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  • Jennifer Nettles Shares Message of “Coat of Many Colors”

    Jennifer Nettles plays the role of a young Dolly Parton’s mother in the Christmas special Coat of Many Colors. During a recent interview with The Christian Post, the Sugarland singer shared the message she received from the made-for-TV movie.

    “I think the best message of the film is you can be rich in things but it’s much more important to be rich in love,” she says.

    Her Coat of Many Colors role as Avie Lee Parton is the first onscreen role for Jennifer Nettles. In the role as a young mother of 12 children, she experiences profound grief when her baby boy, Larry, dies shortly after he is born.

    Dolly Parton knew as soon as she saw Jennifer Nettles audition for the role, that she was the one she wanted to play little Dolly’s mother.

    “That’s mama,” Parton said to her production partner, Sam Haskel.

    “Oh my, that actually makes me want to cry when I think about it,” Jennifer Nettles says. “Because what a huge compliment, and especially knowing her relationship with her mother, and my own relationship with my own mother. To hear someone see me in this way is really an honor.

    Nettles says she immediately said yes to reading for the role because of the movie being about Dolly Parton.

    “I don’t know who doesn’t love Dolly Parton,” she says.

    “I feel so spoiled for this to have been my first experience,” she adds.

    The message Jennifer Nettles got from playing this role is perfect for this Christmas season.

    Do you suppose Jennifer Nettles might consider furthering her acting career now that she’s starred in Coat of Many Colors? She certainly wouldn’t be the first singer to cross into acting–or vice versa.

  • Dolly Parton: Life Story Headed to TV in “Coat of Many Colors”

    Dolly Parton’s life story is headed to NBC in December. Called Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors, the made-for-TV movie stars Alyvia Alyn Lind as Dolly in her childhood years. Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland fame plays Dolly Parton’s mother and TV and film actor Ricky Schroeder plays her dad.

    “Dolly told me I reminded her so much of her father,” Schroder says in an interview with People magazine. “I was honored to play him.”

    The cast is rounded out with Gerald McRaney in the role of Reverend Jake Owens.

    “I had an incredible time making this movie,” Jennifer Nettles says. “It’s such an incredible story.”

    The film tells the story of Dolly Parton’s life as she grew up in East Tennessee’s Sevier County. Dolly Parton wrote a song of the same name, upon which the movie is based.

    It is about the patchwork jacket her mother made for her when she was just a little girl. Dolly Parton says she was so proud of that beautiful coat, but other children made fun of her for wearing it.

    Filmed mostly in Georgia, Dolly Parton did some of the work for the movie at Dollywood.

    The promotional poster for Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors came out this past week.

    Will you tune in to NBC on December 10th to see this story about Dolly Parton’s life?

  • Jennifer Nettles Kicks Off Solo Tour in Washington DC

    Jennifer Nettles released her first solo album That Girl on January 14 and launched the tour exactly a month later. On Friday night, she performed at the Lincoln Theatre in Washington, DC.

    The next night’s performance at Hard Rock Live Rocksino in the Cleveland, OH suburb of Northfield was a sold-out show.

    How are fans and reviewers responding to Nettles’ solo effort? Inevitably, they’re comparing it to the work she did as half of the country music duo Sugarland.

    While Emily Yahr of The Washington Post described Sugarland’s music as “energy-packed, carefree, delightfully weird,” she characterized Nettles’ solo performance as “calmer and more serious. The songs are slower and more thoughtful. The lyrics hit you harder … frankly, it’s just a little less fun.”

    Chuck Yarborough echoed Yahr’s thoughts after seeing the Northfield show: ” … she was a different performer.” According to him, the stripped down, more elemental nature of Nettles’ performance was a good thing, putting the focus on the songs, which he described as “high-grade.”

    That Girl was produced by music industry powerhouse Rick Rubin, whose trademark is the stripped-down sound that many reviewers have used to describe Nettles’ solo album.

    Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks has praised Rubin’s style: “He has the ability and the patience to let music be discovered, not manufactured. Come to think of it, maybe he is a guru.”

    For the most part, That Girl seems to be working for fans:

    Singer-songwriter Brandy Clark opened for Nettles over the weekend and is scheduled to tour with her through mid-April.



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  • Jennifer Nettles Talks New Album And Sports

    You may know Jennifer Nettles as the lead singer of the country group Sugarland. However, Nettles recently took a step in her own direction and released her first solo album That Girl, in early January.

    During a recent interview with radio.com, Nettles opened up about her new album, and how she has tried to keep her album from sounding so “anthemic”. Her previous Sugarland album Wide Open featured songs that were used for different sporting events, and they were even featured on the 2010 AT&T Team USA Soundtrack.

    “This album is so intimate and personal, it doesn’t feel like that big anthemic stuff,” she explained. “From my Sugarland records, ‘Wide Open’ I would say could definitely work in a sporty world.”

    I would agree that Nettles lives in a sporty world. During the interview, she also revealed that she has had the privilege to meet several famous athletes while traveling on the road. “I’ve gotten to meet a couple of people here and there,” Nettles said. “The (NFL’s New Orleans) Saints coach Sean Peyton. He’s dear friends with Kenny Chesney, and when we were out on tour with Kenny, we got to meet Sean. I’ve been really close to a couple of players, especially on Kenny’s tour, because he’s so (into) football. They were there watching. I’m so not sporty it’s hard to be specific.”

    Although Nettles isn’t a sports guru herself, she says that she would not keep her one-year-old son Magnus from playing sports if he chooses to do so. She thinks that sports, especially for boys, can be very beneficial, and she will not keep Magnus from participating in them.

    “I think the joy of being able to use one’s body and sports are super beneficial on a lot of levels, especially for young men,” Nettles said. “There are so many lessons that can be learned, and life lessons within that. Not to mention, most importantly the joy I think that one can get from it, which is the same way I feel about music. People say, ‘are you going to encourage him to be a musician?’ I hope that he finds joy in music. What he does with that is up to him. Same thing for sports. I hope that he finds joy in that.”

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  • Jennifer Nettles Releases New Solo Album

    On November 4, 2013 at the ASCAP Country Awards, Jennifer Nettles announced that she would be releasing her first solo album on January 14, 2014. Now, that time has come, and her album is already looking to be a smash hit.

    Sugarland fans were concerned when they found out that Nettles was working on a solo project, but Nettles put them at ease by explaining that the group had not split up. “Quite the opposite,” she said. “I can’t be in two different places at the same time and I put 100 percent of myself into something. I didn’t want to do a solo project out of dislike of the band. I love that music but there’s something else I had to prove to myself,” Nettles explained.

    Nettles said that she simply felt it was time to break away, and do something more personal for her. “I think this album so far for me musically has been the most intimate and personal … musically and vocally,” Nettles said. “I think it’s way more intimate to me and way more personal in the sense that when you collaborate, that’s the nature of collaboration, you’re affecting each other, and playing with and inspiring each other, and yet there are things that one may not get to do or want to do when collaborating.”

    Nettles gave birth to her son in 2012, and says that being a mother has really changed her in her personal and professional life. She explained that she was able to incorporate some of her motherly and wifely roles into That Girl.

    “I’m able to show a side that I think’s more womanly,” Nettles said. “I think it’s more mature, and so that’s big for me. I think it gives you perspective all around, not just musically but also in my career. I think you get superefficient because you have to be. You don’t worry about things that were super important before because you have a baby and you just burn that underbrush out. You feel like a huntress.”

    Have you listened to Nettles’ new album That Girl? Leave your comments below.

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  • Jennifer Nettles Releases New Album

    Jennifer Nettles Releases New Album

    Jennifer Nettles, the talented performer who made a name for herself as part of the country duo Sugarland, has spent four years working on a solo project. The project, which is titled That Girl was released on January 14th and already has fans and critics talking. Rick Rubin produced the album that showcased the wide vocal talents of the seasoned musician. Nettles, who has not released an album with her Sugarland partner Kristian Bush in years, recently spoke about the creative process involved in making her solo debut album. Nettles either wrote or co-wrote 10 of the 11 tracks for this new album.

    “I really didn’t put any boundaries on myself on how I wanted to write. I just let that happen and I didn’t know what direction it was going to go. I sat down at my piano, and I called old friends, and I made new friends, and all those things just to see from a writing perspective what would come together and what kind of collection I would make. It got to a point where I decided ‘Alright, it’s time,’” she said.

    The talented singer hopes the album will broaden her fan base as well as showcasing her abilities. “I hope that fans hear this album and from an ego perspective for me, from an artist also perspective, I hope that they listen to it and go, ‘Wow! She’s a way better songwriter and a better singer than I would’ve ever thought!’ I feel like the work that I’ve done with Sugarland, I’m super proud of it, and yet there are things that I wanted to prove to myself and to my fans and that I still want to,” Nettles said.

    Nettles tackles intense romantic themes in her first album. The song Jealousy has lines that read as follows: “I didn’t really mean to cause such an ugly scene / Showing up at your house, half-drunk and crazy / Bitch, I called you out.”

    Image Via Wikimedia Commons

  • Jennifer Nettles: New Album is Stripped Down and Emotional

    Jennifer Nettles’ debut solo album “That Girl” released Tuesday, and early reviewers say the songs are stripped down and full of emotion.

    The album, which was four years in the making, has been compared to the work of Carole King and Linda Ronstadt in the way that Nettles connects emotionally with the lyrics of her songs amidst “spare acoustic arrangements” that are balanced with “inventive rhythms and orchestrations.”

    Nettles wrote or co-wrote 10 of the 11 songs on the album.

    “I really didn’t put any boundaries on myself on how I wanted to write,” she said. “I just let that happen and I didn’t know what direction it was going to go. I sat down at my piano, and I called old friends, and I made new friends, and all those things just to see from a writing perspective what would come together and what kind of collection I would make. It got to a point where I decided ‘Alright, it’s time.’”

    Post by Jennifer Nettles.

    Nettles has been part of the country music duo Sugarland since 2003. In the beginning, the group was a trio consisting of Nettles, Kristian Bush and Kristen Hall. Hall left the group in 2006. The duo has sold millions of albums and won numerous awards, including two Grammys in 2009 for “Stay.”

    Nettles said that fans will see a new side of her both vocally and as a songwriter in “That Girl.”

    “I think this album so far for me musically has been the most intimate and personal … I think it’s way more intimate to me and way more personal in the sense that when you collaborate, that’s the nature of collaboration, you’re affecting each other, and playing with and inspiring each other, and yet there are things that one may not get to do or want to do when collaborating.”

    Nettles said fans immediately feared that Sugarland was over when she announced plans for a solo album, but that’s not necessarily the case.

    “I didn’t decide to do a solo venture, and Kristian didn’t decide to do his solo work and all the different projects that he’s doing out of a dislike of Sugarland.”

    Nettles and Bush have left it “open-ended” as far as when they might come back as Sugarland, but for now want to dedicate themselves 100% to their current solo projects.

    Image via YouTube

  • Jennifer Nettles Is Ready For Her Solo Album

    Jennifer Nettles has been a part of the country music band, “Sugarland”, for years. However, she says she is now ready to break away on her own and will release her first solo album on January 14, 2014.

    Nettles announced the date at the ASCAP Country Awards on Monday night. This was only one of many appearances she will be making in the near future. She will be in attendance at the CMA Awards on Wednesday night and will also serve as host during the CMA’s Christmas show.

    Nettles’ solo album, “That Girl”, is different from anything she has ever done before, being more “intimate and personal”. Nettles has promised her fans that they will see a different side of her on this album.

    “I think this album so far for me musically has been the most intimate and personal … musically and vocally,” Nettles said. “I think it’s way more intimate to me and way more personal in the sense that when you collaborate, that’s the nature of collaboration, you’re affecting each other, and playing with and inspiring each other, and yet there are things that one may not get to do or want to do when collaborating.”

    Nettles gave birth to a son, Magnus, 11 months ago and she says “That Girl” will portray her motherly and wifely roles. She says that being a mom and a wife has changed her.

    “I’m able to show a side that I think’s more womanly,” Nettles said. “I think it’s more mature, and so that’s big for me. I think it gives you perspective all around, not just musically but also in my career. I think you get superefficient because you have to be. You don’t worry about things that were super important before because you have a baby and you just burn that underbrush out. You feel like a huntress.”

    On her personal website, Nettles explains the story behind “That Girl”. “That Girl is the story of a woman who has been bamboozled, if you will, by a man,” she said. “She doesn’t know at the moment of being lured into his sticky web, that he has someone waiting at home. However, when she finds out that he has someone else in the picture, she takes matters into her own hands and says, ‘Oh no honey. This is not happening. See, I’m gonna call her and tell her that you’re being ‘that guy’, cause I don’t wanna be ‘that girl’.”

    Are you excited for Nettles’ solo album? Leave your comments below.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Jennifer Nettles Sets A Date For Solo Album Release

    Jennifer Nettles, one-half of the country duo Sugarland, has announced the release date for her first solo album and says the music is very different from what she produces with partner Kristian Bush.

    The album, “That Girl”, will be available on January 14th and is far more personal than anything Nettles has tried before.

    “I think this album so far for me musically has been the most intimate and personal … musically and vocally,” Nettles said. “I think it’s way more intimate to me and way more personal in the sense that when you collaborate, that’s the nature of collaboration, you’re affecting each other, and playing with and inspiring each other, and yet there are things that one may not get to do or want to do when collaborating.”

    Nettles gave a preview of her new album on Sunday at Marathon Music Works in Nashville and even collaborated with Richard Marx on the song “Know You Wanna Know”. The 39-year old singer says that since having her son 11 months ago, things have changed regarding what she considers to be important, and that is reflected in her songwriting.

    “I’m able to show a side that I think’s more womanly,” Nettles said. “I think it’s more mature, and so that’s big for me. I think it gives you perspective all around, not just musically but also in my career. I think you get superefficient because you have to be. You don’t worry about things that were superimportant before because you have a baby and you just burn that underbrush out. You feel like a huntress.”

    Image: Vevo

  • Jennifer Nettles Ready for New Album Release

    Jennifer Nettles is officially ready to release her solo album and has announced the date: January 14th. The Sugarland singer has a busy week ahead of her, full of appearances and album promotion, according to AP.

    On Sunday, she started the week with a listening party for her new album, entitled “That Girl”. She will continue the madness by attending the CMA Awards on Wednesday, and on Friday, will serve as host at the taping of the CMA Christmas show.

    So, how will her solo music compare to what we are used to with her musical other half, Kristian Bush?

    “I think this album so far for me musically has been the most intimate and personal … musically and vocally,” Nettles said. “I think it’s way more intimate to me and way more personal in the sense that when you collaborate, that’s the nature of collaboration, you’re affecting each other, and playing with and inspiring each other, and yet there are things that one may not get to do or want to do when collaborating.”

    That’s not the only big change in her life. It has been 11 months since Nettles gave birth to her son, Magnus. Motherhood has also changed Nettles, as it changes everyone, and she says that has made a huge difference, as well. “I’m able to show a side that I think’s more womanly,” Nettles said. “I think it’s more mature, and so that’s big for me. I think it gives you perspective all around, not just musically but also in my career.”

    “I think you get super-efficient because you have to be. You don’t worry about things that were super-important before because you have a baby and you just burn that underbrush out. You feel like a huntress.”

    I never thought of it that way, but so true. Well, I’m sure from the overwhelming success she has enjoyed from her Sugarland collaboration, we are in for a treat with Jennifer Nettles’ new solo album, “That Girl”.

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