Less than two weeks after our cover story on Sugarland (pictured), the Atlanta-based country duo’s third album, “Love on the Inside,” claimed the top spot on the latest Billboard 200 album chart—the band’s first No. 1.
(Another first for an Atlanta act: Christian rock band Third Day enjoyed its highest sales week ever—its new album, “Revelation,” debuted at No. 6 on this week’s chart. That’s right: A Christian rock band from Atlanta scored the sixth highest-selling album in the country.)
The chart, from the Billboard issue dated Aug. 16, reflects the first week of release of the regular edition of “Love on the Inside,” which was released on July 29; a “special edition” with extra songs, released July 22, captured the No. 2 spot the week of its release.
It’s worth noting (at least to us) that the album only went to No. 1 after our July 27 cover story. We’re not claiming all the credit for this exciting milestone, exactly—we’re just sayin’.
But it's not all good news for Sugarland this week: Founding member Kristen Hall has filed suit against remaining members Kristian Bush and Jennifer Nettles, claiming she's been excluded from her share of profits. The lawsuit says that the three musicians entered into an agreement in 2002 in which they would equally share in all profits and losses, and that since Hall's exit in 2005 the duo has "acted in bad faith." Hall is reportedly seeking $1.5 million in profits, plus interest, attorney's fees and an accounting of all partnership affairs and businesses.
Photo: Kate Powers