Sugarland’s Bush drops by Decatur CD
Sugarland
There was good news and bad news for Decatur CD customers Wednesday.
First, the good news: Making good on the promise he posted on the indie record shop’s blog last weekend, Kristian Bush, one-half of the Grammy-winning country duo Sugarland popped into the store.
The bad news: the duo’s iron-clad exclusivity contract with Walmart prohibited Bush from making good on his offer to personally deliver cases of Sugarland’s new CD/DVD set “Live on the Inside.”
As Buzz readers will recall, Decatur CD owner Warren Hudson took to the store’s Website to last weekend to publicly complain about the Atlanta-birthed band’s sweetheart deal with Walmart that allows only the big box national retailer to stock Sugarland’s latest release.
Bush, a veteran Atlanta singer-songwriter who, along with musical partner Jennifer Nettles, have relied on local indie record stores for years as they grew and developed as artists in various bands immediately posted a response on the blog.
He promised to “come by the store and bring you a few boxes of discs. We can peel off the Walmart stickers together while we catch up.”
Alas, Bush was only able to bring in Sugarland posters and other fan goodies. Sugarland fans are still unable to purchase “Live” from the very independent Atlanta retailers who helped make Bush and Nettles into a global brand.
What’s your take on this? Should successful acts like Sugarland accept lucrative exclusivity deals with big box retailers like Walmart and Target? Or should they support the now-struggling indie record shops like Decatur CD and Criminal Records who helped them get their start?
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17 comments Add your comment
Stan
August 12th, 2009
4:19 pm
Maybe they could put together CD for exclusive distribution via independent shops…would probably not be their best material but it could be cool
Tom
August 12th, 2009
4:33 pm
Their next live album could be recorded at Eddie’s Attic or Variety Playhouse and only available at Criminal Records, Decatur CD, etc. There wouldn’t be a huge production cost for them, yet a great way to bring the live music experience to the fans (in a small venue) and support indie record shops.
Kenny
August 12th, 2009
7:42 pm
Me thinks Jennifer Nettles is still HOT!
chad
August 12th, 2009
7:51 pm
Agreed, release the 40watt shows or something low key to only Indies, and that will show alot of love to the grassroot supporters and stick it to the man at the same time..
NotAFan
August 12th, 2009
8:15 pm
I understand it’s now a business for Sugarland but it’s still a slap in the face to the fans and the indie record stores who helped them get going. Shame on Sugarland for forgetting who really made them what they are.
Knows Kristian but does not love him
August 12th, 2009
8:41 pm
How typical – Kristian is a man who does not keep his promises – especially any promise that is financial. Just ask his former partners or anyone (like me) who has done business with him and gotten screwed.
Yo' yo-Bubba
August 12th, 2009
8:50 pm
an album of independent-like music for release only in indie record stores is a good idea. This band Sugarland is in a league of music business that most fans and musicians only imagine. They are making hay and striking while the iron is hot and all. If they’re smart (and I think you have to be to handle being so big) they will opt for the best payout, because it never last forever. But an indie album? I like that. Maybe Jennifer could drop that twang and sing like a soul singer, like when she started. Wouldn’t that be great. Leave the country stuff to the Wall Mart shoppers.
Richard Bagge
August 12th, 2009
10:00 pm
Gonna have to agree with Tom’s suggestion – I like that idea a lot. I’d like to see more artists do that.
Jeff Hall
August 12th, 2009
10:01 pm
darn….. I only buy my cds at Decatur CD……. I guess I will pass on the new disc…. I don’t shop at wal mart.
MSG
August 13th, 2009
8:27 am
Let’s be real. Jen’s a smart Agnes Scott woman. She made a solid business decision. Kudos to her for living her dream of being a rock star. Those of us in crammed into coffee shops in the early 90’s knew she was extra special. Sugarland deserves this time. I agree with Chad. There are ways to balance appeasing the “man” and pleasing those of us who still own the first “tape” she ever released! HML
Dinosaur Bones
August 13th, 2009
8:34 am
I stopped listening to Sugarland after they parted ways with Kristen Hall – she was the real heart and soul of the group.
Not Exclusive
August 13th, 2009
12:25 pm
I do not support the exclusive contract deals. That is just Walmart and Target’s way of shutting down the indies. Don’t forget where your support started.
Dan T
August 13th, 2009
6:01 pm
Take the wrappers off of the cds and sell them as used, consumer would still buy at the same rate that Wal-Mart charges, btw I HATE WALMART
kurt
August 14th, 2009
9:16 am
Would it have killed Kristian to buy about 100 CDs himself and just donate them or as Dan T suggested, taking the wrappers off, signing them and giving them away?
Jeff@50
August 14th, 2009
10:38 am
At least he showed up, but having an exclusive deal that shuts out the indies and small stores is a terrible slap in the face to the people who helped get Sugarland to where they are. Sell-outs!
Annie
August 14th, 2009
11:11 am
Hey “Knows Kristian but does not love him”, I have heard that same thing, from someone who did biz with him. That karma is gonna come back to bite him. And as for exclusive deals with Walmart? I just have one word…. “Ick!”
Franklin
August 21st, 2009
4:41 am
He brought by some posters? Might white of him.