Photos: Sugarland, Little Big Town and Randy Montana at Cruzan

As the final notes of music faded tonight, my melancholy grew. I had just seen the last country concert of the year at Cruzan Amphitheatre. From the music to the weather to the crowd, it rarely gets better than it did tonight.

When Sugarland took the stage just after 9:15 p.m. — it was also the final night of their Incredible Machine Tour — I was struggling to make sense of the set. I love it when it’s a challenge to understand what’s happening, and it’s even better when it actually has a purpose. Sugarland delivers a show that’s a bit like a Cirque de Soleil performance – without the acrobats, although Kristian Bush does his best.

Their set is a masterpiece of complicated graphic design and they used the set better than any performer has this year. A theme of keys and keyholes, hearts and clocks and watch parts served as a sort of a framework for the music. It’s a visual feast.

The curtain that hid the set mixed textiles and cutouts and reminded me of a huge apartment building, and the haunting strains of Wide Open, off Sugarland’s upcoming album, built the anticipation. You knew Jennifer Nettles was back there, but where?
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More: Little Big Town as much a family as a country band | Directions, nearby dining

In the five years since Sugarland’s first single, Baby Girl, spent nearly 50 weeks on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart before stalling at No. 2, Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush have helped re-define country music.

You can see that for yourself when Sugarland takes the stage at Cruzan Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach on Saturday.

Sugarland has introduced musical influences from gospel to reggae to pop to their country performances, coloring outside the lines whenever the mood struck them. Nettles power-vocals have never placed her solidly in the country music camp either — the leggy blonde can sing any genre. But her sweet but sassy sound is Sugarland’s signature, which has caused some critics to ask, “What the heck does she need Bush for?”

Both Nettles and Bush had been pretty successful Atlanta-based musicians before teaming up with songwriter Kristen Hall to release Twice the Speed of Life six years ago. And as is often the case, the combination of their creative juices packed a punch that wouldn’t have happened otherwise.
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With the announcement of the seven show Country Mega Ticket today at Cruzan Amphitheatre, this year promises more country music locally than ever!

Following some incredibly satisfying entertainment at the South Florida Fair — I saw Luke Bryan, David Nail and Chris Young — we have a brand new festival at Cruzan and the South Florida Fairgrounds.

The first- even WIRK Rib Round-Up kicks off the season on March 6, promising sweet and spicy ribs and extra-tasty entertainment.

Billy Currington is the biggest name on the bill. His second Billboard No. 1, People Are Crazy, topped the chart last summer. Also performing: Vero Beach’s Jake Owen, Darryl Worley, American Idol’s Josh Gracin and newcomer Josh Thompson.
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More information about the show, tickets

Sassy, sexy Jennifer Nettles brings her blond curls and powerful alto to BankAtlantic Center Sept. 24.

As the voice fronting Sugarland, Nettles has captured the hearts of country music fans everywhere. The men think she’s prettier than a speckled pup and the women like her backbone.

Understated and oft forgotten though he may be, Kristian Bush has a chemistry with Nettles that’s palpable. He’s energetic and supportive. She’s fun-loving and rambunctious. Both had minor-league success in the music business before teaming up, but it’s the blending of the two that earned real success for the duo.
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Sugarland leads all the nominees announced Tuesday for Country Music Television‘s awards show next month with five nominations.

Brad Paisley and Taylor Swift are next with four each, followed by Rascal Flatts and newcomers Lady Antebellum with three fan-voted nominations apiece.

Kelly Pickler and CMT personality Lance Smith announced the finalists on air Tuesday morning.

Sugarland is nominated twice for duo video of the year — for “All I Want to Do” and “Already Gone.” They also received two for “Life in a Northern Town” with Little Big Town and Jake Owen: collaborative video and performance of the year.

Their final nod is video of the year for “All I Want to Do.”

Paisley’s “Waitin’ On a Woman” is nominated for video of the year and male video of the year. He’s also up for collaborative video for his duet with Keith Urban, “Start a Band,” and for performance of the year for “Country Boy” with Alan Jackson, George Strait and Dierks Bentley.

Swift’s “Love Story” is nominated for video of the year and female video of the year, and her performance of “Photograph” with British rockers Def Leppard is nominated for performance of the year and wide open country video of the year.

Viewers cast more than 2.5 million votes to decide four finalists in most categories. Fans can vote online at CMT.com through June 15 to determine the winners.

The video of the year competition is being handled a little differently. CMT has identified 10 nominees so far, and it will announce the finalists at the beginning of the June 16 awards show in Nashville. Fans can vote for their favorites throughout the show.

The cable network will air the awards live at 8 p.m. Eastern, and the show will feature musical performances by Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and Def Leppard.