It was a warm summer night in Randolph, Ohio the night of August 25th. The air was humid and coated with the familiar smells of italian sausage sandwiches, candy apples, and all the other delicacy’s one can expect to be available at a county fair. Having to walk through the housing that held the animal exhibits to get to the concert area, one couldn’t help but notice a few other smells too, but we won’t get into that right now.
The grounds were jam-packed with record breaking attendance. Gary Allan was headlining that night and a little 3-piece trio called Sugarland was to open for him.. Gary alone was enough to pack the small arena set up to house the concert, but the fair board couldn’t believe their luck having signed Sugarland months ago and long before the bands popularity exploded with the release of their first album titled, Twice the Speed of Life. Knowing there would be a great need for more seats than usual, seating was arranged differently this year. Using both sides of the grandstand, 4,000 seats, and having 1,800 reserved track seats the event still sold out. For the first time in the fair’s history, there wasn’t enough seats for everyone wishing to attend.
By special invitation, I was invited to take pictures of Sugarland’s meet and greet taking place behind the stage. Adoring all the excitement I witnessed, I especially noticed a young girl named Allison, who had driven all the way in from Struthers, Ohio with her family. Barely being able to contain her excitement as she waited her turn, she finally made her way to the front of the line and met Sugarland. The trio happily signed the banner she had made, and posed for pictures with her and her family. The smile on her face was priceless and I couldn’t help but to feel her excitement.
So a little after 8:00, Sugarland took the stage. Jennifer Nettles, lead singer, acknowledged what a beautiful evening it was for a concert. Sticking mostly with songs from their album, the night began with, “Fly Away,” “Tennessee,” and “It’s Hello.” Three songs with light melodies and positive messages. It set the tone for the evening and made me very glad I was part of this very receptive crowd.
Continuing on with an introduction to nearly every song, something that made the night seem so intimate, Jennifer dedicated “Small Town Jericho” to all the new high school graduates who like her, had packed all their belongings into their little Toyota Corolla named Petie, and left town on a quest for something better.
Next on the list was a song oddly enough written by Elton John called “Country Comfort.” Written so well and with such a simplistic point, the song easily converts from the pop genre it was intended for into the perfect song for a country band. Jennifer’s version performed with such an incredibly rich, bluesy voice mixed with a little twang, echoed throughout the fair grounds and made me wonder why in the world I am only just now hearing of her.
Covering more cuts from the CD including, “The Ride,” “Speed of Life,” and “Just Might (Make Me Believe,” I noticed how each one of the trio had brought their own unique individuality to the stage. Kristian Bush and his mandolin covered every square inch of the stage at one time or another, and for more than a few times came right to edge to play up close for the fans lucky enough to be in the first few rows. Kristen Hall, the trio’s guitar player and back-up vocalist adds such an incredible warmth to the performance with her constant sincere smile. It all blended so well together it’s very surprising to hear that the trio has only been together for three years.
With their turn soon coming to an end we finally heard the familiar fist few notes of the their current hit, “Something More.” Those attending that hadn’t stood up yet, were on their feet now as the crowd erupted into applause. “Baby Girl,” the trio’s first single was last. This single by the way is a record breaker, remaining on the country charts longer than any other. Not too bad for a little trio from Atlanta. If you haven’t seen them live yet, do it now while the band is still playing the smaller intimate venues. They are Superstars in the making.
Set List
- Fly Away
- Tennessee
- It’s Hello
- Honky Tonk Heaven
- Small Town Jericho
- Country Comfort
- Round Here?
- The Ride
- Down in Mississippi
- Speed of Life
- Just Might (Make Me Believe)
- Something More
- Baby Girl
Sugarland's Concert Review | Gary Allan's Concert Review
