Comments on: Kristen Hall on Why She Left Sugarland

By: jerry

jerry — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 07:40:08 +0000

I think she is saying what she may have been paid to say. I’ve been in and around Nashville my whole life and I’ve seen how prejudiced it can be – example – K.D. Lang. When she came out, Nashville turned it’s back on her. Another example – the Dixie Chicks, they made one simple opinion and boom, the backs turned again. I think what happened here was the label was looking for an image and since Jennifer and Kristian were straight and skinny, it didn’t mix well with Kristen. Because they say “image is everything”, I think Mercury wanted her out because they felt since she didn’t match the other two that the tickets and cd’s wouldn’t sell, all because she was different. Mercury knew Sugarland was getting to be big, I think they felt they could be bigger if they got rid of Kristen. Which I think is sad. Music is about the voice and playing, not about the looks. But that’s how stereotypical life can be. I wish someone would get behind Kristen and make it as a solo artist, and the one person who has had success in this field is Scott Borchetta. He should take time out from “Taylor Says” and focus on someone else, like Kristen. Because she’s a talent that being ignored.

By: Timmy Tommy

Timmy Tommy — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 16:39:08 +0000

I don’t care. Sugarland is yesterday’s news and so is Kristen Hall, Jennifer Nettles and that guy that they have. They haven’t had a hit in a while.

By: Ken

Ken — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 15:00:49 +0000

well folks, a coupla points yall mightve missed(since i didnt read ever dang 1 of the posts) #1. pressure from the label as to “whats sells” #2. pressure from the bands promoter/agent, backing up what the labels says(because the label is the cash cow)the label promotes the band, publicity on tv, radio, print, etc. all things being equal in the music bizz(which means) “Whomever controls the cash, controls the band” wanted Kristen out of the band, as being the odd person, which didnt fit into country musics “pc” pattern as such.(which is blatant BS on Nashvilles part)and the label offered her a cash deal if she left quietly, and which, btw, im a-thinkin the label reneged on, as she later sued for $14 million. as for the Lady’s looks…. all you hater peeps can go blow a goat, im a grown ass hetero male, and i think shes gorgeous, and extremely talented, or she wouldnt have done what she did with her music.

By: Tracy

Tracy — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 08:29:18 +0000

Kristen is a self confident, successful song writer,that believes “we are all sum total of our choices”. Elected to embrace what she is passionate about, what she excels at, writing music. In addition, I was a friend at the time that she put the Sugarland band together. It was Emily of the Indigo Girls 40th birthday at Eddie’s Attic where she told me she was going to name the band Sugarland. I was not so sure about the name, but she had interviewed a musician from Sugarland TX and that is how she created the name. Too sweet for me, but it did grow on me.

She wrote the first album, produce and practice in her home in Stone Mountain, create the image and the sounds that put this band on the main page. Kristen knew that Jennifer and Christian rocked, but individually they were not reaching their true potential. Kristen felt that with the three amigos as a team they had what it took to go to the top. She believed and created this magic as the team captain. I was there and experienced the creation since I was Kristen’s real estate agent and knew her as a friend since I knew nothing of her her musical abilities at the time. Ironically the same applied to Emily Saliers when I first interviewed to be her agent which was the referral source of how I worked with Kristen. Love you Emily for connecting me with this amazing woman that I am so fond of.

My best guess is that they did not place any value on her song writing skills and did not want to compensate her for her songs that made them. I have no knowledge to confirm this, but I do know that Kristen Hall is a great song writer. Jennifer is beautiful and I would be intimated by her voice and beauty, but Kristen can hold her own with her abilities and I feel that she is missed. In addition, I think she is beautiful, soulful, and has a drive that is unsurpassed by most.

By: Leah

Leah — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:37:34 +0000

I’ve known Kristen for almost twenty years. She is an amazing song writer, strong lyricist, and not cut out for out of the box Nashville pop-schlock. Sugarland is pathetic, and they ain’t writing’ their own songs. I applaud Kristen for getting out of that toxic, plastic environment.

Oh, and all the size comments. . . She’s not fat, she just wears baggy clothes. Those who would assume she was self conscious about her weight, just saw her hating video. Her new music is rocking hard. . . And at least her sows won’t trash fairgrounds and kill “fans.”

By: Linda

Linda — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 22:43:43 +0000

I just came to this blog post so pardon the late reply.

Jackie said, “….If she IS self-conscious, than her decision to leave the group makes complete sense. Any self-conscious person would be completely miserable in a successful band on the road. They would always be on stage, in a video, or having their photos taken by the media. Certainly not the ideal life for a shyer woman.”

I totally agree. I saw her videos and she looked very self-conscious in front of the camera. I don’t blame her if she was truly self-conscious, especially about her weight knowing that if she stayed with Sugarland she would be under an enormous microscope with millions of people looking at her on stage, on TV, in videos. Not to mention people have pointed out the quotes by her that all suggest that she was unhappy on the road and being around people. I sure hope she’s a lot more content now that she’s away from the spotlight and living a quiet life.

I really believe she wanted to become famous, hence forming Sugarland, but once she did achieve that fame, she realized it wasn’t as great as she imagined. Her reason for leaving is fine by me. After all, how would she know the fame wouldn’t suit her if she never tried? I think she’s an introvert who wanted to be famous.

By: Trina

Trina — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 18:55:35 +0000

If you can’t say something nice don’t say it at all!! There is a lot of talent in all three of them and their families! Be considerate everyone is different. Money and Fame are nothing if you are not doing what you Love. I think everyone should stop speculating and support the fact that they made their own dissensions and that it’s non of our business. I have a very talented Husband who is a song writer and musician and a son who is a musician and videographer! They are a breed all their own!! Show the Love a Support!! :o)

By: Kenny

Kenny — Sat, 07 May 2011 18:26:09 +0000

I can respect the “fairy tale” that Kristian is attempting to pass off on why she left the group but please pardon me while I say; “bullshit!” Look, I have been a professional “touring” musician for 20 years and (trust me) NO ONE works that hard and gets to THAT LEVEL of SUCCESS in the music business only to all of sudden say “uh, know what? I’ve changed my mind, I think I want to just forget all this and just stay home and write songs… so I quit!” Who in their right mind does that? Sorry but it just doesn’t happen that way folks.

Now, I don’t profess to know “why” she left the group and it’s none of mine (or anyone else’s business) …but I can guarantee you; it WAS NOT so that she could concentrate on her songwriting! She could have stayed in the group and still had plenty of time to write songs. If you think I’m wrong, then where are all of her songs? Have you heard any? I haven’t.

Trust me folks, you just don’t walk away from that kind of money so you can stay home and write songs that no one’s every heard of! Again, bullshit!

By: tim

tim — Thu, 05 May 2011 02:38:09 +0000

I love Kristen Hall , have for 15-20 years.I’m an old fart musician wannbe, never made it anywhere in music.she is an incredable songwriter, singer and musician and that is all that matters to me.

By: Jackie

Jackie — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 19:19:08 +0000

I don’t know if it’s true that she left Sugarland to write songs, but I don’t find that so unbelievable. She is considerably older than the other members and she wouldn’t be the first performer who slowed down their work after/during their forties. Not to mention, in all of the music videos that I’ve seen, she does not look as if she enjoys being in front of a camera. Perhaps she’s simply self-conscious (possibly due to do idiots who are intent on judging only her physical appearance and making no mention of her singing/songwriting abilities. I generally don’t have a problem with larger people, unless they are massively obese- that’s just disgusting and somewhat alarming- or unless they wear clothing that is clearly not meant for them. Kristin does not fit either of these categories and she is also a good songwriter). If she IS self-conscious, than her decision to leave the group makes complete sense. Any self-conscious person would be completely miserable in a successful band on the road. They would always be on stage, in a video, or having their photos taken by the media. Certainly not the ideal life for a shyer woman.