CHERYL'S PEARLS: Pics 'n Ponderings: Sugarland with Little Big .

INCREDIBLE TIME WITH SUGARLAND

As a member of Sugarland`s Fan Club I had the unique chance to be one of the few fans selected to serve their afternoon sound check in Bristow, VA before their performance that evening. About 12-15 of us were checked through security and led to our seats in the pavilion. No cameras were allowed so I`ll do my best to key a verbal picture for you.

The band members were already warming up when Kristian Bush casually walked on stage wearing a blank t-shirt, torn jeans, flip flops and a ball cap. He waved to us and proceeded to discuss songs with the band. We were hardened to instrumental renditions of "Little Miss," Every Girl Like Me," and "Tonight" - all make new songs from Sugarland`s "Incredible Machine" album to be released October 19. They discussed measures and counts and at one point Kristian turned to us and said, "See, we actually do work!" With 15 minutes remaining in the sound check Jennifer Nettles arrived barefoot in a khaki colored jumper over a sports bra. She and Kristian adjusted their wireless mics and ran through the song "Settlin`." Kristian played guitar and Jennifer walked through the stairs on stage. They worked out a dance movement and did a hamstring stretch to warm up. As they rehearsed "Incredible Machine" Jennifer walked over to Brandon Bush (Kristian`s brother) on the keyboard, picked up a pair of drumsticks and began playing to the beat. The final song they rehearsed was "Sigh No More" - one of the encore performances they do with Little Big Town. Finally they bid us good bye and said "See you at the show!"

Having seen Sugarland perform the week earlier in Charlottesville, Virginia, I was genuinely look ahead to experiencing their concert again. Every sentence you go to this point you see something different and new. It is evident a lot of opinion went into creating the set with its machine-type mechanisms and contrasting romantic, Victorian feel with lamps, lighting and optical effects.

Sugarland is energetic and fun. Jennifer Nettles is such a joy to watch, playfully toying with the audience, cracking jokes with that deep southern drawl of hers and casually moving from call to song. She has a way of embodying the music - it seems to descend from a point deep inside her. She can be graceful as a ballerina one hour and foul as a street dancer the next.

Kristian Bush is a wonderful side kick for Jennifer. His side is always full of manifestation as he plays guitar or mandolin and sings. When he`s not mix it up with Jennifer he`s frequently moving near the present and interacting with the audience. If the songs "Stand Up," "Incredible Machine," and "Stuck Like Glue," performed in concert are any indication of the new album coming out in October, I think Sugarland has a huge hit on the horizon.

Sugarland`s opening act, Little Big Town, played several songs from their current album "The Cause Why." They open with the harmonious "Why, Oh Why" followed by "Little White Church," as good as "Runaway Train," "The Cause Why," "Shut Up Train," and "Kiss Goodbye" which is adorable and leave be their next single off the album. They also performed some crowd favorites "A Little More You," "Bring It On Home," and the always popular "Boondocks."

Little Big Town returned during Sugarland`s finale to perform London-based folk rock quartet Mumford & Son`s "Sigh No More." The harmonies were beautiful but personally I preferred their Charlottesville finale performance of "Walkin` In Memphis" with Sugarland.

The last call of the dark was Sugarland`s rendition of The Bee Gees` "Stayin` Alive," which received a terrible response from the hearing and appeared to make everyone up on their feet singing and dancing. I left Bristow with a grin on my case and a spring in my step.

Thanks for the unbelievable time Sugarland!Additional Photos by CWalker from the Bristow Concert