But neither Bush nor Nettles do much for their cause by dissing alt-country performers who, if they’re not bedrock Traditional, at least understand the rich history and roots of country music. This is in complete contrast with Sugarland, who don’t even seem to CARE for, let alone UNDERSTAND, the genre’s roots and history.

I think Mr. Bush should worry about the diluting influence of Pop on Country music today, and start by cleaning his own musical house. He should offer atonement for inflicting songs like “All I Wanna Do” on the public. THAT is the far greater offense, far greater than any artists’s so-called pretense at trying to appear Traditonal.

And Razor said “He’s insecure because he knows he’s just window-dressing. But I’m beginning to like him less and less the more he opens his mouth.

Exactly. His few vocal contributions to the group’s songs are usually annoying to me anyway – and his quotes are getting more John Rich-esque every day.

The views expressed in the statements in question are soley those of Mr. Bush, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or philosophy of Jennifer Nettles, or the musical entity known as “Sugarland”…

A disclaimer on the disclaimer, this is not real, but I wish it was. I HOPE that Jennifer does not share the exact same musical philosophy as expressed in Mr Bush’s recent statements.

It seems like an inverted musical universe that KB lives in, where p.o.s. songs such as “All I Want to Do” represent substance over style? And roots music is just the opposite? I’m beginning to think that Mr. Bush puts the “sugar” in Sugarland, and attempts to pass off musical junk food as substantial fare. I wonder what color the sky is in his world.

I’m beginning to think he is a musical snake oil salesman.

Alt Country by no means lacks substance. Of course there are some artists out there who may not be quite up to par, but that goes for any genre. For him to throw all those artist under the bus like that, well, I just hate Sugarland even more now.

And I’d like to end by adding a quote from another article. And while you read that, think back to any of the Alt Country or Red Dirt shows you’ve been to…… great music and great showmanship. Who do these two think they are???

”You may see Jennifer Nettles play the piano or a bass guitar. I love throwing down the challenge to all the other country musicians. Sometimes you have to choose the fork in the road: the entertainer, or the musician. You go down one road long enough, and you end up Alison Krauss and Union Station. And you go down the other road, and you end up Kenny Chesney. Not to say that Alison isn’t a great entertainer or Kenny isn’t a great musician, but a lot of times that was traditionally the choice you had to make. We’re gonna challenge it, and say, ‘We wonder if you can do both.’”

~Jennifer Nettles, Sugarland

Honey, please. You are no pioneer.