Jennifer Nettles Parts Ways With Longtime Label, Universal Nashville
Sugarland frontwoman-turned-solo-artist Jennifer Nettles has exited her record label, Universal Nashville, the artist announced Aug. 3 in an official statement. She signed with Mercury Nashville, a division of Universal Nashville, with Sugarland in 2004.
"I want to thank Universal Nashville for 11 wonderful years," Nettles tells Billboard. "This change is the first step on a path I've been wanting to take. I am so excited about the next part of my journey and I invite my fans to stay tuned."
Nettles first appeared without bandmate Kristian Bush on a duet with Jon Bon Jovi in 2006 (“Who Says You Can’t Go Home"), but it wasn’t until 2013 she announced plans to release a solo project. In 2014 she released her first full-length solo record titled That Girl, which debuted at the top of the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.
Just days ago, Nettles released a new single with Universal called “Sugar,” which would have been the lead-off track from her upcoming sophomore album. Though she has left the label as a solo artist, Mercury has confirmed that they reserve rights to any upcoming Sugarland projects.
No word yet as to what this means for Nettles’ future releases, but the singer has been busy on many other fronts, including debuting an original jewelry line, hosting the 2015 iHeartRadio Country Festival with Darius Rucker and recording a duet with the one and only Reba McEntire. Nettles even took a detour down Broadway, starring as Roxie Hart in the saucy musical Chicago before returning to the studio in May.
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