of Country Music Awards and two Grammy awards, among a handful of others. In 2012, Sugarland announced a hiatus and both members began working on solo projects. But despite her powerhouse vocals, Nettles’ three solo albums managed to fly under the radar of those same awards programs that once lauded Sugarland.
This bothers me. While we can all recognize the certain level of misery that comes with celebrity, don’t we all wish for our favorite people to get the recognition they deserve? She’s by no means struggling — insiders see Nettles’ talent. Which is why in the last few years she’s nabbed a duet with John Legend and done time in an Off-Broadway version of Mamma Mia!, while also making an official recording of “No Good Deed” from Wicked (if you can do Idina Menzel, you can do anything). She’s just not getting the love from the public that she necessarily deserves. No paps. No sold-out solo arena tours. No armloads of Grammys like Adele or Taylor Swift. Plus, I’d even argue that Nettle’s talent trumps the latter’s considerably. (Sorry not sorry, TSwizzle.)
Then again, maybe her under-the-radar solo status plays to fans’ advantage. Instead of jockeying for tickets to sold-out arena shows, they get to see her in such a lovely, intimate setting as the Taft Theatre. And in her current role, fans get politically charged one-off singles like September’s “King of The City.” The song tells the heartbreaking story of an immigrant on 9/11.
Nettles and her Sugarland counterpart, Kristian Bush, recently announced an end to their hiatus, so it looks like its back to trophy collecting and arena shaking for Nettles soon enough. New Sugarland music is expected at the end of December, with touring to follow in the new year.
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