Sugarland's Kristian Bush makes good on promise to Georgia record store, buys some indie rock
Sugarland's Kristian Bush stopped by a suburban Atlanta record store Wednesday, making good on a promise he left on the shop's website -- at least partially.
Decatur CD's Warren Hudson had earlier criticized the band on the company blog, blasting the local country duo for striking an exclusive agreement with Wal-Mart for the release of "Live on the Inside," a CD/DVD combo that debuted at No. 1 on the U.S. pop chart. Hudson wrote to Sugarland that "by shutting the door on independent record stores, you’re in effect shutting the door on your hometown."
Bush responded on the store's site, writing, "You are right, and thanks for the suggestion. I am in Houston for a show right now but will come by the store when I get home on Wednesday and bring you a few boxes of discs. We can peel off the Wal-Mart stickers together while we catch up."
Pop & Hiss spoke with Hudson early Wednesday, and Hudson was positive that Bush was indeed the one who'd left the comment on the blog, although he'd made no effort to verify it. Sugarland's management neither confirmed nor denied the blog comment.
It turns out that it was indeed Bush, and the artist stopped by Wednesday afternoon, said Decatur's Eliot Johnson. There was one hitch, however.
Johnson said Bush ultimately was unable to bring copies of "Live on the Inside," due to the Wal-Mart exclusivity. However, Bush did leave Decatur a bevy of Sugarland product, including autographed posters and vinyl. The store was relatively empty at the time, said Johnson, but Bush chatted with the few fans who were there, and purchased some CDs.
Bush may have a country soul, but judging by his Decatur purchases, he also has an indie-rock heart. Bush went home, said Johnson, with albums from the National, the Frames and Elbow.
Wal-Mart is selling Sugarland's CD/DVD package for $12, and Hudson said he's had to turn away customers who visited Decatur looking to purchase the album. Hudson said he's not willing to go to Wal-Mart for copies of the CD, and then resell them at Decatur, a practice some indie outlets have resorted to when shut out of a major product.
"If it’s not being made available to us, then we’re not going to participate," he said.
-- Todd Martens
Photo: Kristian Bush and Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland. Credit: Getty Images
