Kristen Hall Leaves Sugarland

Kristen Hall of the country music trio Sugarland is leaving the group to spend more time writing songs.

Hall wrote most of the melodic story songs that comprise Sugarland’s major-label debut, “Twice the Speed of Life.” Besides writing, Hall sang harmony and played guitar.

Fellow members Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush released this statement: “Kristen has decided that she wants to stay home and write songs, and we support her in that decision.”

A spokesman for Universal Music Group Nashville, which includes the band’s Mercury label, said Wednesday that Sugarland would continue as a group and will open for Kenny Chesney on his tour beginning March 23rd in Dayton, Ohio.

Sugarland was one of country music’s bright spots last year, selling about 2 million copies of its album and producing the hit singles “Baby Girl” and “Something More.”

— Associated Press