The main concert stage collapses during a storm at the Indiana State Fair on August 13, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The stage fell just before country duo Sugarland were scheduled to perform, killing at least four people and injuring as many as 40 more. (Photo by Joey Foley/Getty Images)

Moments before Sugarland was scheduled to take the stage at the Indiana State Fair on August 13, a deadly storm with wind gusts of 60-70 mph rolled in, causing the main stage to collapse.  Seven people were killed and dozens more were injured.

This raw video clip posted by a concert-goer on YouTube shows the stage collapsing as the storm hit. (WARNING – this video contains disturbing images):

Indianapolis Star music reporter David Lindquist was in the fifth row of the Grandstand when the storm hit. According to him, opening act Sara Bareilles finished her set by commenting what a beautiful night it was. Less than 30 minutes later the stage was on the ground. “The gust of wind came, there was no rain yet and the production fell from left to right,” he said. “And you could see, you could clearly see people were under the footprint of the rigging.”

Pollstar reported that a last-second decision by Sugarland’s tour manager, Hellen Rollens, likely saved the lives of Sugarland and their band. She made the decision to hold everyone backstage just minutes before they were scheduled to go on and moments later, the stage collapsed. As the stage fell, Sugarland and their crew hit the ground and took cover against a wall, thinking the structure was going to collapse on top of them. ­­

View photos of the stage collapse »

Sugarland released an emotional letter to their fans, friends and family following the tragedy. Read it HERE. The duo returned to the stage for the first time on August 19 in Albuquerque, NM. At the beginning of the show, Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush, along with their entire band and crew, took the stage and asked the crowd to join them in a moment of silence honoring all the victims and their families.  Jennifer and Kristian went on to play a stirring acoustic version of “Love.”

Watch the performance:

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Shania Twain and her husband, Frédéric Thiébaud, on their January 1, 2011 wedding day. Photo credit: Robert Evans, RobertEvans.com.

Several country stars tied the knot in 2011. Two of them even kicked off the year with New Year’s Day nuptials in tropical places! Shania Twain married husband Frédéric Thiébaud in Puerto Rico on New Year’s Day in front of 40 close friends and family. Shania announced their engagement on her website on December 21, 2010.

Kellie Pickler and husband Kyle Jacobs also tied the knot on New Year’s Day. The pair scraped their plans for a big Nashville wedding and eloped to Antigua where they were married at sunset. “We didn’t have anything but us and God and our minister,” Kellie told People, “and I can’t think of a word that can quite describe how perfect it was.”

LeAnn Rimes married actor Eddie Cibrian on April 22 at a private home in California. The 40 guests invited believed they were attending an engagement party but were surprised with a wedding ceremony. The couple exchanged personalized vows and Eddie’s sons Mason and Jake, from his previous marriage, were in attendance. “I’m looking forward to settling down,” LeAnn told People before her wedding. “Settling into our life.”

Chely Wright, who made headlines in 2010 when she came out, married her partner, Lauren Blitzer, during a ceremony at Lauren’s aunt’s home in Connecticut on August 20. Since Lauren is Jewish and Chely is Christian, both a rabbi and a reverend presided over the wedding. “The freedom of being out and open about who I am allowed me to find and fall in love with Lauren – the most amazing woman I’ve ever known,” Chely told People. Continue Reading

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Kellie Pickler performs on ABC's CMA Country Christmas, the concert special airing Thursday, December 1 at 9/8 CT.

The CMA Country Christmas concert special, hosted by Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles, airs tonight, December, 1 at 9/8 CT on ABC. The holiday special includes performances from some of country’s biggest stars as well as intimate fireside chats with artists sharing their favorite holiday memories.

For Kellie Pickler who was joined by husband Kyle Jacobs, one of her treasured  memories is from when she visited with troops in Iraq who couldn’t be home with their families for the holidays. “There are so many things we take for granted,” she said. “We don’t realize it until it’s not there anymore – until that luxury, that freedom, is not there.”

One of Faith Hill‘s favorite memories is of the Christmas she and her two older brothers were given a big box of peanuts by their parents. The siblings had to dig through the peanuts to find money. “I got so upset because she didn’t put any money in my box,” Faith said. “I thought, ‘She gypped me!’” Faith also revealed that she, husband Tim McGraw and their three daughters read The Night Before Christmas, bake and make reindeer food every Christmas.

See photos from this year’s CMA Country Christmas! >>

Vince Gill and wife Amy Grant shared some of their favorite Christmas memories from their childhoods. Vince revealed that his sister is a master at opening Christmas gifts before Christmas Day – and re-sealing them. “She was good at acting surprised at what she got,” Vince said. Continue Reading

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Jennifer Nettles and Justin Miller at ACM Presents: Girls' Night Out: Superstar Women of Country concert on April 4, 2011

Congratulations to Jennifer Nettles who got married this past Saturday, Nov. 26 to long-time boyfriend Justin Miller.  In an article posted at People.com, the website is reporting that the couple quietly got married this past weekend during a  “small, sunset ceremony in Tennessee.”

The story went on to report that Jennifer wore an Alexander McQueen gown during the ceremony held at a chapel in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains in front of an intimate group of close family and friends, including Sugarland bandmate Kristian Bush. Continue Reading

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Little Big Town photo courtesy of Capitol Nashville.

Little Big Town is getting into the holiday spirit by releasing their version of the Christmas classic “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”. The band’s rendition of the song can be heard on EW.com by clicking HERE. It can also be purchased digitally now.

“This is one of my favorite things we’ve ever done as a band,” Karen Fairchild said. “It’s a great challenge to interpret a classic and make it your own. I’m really proud of the way this turned out and am hoping we make a bunch of folks’ Christmas playlists for years to come.” Continue Reading

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Keith Urban, Lauren Alaina & Martina McBride perform on ABC's CMA Country Christmas, the concert special airing Thursday, December 1 at 9/8 CT.

Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles will again host CMA Country Christmas, the concert special airing Thursday, December 1 at 9/8 CT on ABC. The holiday special will include performances and stories from some of country music’s biggest stars and was filmed at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on November 10.

During the special, Sugarland will perform the Christmas classic “Silent Night” while American Idol runner up Lauren Alaina will make an appearance to sing “Grown Up Christmas List.” Fans will also see Keith Urban perform an intimate version of “The Christmas Song,”  Martina McBride share her rendition of “Please Come Home For Christmas,” and Darius Rucker perform his rocking version of “Winter Wonderland.”

See photos from last year’s CMA Country Christmas! >>

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Jennifer Nettles photo by Donna Svennevik/ABC, courtesy of the Country Music Association.

Christmas arrived early in Nashville on Thursday night. Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles hosted the second CMA Country Christmas concert, held at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. The concert was taped and will air on December 1 at 9/8 CT on ABC. It will feature holiday songs and stories from some of country music’s biggest stars.

Lauren Alaina, Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Brad Paisley, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Brian Setzer, Sugarland, and Keith Urban all performed during the holiday show. Vince Gill also performed along with special guest Miss Piggy. Continue Reading

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Lionel Richie and Shania Twain photo by Alan Silfen, courtesy of UMG Nashville.

Lionel Richie has been added to the list of performers at this year’s CMA Awards. Lionel will debut select duets from his upcoming country duets album, Tuskegee. Lionel is scheduled to perform selections from the album with duet partners Little Big Town, Darius Rucker and Rascal Flatts. The CMA Awards will air live on ABC on November 9 at 8/7 CT.

Tuskegee contains 13 duets with some of the biggest names in country music. Other artists joining Lionel on the album include Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney, Billy Currington, Jason Aldean, Shania Twain, Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson and Jimmy Buffett.

“As my songwriting progressed, I realized that my songs perfectly translated to the country genre,” Lionel said. He was born and raised in Tuskagee, Alabama. “I am a country boy and proud of it. To do this project just felt natural,” he said. Continue Reading

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Jennifer Nettles photo by Donna Svennevik/ABC, courtesy of the Country Music Association.

For the second year, Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles will host CMA Country Christmas. Airing December 1 on ABC at 9/8 CT, the two-hour special will tape in front of a live audience on Thursday, November 10 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

“The recurring themes you find in country music are the foundation of what makes the holidays so meaningful – the comfort of home, family, and friends,” Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer, said.  ”CMA Country Christmas will be wrapped in those traditions.” Continue Reading

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Jennifer Nettles photo by Dana Tynan, courtesy of Sandbox Entertainment.

Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland made her third trip to Guatemala over the summer in support of the Nashville-based Shalom Foundation. While in Guatemala, Jennifer and Sugarland documentarian Valarie Allyn Bienas shot footage of the community for an upcoming documentary short.

The Shalom Foundation is a humanitarian aid organization dedicated to providing assistance to children and their families living in extreme poverty.  The organization focuses on providing services in four key areas: medical care, nutrition, education and community development.

“I don’t want this to be in my words, ’cause it’s not my story,” Jennifer said of the documentary. “I wanted to interview these people whose lives had been affected. It’s their story to tell, and I feel like we are honored by them sharing it. I just want to be the person who goes, ‘Listen!’” Continue Reading

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