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Sugarland Respond to Concert Cancellation Backlash

Jennifer Nettles is on vocal rest -- doctors orders. Thus, Sugarland has been forced to cancel their performances at a few shows on both the Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban summer tours, much to the dismay of the superstar duo and their ticket-holding fans.

"It's so sad when someone that I love to hear talk can't talk!" Sugarland's Kristian Bush tells The Boot. "It's a horrible thing -- it's like playing that game with my kids where I go, 'OK, no talking for ten minutes.' And the moment you tell them that, that's the one thing they want to do!"

"Your voice is like a muscle, so if you strain it, you have to heal it or else you will break it. And I don't want to break it, because I want to come back out there and see you!" Jennifer explains to fans in a video message. "I thought about trying to make up a really good story, that I was out binging on opium and absinthe in Paris. [laughs] But that's not my sense of humor."

It seems some of Sugarland's fans don't have much of a sense of humor when it comes to the performance cancellations. The message boards on various blog sites are filled with angry comments from disappointed concertgoers. Sugarland's tourmate Kenny Chesney is a little miffed by the backlash. "It was really sad to see the way some people reacted to Jennifer needing to cancel her appearance in San Francisco last weekend," he says. "We should all be concerned about her long-term vocal health more than any single show that she may not be able to do ... I know she'll be back before the summer and can't wait to have her back out there. But it's about doing the right thing, and we should all be supporting her in that."

Sugarland will release a live CD/DVD set, 'Live on the Inside,' sold exclusively at Walmart starting August 4. The Boot also spoke with Kristian about the new project and its corresponding TV special. We'll have more of that part of our exclusive interview with him next week.

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GIGI

I CANT BELIEVE THAT COUNTRY FANS ARE ANGRY OF A FEW CANCELLED SHOWS I RATHER HAVE A FEW CANCEL SHOWS THEN NOT SEEING SUGARLAND PERFORM AND HAVING THE GROUPD MAKE MORE HITS.

I DIDNT REALIZE THAT FANS OF COUNTRY MUSIC WOULD BE THAT WAY. AND I WANT TO SAY THAT YOU ARE DISRESPCTING SUGARLAND.

July 30 2009 at 2:03 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
cobratz

I can not believe how small and bitter people are. I do agree that if you people complaining called in sick at work, you could care less what your boss thought or if you put other people out because they will have to do your job now but you complain about one concert you will miss because the artist is haveing a true bono-fide health issue and they can not do a concert due to that REAL issue. I am sure alot of people who do call in sick are NOT sick, just wanted the day off of the "I got a headache" excuse. Let Jennifer be, she has a legitimate excuse. She will be back as long as she heals and takes care of her self. She does not need the back lash from you ignorant people. SHe WORKS for her fans and appreciates each one of them. SHe gives her 110% when she is on stage. Give her a break!!!!!!!!

July 29 2009 at 1:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Yreca

It's not surprising she has problems with her vocal cords; I have always noticed she sings hard with her throat, doesn't utilize her diaphragm to sing properly. Definitely needs a specialized singing coach to teach her not to thrash her vocal cords like that.

July 29 2009 at 11:46 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bruce

I had tickets to a Big E performance in West Springfield that was cancelled last october for the same reason. It took 3 months to get a refund. I would have thought that after the episode of cancellations last year she would hire a vocal coach who would teach her how to take care of her voice. I have tickets to the show at gillette stadium foxboro ma. on the 15th of august and if they cancel again that will be the last time I buy tickets to a sugarland show. Get well and learn how to take care of your voice please.......!

July 28 2009 at 10:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
sbrown4979

I just want to say that I can understand people can get sick but Sugarland is now canceling more concerts at the last minute then any group or single singer that I can remember. The canceled shows started a few months ago with Keith Urban in PA and CT etc. At least the CT fans got name act replacements but the State College PA fans got a college area band that was not worth a $5 admission to a local bar much less a $85+ per ticket price that my husband and I paid. We saw a fantastic show with Keith Urban the year before and no offense to Keith but he was not the headliner at this concert so the show was not a worth the money. FYI... I did some research on Sugarland and found they have a history of canceled concerts at the last minute so I am just saying I will not spend my hard earned money in the future by buying tickets to their concerts. And by the way I do feel blessed that my husband and I have jobs that we allow ourselves a once a year luxury by going to a concert the rest of the year we donate money to help our citizens who are not as fortunate even though my pay has been cut and wages are stagnate and no overtime.

July 26 2009 at 2:52 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
garym444

If you purchased a ticket to see Kenny Chesney and Sugarland and if they don't show up you should be told ahead of time and offered a refund. The greedy concert promoters don't want to refund anyone.

July 25 2009 at 4:45 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jpdesert

Yeah, I just happened to find out Sugarland had canceled
tomorrow night here in PHX. Next time I'll get tickets with Sugarland as the headliners then could get a refund. Feel
better Jennifer!

July 24 2009 at 10:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Melanie

I think the fans whining and crying are a bunch of jerks who don't deserve the honor of seeing Sugarland live. Give the poor girl a break. Don't listen to these narrowminded ahole's telling you to SUCK IT UP.
Love ya'll!!!

July 24 2009 at 1:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
marynascarfan14

I can't believe people are mad at Jennifer for something that is out of her control! I am a Sugarland fan and I didn't have tickets to any of the concerts, but if I did I would be more concerned about her health then wether I can see her in concert!! What is this world comming to when people get PO'd fopr something that is out of her control. Come on people, get with it and stop being so selfish!

July 24 2009 at 1:30 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Me

I saw Sugarland in 2007. They did a great concert. But the audience was kind of small for what, I guess, they expected and they sure let us know it. After the show, a handful of us waited outside the back of the theater for autographs. We waited for about an hour, before anyone in the band came out. Up to that time, their tour manager came out several times and never spoke to anyone. When Jennifer and Kristian finally came out of the theater, they immediately jumped on the bus. When we asked the tour manager if they were going to sign autographs, she said they were in a hurry to get to the next location. We waited a while longer to see if they were going to leave. They sat on the bus for over another hour, peeking out the window at the few (5 or 6) of us who remained, until we finally left. After their arrogance, I won't ever buy another Sugarland album. They do a good show, but their fans are what made them. I could see them not wanting to sign 500 autographs. But 5 or 6 would not have taken too much out of their day . . . or "hanging out on the bus" time.

July 24 2009 at 1:26 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply