Sugarland began as a trio of singer/songwriters all with separate solo careers in Atlanta, Georgia. Lead singer Jennifer Nettles (Soul Miner's Daughter) brought her gospel background to the group, rounded out by songwriter and solo artist Kristen Hall and Kristian Bush, formerly one-half of duo Billy Pilgrim with Andrew Hyra. The three artists formed Sugarland in 2002 and self-released an EP of demo recordings titled Premium Quality Tunes. Mercury Nashville Records signed Sugarland in 2004 after a series of live performances had Atlanta wanting more of their poppy country sound. A two-single release "Baby Girl b/w Stand Back" preceded Sugarland's record debut, the Garth Fundis-produced Twice the Speed of Life, which went platinum.

Sugarland stayed away from the "sophomore jinx" with their second full-length album, Enjoy the Ride. Released in 2006, Enjoy the Ride secured Sugarland success among the pop and country crowds and peaked at the number four spot on the Billboard 100 Chart. The mysterious departure of Hall from Sugarland later that year left Nettles and Bush stunned but still standing as a duo. Enjoy the Ride went double-platinum; Sugarland continued to ride the contemporary wave of country with their pop sound. The duo left Nashville for their native Atlanta to record 2008's Love on the Inside, which they co-produced with Byron Gallimore. Critics hailed the stripped-down album Sugarland's most organic work yet and with the success of the album's single, "All I Want to Do," it seems that this country-pop group will continue to rank among the contemporary country and pop charts for years to come.