Sugarland's Success Story Gets Sticky With Lawsuit
Kristen Hall, a founding member of Sugarland who left the band in early 2006, is suing Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush for $1.5 million, along with interest. That should just about kill the Sugar rush following the duo's current No. 1 ranking on the all-genre Billboard 200 for Love on the Inside. Hall's lawsuit contends that she had an agreement with the band to share in profits and losses after her departure, but that she has not seen any profits.
Hall filed the lawsuit on July 29 in U.S. District Court in Atlanta. It reads, in part, that Nettles and Bush "have acted in bad faith, have been stubbornly litigious and have caused [Hall] unnecessary trouble and expense," by not honoring the agreement and keeping Hall out of the revenue stream.
At the time of her departure, rumors circulated about the real reason she left, but the band simply posted this statement on its Web site: "Kristen has decided that she wants to stay home and write songs, and we support her in that decision." Hall wrote or co-wrote every song on the band's debut album, as well as "Sugarland," which appeared on their second album. It was also her idea to get a country band together in the first place, while she and the other members were working as singer-songwriters in Atlanta. The lawsuit also indicates that is was her re-worked version of "Baby Girl" that helped the band break through, since the previous two versions did not impress the label. And I bet this lawsuit's not going over well either.
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Vicki says:
Yanno I really miss Kristen Hall. She was a great background singer and writer and co writer. I loved Sugarlands first album 10 times better than the second. I bought the second with great expectancy, played it once..and put it back in the case. I’m waiting out reviews for the 3rd. I’ve heard mixed thus far.
Ash says:
I think this is pretty stupid actually. I love Sugarland, I have all three of their albums and I think the 3rd one is the best thus far. Why should she get money from them, she isn’t in the band anymore. It was her choice to leave and now that they are getting really big she wants money from them. It just doesn’t seem right to me.
tina says:
right or wrong.. in the end a DEAL IS A DEAL if they agreed to it just so they could be rid of her well its time to pay up..i love sugarland either way
John Kreuzer says:
It’s pretty sad actually. They were, and are, a great band whether they have 2 or 3 members. I wrote a blog about this a little while ago:
http://kreuzer33.wordpress.com/2008/08/08/sugarland-sued-by-former-bandmate/
Kelli says:
I agree with you, Ash. I have all of their albums and all are great. It was her decision to leave the band and so be it. Now, because Sugarland is so popular and famous, she wants her share.
Joe says:
Craig Shelburne: this is the Internet, circa 2008.
Aren’t you supposed to link to a pdf of that lawsuit?
You write as though you’ve been witness to it — what’s stopping you from either sharing it, or sharing your source?
Also: “rumors circulated about the real reason she left” is very vague.
Are you intentionally holding back, and offering us these crumbs, or is there a reason you CAN’T (versus won’t) share what information you’ve found?
Samantha says:
I agree with Ash and Tina. They did have a deal and should have had stuck to it. But than She should have had never left the band. With Sugarland now being so famous, she wants her share. How come she never filed a lawsuit earlier? She decides to do when Sugarland is at there high, which is right now.
Leah says:
Can we say greedy?
Darren says:
I think she has every right to sue, I think Sugarland was better when they were a 3some vs a duo right now, I often had to wonder if there was some friction between Hall and Nettles because of Halls Sexual Orentation. I dont care for sugarlands latest stuff, theit 1st 2 cds were their best when they were a 3some, now they are just yucky
David Nisbet, Scotland says:
All I wanna do-oo-oo-oo, do-oo-oo-oo is see these jokers gone from the Country scene.
smoke and no fire says:
Craig, odd that you would take a side. Are you sour as well?
Cole Edwards (JensBoyfriend) says:
All this is is a sore loser. Period. She quit the band- for whatever reason- which should have meant from that January 2006 day foward she shouldn’t receive a penny for any new music that Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush put out. Yes, she should get profit from anything off of the first album, Twice the Speed of Life, but she had no part in anything after that (with the mild exception of the song “Sugarland” of Enjoy the Ride…….however, this song was written way before she left, so don’t think she came back to write with them after she left…..and, yes, she should get money off of this song, too.). Now that Sugarland- the duo- has the #1 album in the country and are on their way to superstardom, she is regretting she ever left because she didn’t think Jennifer and Kristian could make it without her. Instead of being mad at herself for quitting, she’s just going to take it out on them by slinging their name through the mud right when everything is going perfect for them. :(
Sammy says:
Cole Edwards I totally agree with you
and their third album is the best=]
Sondra says:
I agree with Darren. They were much more likeable with Kristen Hall in the band. As far as sexual orientation goes, Nettles and Bush knew the deal when they joined up. It’s time country music fans moved away from the backwoods, redneck, close-minded, labels they’ve come to be associated with and just appreciate talent for the talent that it is. Beyond that, if there was an agreement made … honor it.
Hayley says:
Jenn and Kristian have my support. I smell a bit of jealousy and bitterness from Kristen. SHE left the band, so she should have nothing to do with it. Her songwriting career must be failing. She needs more money, I suppose.
Hayley says:
By the way, Ash, I definitely agree with you! They have so much more interaction and chesmistry as a duo.
Kathryn says:
To all of you who say that they were better or more likeable with Kristen in the band, please explain your reasoning. What makes her so special? What did she bring to the live show? All she did was stand behind her mike, play the guitar, and provide backing vocals.
Cathy says:
It was kind of strange how, for the first time ever, an openly gay artist was on the cusp of superstardom in the country music world and then…poof…she was gone. The explanation given for her sudden departure seemed about as fake as those “I’m stepping down as CEO to spend more time with my family” explanations you read from time to time in the business world. I don’t think any of us knows the real story here, so we’re in no position to judge who is right and who is wrong. I think a lot of stuff happened behind the scenes that was kept private from the public.
Leah says:
Cole Edwards….you couldn’t have said it better!!!!
And Kathryn, I agree with you too! She always stood there behind the mike not contributing much to the overall dynamic. Most of the time looking PO’d. Good riddens I say!
KEN says:
THE PEOPLE THAT SAY THEY WERE BETTER WITH HALL,DO NOT KNOW COUNTRY MUSIC.THE 1ST CD WAS GOOD,THE 2ND CD WAS INCREDIBLE
AND THE 3RD CD IS GOING TO BE THERE BEST.THE FACT THAT SHE LEFT AFTER THE 1ST CD TO GO SOLO WAS THE BEST THING THAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO NETTLES & BUSH,AND SENSE HER SOLO CAREER WENT NOWHERE,SHE THINKS SHE CAN COME BACK AND STEAL WHAT THE BAND WORKED SO HARD FOR.JENNIFER NETTLES IS SIMPLY
ONE OF THE BEST SINGERS & ENTERTAINERS WE HAVE IN MUSIC.
vallie says:
kristen always seemed uncomfortable in videos. rather than loose weight and get sexy, she quit. hope she gets nothing.
dlt says:
Do you SERIOUSLY believe that Kristen Hall–who was already a solo artist, she didn’t “go solo” after Sugarland–decided to found a band, went out and found people to be in it, wrote all the music, and then just as they were on the brink of a major breakthrough said, “You know, this isn’t that cool after all. I think I’ll just quit.”
No. Someone pointed out that if they expected to see any real success in the world of country music they needed to ditch the lesbian. She was forced/bought out of HER OWN BAND with that agreement, and now they’re trying to forget her and it.
Sarah says:
I think Kristen is jealous of all the success and she’s kicking herself for leaving the band! I think the only money she should get is from TTSOL and that’s it. Nothing more because Jenn and Kristian created the rest. They have my support 100%!
Emily - United Kingdom says:
The timing of all this makes me laugh, how convenient.
Terrible to see what greed & jealousy can do to people.
Jennifer & Kristian are better off without people like that.
Cole Edwards (JensBoyfriend) says:
Thanks Sammy and Leah!
This story is just making me so mad! :<
bkb says:
making you mad is the least of this. a deal is a deal and they need to get this together before more bad news comes out about this duo.
Shea says:
Uhhh jealous, much?? This seriously makes me so mad. I don’t think Kristen has any right to ANY money made after she quit the band excpet for anything TTSOL is still making because she was officially part of the band then. I mean c’mon. It’s been almost 3 years since she quit and she’s just speaking up about this now when they’re having all this success with Love On The Inside. She probably didn’t think that Sugarland would do that well when she quit, but they are and she wants back in.
OutlawSteph says:
Entertainment law is very complex, even to lawyers. The bottom line is that songwriters USUALLY have a right to collect on their intellectual property unless they have given away their rights. I’ve never heard of “arrangement rights”. So, there are gray areas here regarding an agreement with an ex-band member. Those issues will be worked out by the lawyers and the courts, if it gets that far.
Everyone blogging about this or posting comments should withhold their judgments about the musicians involved unless you really know what the hard legal issues are in this case. Don’t make anyone the “good guy” or “bad guy” based on premature or shallow and irrelevant judgments.
-Stephanie
KEN says:
DLT YOU ARE SO FAR OFF BASE ON THIS,IT MAKES ME LAUGH.I THINK SHE HATED THE TRAVEL AND WAS EXTREMELY JEALOUS OF ALL THE ATTENTION JENNIFER WAS GETTING AND WANTED TO SHOW PEOPLE WHO THE REAL STAR OF SUGARLAND WAS,AND IT DIDN’T WORK OUT FOR HER.THE FACT THAT SHE QUIT THE BAND AND FAILED IS THE REASON SHE IS BRINGING THIS LAWSUIT AGAINST THEM.SHE IS SO JEALOUS OF ALL THERE SUCCESS!!!!!
Eric says:
She decided to leave the band… So why give her any profits? I mean, it’s not like she is actually writing songs for them. So why should she get the profit? She’s probably jealous that they are getting bigger and bigger and she wants to have all the success and money they are having!!
suz says:
I think that once success occurs, the act’s well meaning bean counters look for ways to cut out the former deals and agreements. What difference is it going to make to Kristian and Jennifer? C’mon. Kristen germinated the dream and put the thing together and the first release’s CD is awesome with the story-like songs. Something that is not as prevalent anymore in Sugarland. Why? So they can play to larger crowds and appeal to the masses. But what endeared us all to Sugarland was the mini stories told in the first album. The intimacy, the relatability. Gone. All I want to do is cute and fun but calculated. We have lost some of the “jackson browne” type lyrics.
Yes Kristian and Jennifer have taken Sugarland to a different level. But without Kristen, there wouldn’t have been such a sound foundation. Let her have some fruit of her labors. She left the road and left the furious pace necessary to “make it”. She did not relinquish her entitlements. Jen and Kristian need to tell their business people to “make this disappear”. Give Kristen what is fair and right or the fight will prove costly for the product, Sugarland.
SugarlandNut says:
I’m so saddened by this news. I hope all three can get this issue settled soon and I hope the Sugarland career is not affected. I love Jennifer and Kristian and I hope things get worked out and resolved.
mark says:
total sour grapes and bitterness on KRISTENS part. strange how sudden the suit came about after the release of DELUXE FAN EDITION that has the best sales to date only to file suit on the day of the regular album release. this mess has had time to have been settled a while ago. she claims that the remaining members of SUGARLAND are not working things out with her. Y’ALL that is totally crap. to me,KRISTEN does not want to and is unwilling to work with JENNIFER,KRISTEN to settle this issue peacefully.as for her claim for the name SUGARLAND, she cant claim some thing she is not entitled to. the city of SUGARLAND TEXAS would have had to give their consent for the use of the name SUGARLAND,a claim KRISTEN HALL can not make.this lawsuit is nothing more than USELESS PETTY VINDICTIVE BITTERNESS by KAREN,just pure meaness.
the shop across the street says:
I like Jennifer Nettles & Kristian Bush…Love their music…sounds like the quitter(Hall) is just greedy.
I agree with Edward Cole…
Andy
the shop across the street says:
I would buy Jennifer Nettles & Kristian Bush CD’s no matter what they called the “Band.” They are Great as a Duo…and I hope they “Stay” that way.
Andy
Lindsay says:
This is absouletly rediculous. If she really wanted money she would have filed this earlier. She didn’t help write ANY on the 3rd. And her help on the 2nd album isn’t even a single. So it’s really fighting a losing battle.
michaela says:
I read the lawsuit on another site and what I see does not point to some agreement that they had when Kristen left the band. So, from what I can tell this is not about Jennifer and Kristian reneging on an agreement, but Kristen changing her mind on whatever agreement they made when she left and now deciding that she still wants part of their earning, because she trademarked the name ’sugarland’.
Hayley says:
Almost all you guys are really dead-on about this topic! I like it, and I like all the agreements. Why don’t they just hire us FANS as the jury? =D
OhYa says:
How do we know she left voluntarily? Because they said so on their website? I think I get it - she is the lesbian so she must be wrong.
If they kicked her out of the band without her agreement, 1.5 milly seems cheap.
Goals and Aims | I Have Retarded Friends Dot Com says:
[...] Sugarland’s Success Story Gets Sticky With Lawsuit [...]
You People Are Nuts, All of You says:
Here’s a new concept for many people on this blog, I realize:
Before you post, have a freaking clue about what you’re writing about!
If any of you think you know what Jennifer, Kristen or Kristian were thinking three years ago or yesterday, you’re delusional!
meagin says:
all i can jealous sorry but she left her choice and she half of the money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UHHHHHHHH I DONT THINK SO
litepants says:
The article was in the Atlanta Journal and Constitution as well as every informational website.
Sugarland has left a long list of musicians in their wake.
This has been a long time coming. I would not be surprised if it became a class action suit. Sugarlands management is notorious for screwing people.
Kristen leaving does not change contractual obligations, that of which Sugarland is in breach.
Best of luck to Kristen Hall!!!!!!!
smoke and no fire says:
I am amazed that you people believe everything you read. Sad to see how many ignorant people would take a side to something you know absolutely NOTHING about.
Rachel says:
ENOUGH ALREADY! What happens with this lawsuit happens, but IMO, Kristen don’t deserve a dime. She left the band, and shouldn’t get any cent of what Jen and Kris are earning now. Sorry to all the other fans on here who recognize my name (Haley), but what I said I mean. I don’t have any respect for Kristen left at this point in the game, and it will be a long time before “Just Might (Make Me Believe)” gets any play time from me.
27 says:
y’Know, she left, whether it was by choice or someone pressured her, she still left. I doubt Nettles and Bush were holding guns to each side of her head telling her to get out or die. She’s a smart woman; she could’ve stayed had she really wanted to. Yes, she should get a cut of what she helped create on the first CD and the one cut on the second, but what claim does she have to anything else that Sugarland does after she’s been gone for years? It sounds as if she wants what she’s entitled to, but she’s going about it in a way that makes her look ugly. Filing on the day their Deluxe Edition CD came out was a very bad idea. It opens up all kinds of doors for people who want to say she’s just jealous. I actually saw Sugarland in Davenport that night. They were amazing. Wonder if they’d heard the news at that point? It’d sure be hard to go on and make it look good after hearing that a former bandmate was coming after you.
hannah real-LY loves SL ;) says:
kristen may have come up with the name “Sugarland,” or whatever she is claiming, but she left Jenn & Kristian to fend for themselves and they did one heck of a job coming back stronger than ever!! They have the #1 album in ALL genres right now and nothing can stop them. Kristen had nothing to do with that album, and should not get a penny of it…..
I hope Jenn & Kristian know their fans are behind them 110% on this… we love them no matter what their name is :))
Branwen Cromer says:
Why did Kiristen file this lawsuit the day that sugarland came out with their new cd instead of a month before or after?
Andrea says:
Kristen left the band after the first record. Beside one song all the songs from the second and third album were written by Kristian and Jennifer. She had nothing to do with that.
They won “duo” of the year - without Kristen.
They had No. 1 albums and singles - without Kristen.
What was her part of the success of Sugarland after she left? Leaving the name? Come on.
I liked them with and without Kristen. But I have no sympathy for Kristen and her lawsuit at all.
If this gets worse the best Kristian and Jen could do: break up Sugarland and start over with a new name.
Think About It says:
I’ve read the court documents and here’s my humble opinion:
If it weren’t for Kristen Hall, THERE WOULD BE NO SUGARLAND. Period. The band IS (not WAS) her brainchild. She is the core person who put the talent together, conceived of and trademarked the name “Sugarland”, was the principal songwriter, and also financed the recordings, touring, merchandise, and promo material with her own credit cards. She deserves to profit from this. It’s not a case of “sour grapes” - it’s just business. You would do the same if you were in her shoes. I promise you that. No, really — you would.
Once the line-up of Hall, Nettles and Bush was established, they realized they had a band with major talent, great songs and huge potential (and they hit the jackpot). With that, they agreed to associate as co-owners in a business for profit and form a partnership to “equally share in the profits and losses of that partnership” – essentially the “Sugarland” brand name. The major crux of this lawsuit is that Hall’s contribution to the partnership was the brand name itself – which she had initially trademarked herself, but in the interest of the band, she allowed Nettles and Bush to obtain equal co-ownership of the name. This is very important, because even though Hall is no longer “in the band”, she is a co-owner of a partnership that continues to use and profit from partnership property – primarily the name “Sugarland”, as well as her intellectual property and other creative efforts. Think of all that merchandise, etc with the name “Sugarland” on it and think of how successful they are now – all due to the initial efforts and sacrifices of all three members. Get the picture? You don’t want to bust your ass for nothing, do you?
Now, regarding Hall’s exit from the band, there are several theories out there as to why she left ranging from: A) She was openly gay and was forced out of the band because of her image (God forbid that the conservative Country music industry and Country radio support an openly gay artist – never mind a few of those artists you may know and love who are not “open” — yet), B) She left to be a solo artist (she was a solo artist to begin with!), to C) She didn’t want to tour anymore so she could concentrate fully on her songwriting (she is a brilliant songwriter – listen to her solo material, especially “Million Years”. You’ll thank me). We may never really know.
Whatever the reason, you have ask yourself why would the founder of a group just quit right when they start to have major success? It is very questionable timing, indeed. Isn’t that why you started the band in the first place? Was it really an image thing? Was there really pressure from the label and/or the other members to leave the band for the “sake of the band”? Was she actually just tired of touring and for the “sake of the band” decided to exit and concentrate on her songwriting – the major reason the band was successful in the first place and a resource they could draw from in the future?
Whatever the “real” reason is, the name “Sugarland” is still being used and is still being profited from. That name happens to be co-owned by a partnership of three people (as far as we know) and one of the partners is not seeing anything from it. It just so happens that that one person is the one who started this whole thing. This is not a case of “well, she’s not in the band anymore and now that they are hugely successful, she’s greedy and wants more money”. It’s more involved than that. I will definitely be watching what develops with this story….
Andrea says:
The name Sugarland is still being used. Right.
But since Kristen left she don’t have any kind of creative input to this project “Sugarland”.
She didn’t write the songs like “Stay” and “All I want to do”. She wasn’t part of the band when they won “Duo of the year” - which they wouldn’t have won if she were still a band member.
She wasn’t touring, she wasn’t doing any kind of promo for the last two albums.
If it’s about the name - my advice: reinvent the band with a new name. If it’s about bringing together this two people… do you really think you deserve money for this?
Sorry, but I can’t see one legitimate reason for demand 1,5 millions! And it makes you wonder: do you think she would demand this money if Sugarland weren’t at a number one?
Ham says:
Thank you Think About It. The first sensible comments I have read yet on this hugely complicate lawsuit. This is not sour grapes, good/bad timing or anything else. It is contract law that must get sorted out and the sooner the fans stop fanning the flames over something they know nothing about, the better for all 3 parties involved. If you think you love SL, keep quiet and wait for this to be resolved by the parties involved which doesn’t include the fans.
Gena says:
People break off from bands all the time. She has nothing in writing and has waited until the success is all over the media to want something from them. She couldn’t handle the pressure of touring, crowds, whatever well, they COULD and they are reeping the benefits from it. Nobody thought they would make it as a duo and look who all they fooled. Get over it Kristen, they have moved on without you, and you are still getting plenty of royalties from your previous songs you wrote on their other two cd’s. Hang in there Jennifer and Kristian, ya’ll are stronger than her…..
roxielab says:
greed, sour grapes, regret, whatever. if there was a written contract that says what she claims, then she has a case, if not, then not, my gut says they forced her out in 05, but she figured they’d flop and now that they are popular and successful, she wants her cut. If there really was a valid, legally binding agreement, she wouldn’t have sued because sugarland’s lawyer would ahve told them to pay up.
Think About It says:
Here’s a link to the court document:
http://www.aolcdn.com/tmz_documents/0808_sugarland_wm.pdf
After carefully re-reading the language of the lawsuit and considering all of the speculation as to why Hall left the band, I have a strong sense of what really happened and why she is suing. Keep in mind that this is all speculation on my part, but I’ll bet it’s pretty close to the truth and doesn’t surprise me one bit. Correct me if I’m wrong, but here goes:
I believe she was forced out of the band with the promise of being generously compensated for her time and efforts if she would agree to make the statement of “staying home to concentrate on her songwriting”. They in turn would “support her in her decision”. Of course, these statements would be made in order to keep the peace and not damage the Sugarland name – there’s too much record label money invested and everyone involved wants this to be a “friendly departure”. But obviously, that compensation has never happened. Nettles and Bush don’t appear to be keeping their end of the deal “since excluding Hall from all aspects of the partnership’s business”.
I believe this all comes down to the image of the band and the desire of others (Nettles, Bush, and the label) to move in a different direction. Maybe the record label did too many focus groups and market research and came to the conclusion that Hall had to go and thereby “persuaded” the others to make the change in order to guarantee themselves a more secure future. Lose the lesbian and you’ll get more airplay, recording budget, tour support, sales percentages, etc, etc. Life will be a lot easier for all involved this way. (I really hope it didn’t happen like this. But when there’s big money at stake, anything can happen).
Nettles is definitely the main focal point of the band (that the target female demographic can strongly relate to and the guys want to lay), Bush is the happy sidekick (that the target female demographic thinks is kinda cute like their brother), but wait a minute — what do we do with the “other” person? She doesn’t quite fit the mold of a country artist. Could having a gay member damage the band’s appeal to country radio? Would radio alienate the band like they did the Dixie Chicks if this becomes public knowledge? Would it offend the country music fan? Will their videos get played? How in the world would we market them? Yeah, she put the band together and had the creative vision, but in this business, everyone is expendable. I suspect Nettles and Bush took the label’s side and did what they had to do and agreed to pay Hall for her exit. “Thanks for bringing us together and helping us get to this level, but we’ll take it from here.” “Oh yeah, the check’s in the mail.”
Again, this is all speculation on my part, but I bet it’s close to what happened. I really hope it’s not. I hope I’m wrong, but I’m not holding my breath. Nothing surprises me anymore.
Eddie says:
I don’t know the details behind the lawsuit, only that it has been filed. Contract law is hideously complex, and the court system moves very slowly in such matters. So be it.
What I do know is that, for me, the songs on the first CD were far more interesting and involving, both sonically and emotionally. They had a depth as a trio that Sugarland as a duo simply does not match. Go back to TTSOL and listen to “Stand Back Up”, then tell me seriously I’m wrong on this.
Think About It says:
After carefully re-reading the language of the lawsuit and considering all of the speculation as to why Hall left the band, I have a strong sense of what really happened and why she is suing. Keep in mind that this is all speculation on my part, but I’ll bet it’s pretty close to the truth and doesn’t surprise me one bit. Correct me if I’m wrong, but here goes:
I believe she was forced out of the band with the promise of being generously compensated for her time and efforts if she would agree to make the statement of “staying home to concentrate on her songwriting”. They in turn would “support her in her decision”. Of course, these statements would be made in order to keep the peace and not damage the Sugarland name – there’s too much record label money invested and everyone involved wants this to be a “friendly departure”. But obviously, that compensation has never happened. Nettles and Bush don’t appear to be keeping their end of the deal “since excluding Hall from all aspects of the partnership’s business”.
I believe this all comes down to the image of the band and the desire of others (Nettles, Bush, and the label) to move in a different direction. Maybe the record label did too many focus groups and market research and came to the conclusion that Hall had to go and thereby “persuaded” the others to make the change in order to guarantee themselves a more secure future. Make the change and you’ll get more airplay, recording budget, tour support, sales percentages, etc, etc. Life will be a lot easier for all involved this way. (I really hope it didn’t happen like this. But when there’s big money at stake, anything can happen).
Nettles is definitely the main focal point of the band (that the target female demographic can strongly relate to and the guys want to be with), Bush is the happy sidekick (that the target female demographic thinks is kinda cute like their brother), but wait a minute — what do we do with the “other” person? She doesn’t quite fit the mold of a country artist. Could having an “out” member damage the band’s appeal to country radio? Would radio alienate the band like they did the Dixie Chicks if this becomes public knowledge? Would it offend the country music fan? Will their videos get played? How in the world would we market them? Yeah, she put the band together and had the creative vision, but in this business, everyone is expendable. I suspect Nettles and Bush took the label’s side and did what they had to do.
Again, this is all speculation on my part, but I bet it’s close to what happened. I really hope it’s not, but I’m not holding my breath. Nothing surprises me anymore.
Think About It says:
Ooops….sorry about the repost……
Robin says:
Think About It-I think you make a good case. We don’t really know why Kristen left, or what agreements were made, and we probably never will. I just hope Jennifer and Kristian handle this situation with their usual class and integrity. I hope they are fair and do what’s right–whatever that is, because none of us were there when Kristen left and agreements were made, so we don’t know.
No matter what, I love and support Jennifer and Kristian.
Rachel says:
After reading their lawyer’s statement, I don’t think Kristen has a chance at a dime of that money she’s after.
KEN says:
I SERIOUSLY DON’T THINK SHE WAS FORCED OUT OF THE BAND,I
THINK THAT THIS BAND STARTED OUT TO BE A TRIO(ALL 3 MEMBERS EQUAL)BUT THEN JENNIFER’S VOICE,TALENT AND LOOKS
MADE HER THE FOCAL POINT OF THE BAND,AS SHE SHOULD HAVE BEEN.THE ONLY MONEY KRISTEN SHOULD GET IS FROM THE 1ST ALBUM,PERIOD!!!!SHE OBVIOUSLY DIDN’T THINK THEY WOULD BE BETTER WITHOUT HER,BUT THEY ARE MUCH BETTER.END OF STORY!!!
KristenFan says:
I’m actually glad Kristen left the band. I have been a huge fan of hers since she was on the road crew of the Indigo Girls. Her music has always been much deeper and more satisfying than anything Sugarland has done (including the first album, which I bought and tried to get into…but couldn’t). Sorry, don’t mean to offend…that’s just my opinion. Listen to ‘Angel Toes’ on her MySpace page. Now that’s a song…and it doesn’t come close to touching her older work.
Having read Kristen’s blog and website entries for many years I can’t imagine her having any desire to bring forth this lawsuit. It must have been a very hard thing for her to do. She had to have known that it would do a lot of damage to her reputation in the industry…not to mention all the wrath of the fans. Look at all of the comments here willing to believe the worst in her (like any of you really know what transpired between them when the split happened). I just hope this is cleared up quick so everyone can go back to making music.
Kyle says:
I love Sugarland and all three of the albums. I agree that if a writen deal was made then they should honor it; however, I understand that a writen deal was not made and Kristen does not have a case without one. It is really sad that Kristen has not done anything with her career since Sugarland, but does she need to ruin the remaining two members’ careers?
Sheanna Willis says:
I love all your music! my favorite song is stay because that song remind me about my oldest Rachael and my brother in law they used to be married now thier devorst.But when one day I put that song stay on her answer machine her listened and she like it and I told her how that song stay remind about how their marriage was some latter the next they were geting along and they going to get married agin thank for that song. Oh yeah I also love that “All I want to do”.
patricia says:
i don’t think that she should get any money i did not see her name on any of those song’s and she chose to leave the band. bull she should not get anything she does not deserve
patricia
patricia says:
jennifer&kristian you guy’s rock can’t wait for your concert keep the faith. love ya.
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James says:
I don’t think it has anything to do with Kristen Hall’s orientation. I just think she’s after some money. Maybe.. Jennifer and Kristian did agree to share their profits with her, but I bet you it was only for the (first album, singles from the first album, and the song “sugarland” from the second album). That doesn’t entitle Kristen Hall any profits or rights to anything else on the second album, or the third album. She’s upset at herself because she made a stupid mistake by leaving the best selling country group thus far, and she’s taking Jennifer and Kristian to court because she thinks that she has a case, but in reality it’s all going to bite her in the ass in the end…
StephC says:
There was a third member of Sugarland?
Ok, honestly, I can see this Hall being entitled to profits from the first album, as well as any other work she was involved. Beyond that, she doesn’t have a claim. Sugarland is what it is today because of Nettles and Bush. THEY are the reason I like this group.
And frankly, she should be happy that to get those little profits from the first album. Given that they became this great success AFTER she left, which surely gave that first album a boost in sales….
dave says:
It’s basic contract law. If the contract says she is suppose to get a share then she will. She isn’t greedy to want the payoutfor all her years of work. If the band makes money 10 years from now she should still get her share.
mike tittle says:
well i dident know who jennifer or sugarland was until back in may i love jennifer nettles this is got to be some sick joke if kristen thinks that she can sue jennifer and kristian for somthing like this she is out of her mind i don’t want jennifer to loose her job this cant be happening right now sugarland will die if jennifer loose her job i want jennifer and kristian to know that i want to be there friend i will do what ever it takes to make them happy your friend and sugarland fan mike tittle
Ashley says:
I think that if Kristen is going to cry i would get her the name and come up with another one so mabe she will be happy and leave them two grate singers Jennifer & Kristian alone. If she thinks she can sue them for 1.5 millon dollars then she can keep thinking that because if they do not have anything that is written down that say she gets half of the profits or losses the she can FORGET IT. I love Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush and she has no right to say that if it is not true.
Ashley says:
I think that if Kristen is going to cry i would give her the name and come up with another one so mabe she will be happy and leave them two grate singers (Jennifer & Kristian) alone. If she thinks she can sue them for 1.5 millon dollars then she can keep thinking that because if they do not have anything that is written down that say she gets half of the profits the she can FORGET IT. I love Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush and she has no right to say that if it is not true. “SUGARLAND ROCK’S”
jethro jimkindy says:
I like suger land
marylou picklebarrel says:
I like them too jethro,hey i think were related
T Poo says:
Well considering many believe she left the band because she didn’t fit the image (her weight), which is lame, and because she wrote many of their songs and helped them form and they made the deal, then they should pay up. She’s not all of a sudden like “oh they are popular and weren’t before, now I want money.” I think they pushed her out, personally, and I know people who worked with them when on tour and have said to me that there were issues regarding that. It’s sad because Kristen is very talented, as well as the other two. I still like Sugarland and will continue to listen to them, but if they made a deal then they should honor it even if they don’t like it. That’s life.
thebagel says:
Contract law is contract law. Ms. Hall is suing for 1/3 profit of the brand she owns. According to the lawsuit filed, Ms. Hall did try to end the partnership. I just hope this goes to trial so we can find out the real reason why she left Sugarland. T Poo, I agree with you. On Dick Clark’s Rockin New Year’s Eve, she did not appear to be ready to just jump ship. The fact that it took so long for a statement (carefully worded by an attorney) from Ms. Hall’s lips speaks volumes. She also had a song playing on her myspace page that said something (and I can’t use ALL the words here due to content) that ‘you say it’s not ok to be gay…’ The fact that she left Sugarland, shortly after a feature article in The Advocate talking about her success with Sugarland, and the fact that the focus groups would rather concentrate on a ’sex’ role model than talent is another. I am not saying Ms. Nettles is not talented, however, the industry is always trying to cram a certain female image to the listeners. NEW FLASH—-look at your audience…They are not all thin or heterosexual woman! They owe! they owe! It’s off to trial we go!
Tina T (Maine) says:
I say she left the band so be it. when she left she left it all. Sugarland is more popular now then they was back then. I hope she gets nothing…if she wanted part of it, she shouldnt of stayed in it.. plain and simple.
kadia says:
i dont really feel that hall deserves anything more. jennifer and kristian have proved successful w/o her and to be honest i like the duo better w/o her. tho i do love the song sugarland..jen and kristian dont need much more to rock the stage, and that includes hall