Sugarland photo by Kate Powers, courtesy of UMG Nashville.

It’s a pretty good thing to be a member of Sugarland these days. Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush have won the Country Music Association’s Vocal Duo of the Year honor two times in a row, picked up a Grammy award and last week had their Twice The Speed Of Life album certified triple platinum.

Despite all those obvious indicators of their success, it was something that tied back to Kristian’s childhood that convinced him they’d turned a corner with their music careers.

“The moment I felt we’d made it was when we got to walk in to the set of ‘Sesame Street’ and sing with the Muppets,” he told Knoxville magazine. “You have to pinch yourself when you’re singing next to Oscar’s trashcan. It’s a beautiful thing, talking to a puppet. You can’t help yourself.”

Sugarland has a chance to win the CMA’s Vocal Duo award a third straight time on Wednesday, when the 43rd annual ceremony has them competing alongside Brooks & Dunn, Montgomery Gentry, Big & Rich and Joey+Rory. Sugarland is also up for Album of the Year with Love On The Inside.

Nevertheless, the Muppet-loving Kristian still has an unusual goal that overrides everything else on his career wish list.

“I want to write a James Bond theme song,” he said. “It’s like ‘Saturday Night Live’ — not everybody gets to do it. But I’ve been telling everyone I know just so maybe one day I’ll be considered.”

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