Little Big Town and Sugarland sold out Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Friday night—the final night of their Take Me Home Tour. The tour marked the first time Little Big Town headlined the space and marked their 25th anniversary as a band. The tour also coincided with Sugarland’s 20th anniversary as a duo – and their breakthrough hit “Baby Girl.”
For those who missed the Little Big Town and Sugarland tour–here are five highlights from the last Take Me Home tour stop in Nashville on Friday night.
Videos by American Songwriter
1. Kelsea Ballerini Joins Little Big Town.
Ballerini strutted into the spotlight wearing a black, feathered bodysuit on Friday night to join Little Big Town on their song “Shut Up Train.” Ballerini and Little Big Town share a manager and have even recorded a version of the harmony-rich, heart-breaking ballad. It’s also not the first time they’ve collaborated. Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild helped Ballerini co-write several songs on her new album, Patterns. Ballerini brings an undeniable light and heart everywhere she goes—an awe-inspiring combination when woven into Little Big Town’s already revered vocals.
2. Megan Moroney Sings with Sugarland
Fans who buy concert tickets for shows in Nashville have come to expect special guests—and this tour didn’t disappoint. Moroney sashayed onto the stage in a white mini skirt to sing “Am I Okay?” with Sugarland. Since Sugarland’s Kristian Bush is her producer and some of Sugarland’s band were also with her in the recording studio, it wasn’t a far stretch for them. However, the duo’s Jennifer Nettles learned the song and delivered the lines as if she had written them. She didn’t – Moroney did with an assist from co-writers Jessie Jo Dillon and Luke Laird.
However, the sassy, high-energy performance was a highlight.
3. Sugarland’s Kristian Bush Declares the Fate of the Duo
Because of outside projects and solo interests, Sugarland fans know that the duo’s recording and touring schedule has been sporadic over the last few years. However, Bush told the more than 10,000 people in Bridgestone Arena Friday night that he and Nettles “have decided to always keep the band together –no matter what we do.” That’s a tall order for the charismatic team who, after two decades on the road together, still attack each performance with a tenacity usually reserved for anxious newcomers. And they’re busy. In addition to producing Moroney and other artists, Bush is also nurturing his solo career, touring with his Americana rock duo Billy Pilgrim and growing his improvisational rock band Dark Water. When he’s not doing that, Bush writes songs and pens musicals.
Nettles is pursuing her career as an actress. Nettles recently hosted the reality show “Farmer Wants a Wife,” she appeared in the series “The Righteous Gemstones” and a remake of The Exorcist.
4. Little Big Town Celebrates Milestones Backstage
Just before the last show started Friday night, Little Big Town gathered with their record label (UMG Nashville), management (Sandbox Entertainment), press members, family, and friends backstage at Bridgestone Arena to celebrate their homecoming show. The concert was the first complete set the band has played in Nashville since their headlining Ryman Auditorium residency in 2017.
The RIAA even gave Little Big Town a plaque to certify 29 million streams.
“We’re all here for you,” said UMG Nashville CEO Cindy Mabe. “This is the soundtrack of our lives.”
“What a surprise,” Fairchild said. “Thank you for all of the support over the years. It really means so much to us, more than you could possibly know. We always wanted to play Bridgestone, and here we are, and it’s sold out, and we’re here with all of our friends and family.”
Little Big Town also recently released their first holiday album, The Christmas Record, and will host Little Big Town’s Christmas at the Opry tonight at 8:00 PM ET/PT on NBC. The show includes collaborations with Dan + Shay, Kelsea Ballerini, Sheryl Crow, Kirk Franklin, Josh Groban, Kate Hudson, Orville Peck, and more.
Little Big Town and Sugarland Collaboration
Near the show’s end, Sugarland joined Little Big Town back on stage to cover their Grammy-winning collaboration “Life in a Northern Town” as snow fell on the stage. Then they kept their chemistry as bands who had worked together for two decades flowing with their newest joint song, “Take Me Home,” before Little Big Town closed the night with their biggest hits, “Girl Crush” and “Boondocks.”
(Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images)
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