409 replies to this topic

[Belle Céline]

I have been and will continue to keep Jennifer and Kristian in my prayers but fore most those who lost their lives and those who are injured. I knew some people there, that were in the pit. They are all okay but have some injuries. Please pray for them.

[bluejay88]

It's so terrible what happened.  I can't imagine losing a loved one in such a tragic way.  I am keeping them in my thoughts!  I just don't know why they would have a concert with such terrible weather.  

Edited by bluejay88, 14 August 2011 - 02:08 PM.

[I Love You]

Its horrible what happen, prayers going up to all the injure, and all the people who lost there lives and to there familys as well.

[Belle Céline]

bluejay88, on Aug 14 2011, 04:08 PM, said:

It's so terrible what happened.  I can't imagine losing a loved one in such a tragic way.  I am keeping them in my thoughts!  I just don't know why they would have a concert with such terrible weather.  

They were already evacuating people. They told them to seek shelter, some chose to stay. The stage collapsed in a matter of seconds.

[Tyler1991]

Here is a video of the collapse and then some news footage.



Those screams give me chills down my spine....and not the good kind of chills.

[Belle Céline]

I can't watch the footage anymore. It's awful. I have saw it in the news all day.

Quote

“I am so moved. Moved by the grief of those families who lost loved ones. Moved by the pain of those who were injured and the fear of their families. Moved by the great heroism as I watched so many brave Indianapolis fans actually run toward the stage to try and help lift and rescue those injured. Moved by the quickness and organization of the emergency workers who set up the triage and tended to the injured. There are no words to process a moment of this magnitude and gravity. There are only prayers for peace in the hearts of the bereft, and prayers of thanksgiving for those who were spared or safe. A piece of our heart is left in that grandstand. May God provide peace and healing to the people of Indianapolis.” -Jennifer Nettles, lead singer of Sugarland after the sad incident that involved their stage collapsed during a massive rainstorm killing at least five people and injured 40 others on Saturday, August 14th, 2011.

[Belle Céline]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — It came down to seconds and one critical decision that may have saved the lives of country duo Sugarland and others at the Indiana State Fair where five people died when the stage collapsed.

Tour manager Hellen Rollens looked at the sky and decided to hold the band backstage a minute before 60 to 70 mph wind gusts toppled the roof and the metal scaffolding holding lights and other equipment on Saturday night in Indianapolis.

Sugarland manager Gail Gellman told The Associated Press on Monday that others felt it was safe to go on, but Rollens acted on her intuition.
Gellman says lead singer Jennifer Nettles and partner Kristian Bush are devastated. Bush went home to his two children in Georgia.

Their set was destroyed in the collapse. But they are planning to perform as scheduled in Albuquerque, N.M., Thursday.

[Belle Céline]

Sugarland likely saved by tour manager's decision.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. –  It came down to seconds and one instinctive decision that may have saved the lives of country duo Sugarland and others at the Indiana State Fair where five people died when a stage collapsed.

Tour manager Hellen Rollens looked at the sky and decided to hold the band backstage. A minute later, 60 to 70 mph wind gusts toppled the roof and the metal scaffolding holding lights and other equipment on Saturday night in Indianapolis. It crashed into the audience, killing four instantly and fifth later at a hospital. Dozens were injured, some critically.

When they heard the deafening boom of the stage crashing, Sugarland and crew hit the ground and took cover against a wall, thinking it was going to collapse on top of them. At some point, they made it out of the dust and debris and converged on their tour bus.

“There was no running out anywhere,” Sugarland manager Gail Gellman told The Associated Press on Monday. “No one knew what happened. It was just the moment when your eyes get big.”

Gellman said others felt it was safe to go on stage, but Rollens ultimately acted on her intuition.

“As a tour manager, it’s super important to understand what the weather conditions are when you play outside. We’ve always talked about not putting the band on during wind, lightning or heavy rain,” said Gellman, who was in Las Vegas with another client that night.

“Everybody was standing in a prayer circle getting ready to go onstage, and Hellen, as she was walking down the ramp, the stage fell. So her decision to hold them for literally a minute saved every band member and crew’s life.”

The calamity has deeply touched Sugarland members Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush.

Nettles said in a statement that she watched video of the collapse on the news “in horror” and was “moved by the grief of those families who lost loved ones.” She said she was also “moved by the great heroism” of fans who ran toward the stage to help rescue the injured.

Gellman met up with Nettles on Sunday and has watched her struggle to cope since then.

“There are moments I can see great clarity in her eyes, and there are moments I can see her tears well up so much that I just don’t know what to do,” Gellman said. “She’s just processing and wants to encourage people to be together, to support each other.”

Bush went home to be with his children in Georgia.

Gellman strongly believes it was the weather and not a staging problem that brought down the Indiana State Fair structure. She said it will not dictate how she guides her acts in the future.

“I would pose the same question to every band that goes out there, Keith Urban, Kenny (Chesney). We all tour during the summer. We all play outside. We’re all cognizant and very aware of what we hang and what we do,” she said. “We have restrictions and requirements (from each venue), and we stand by every single one of them.”

Sugarland’s elaborate set for their “Incredible Machine” tour was destroyed in the collapse. They canceled their Sunday show at the Iowa State Fair, but are “hoping and preparing” to perform as scheduled in Albuquerque, N.M., Thursday.

[Belle Céline]

We have taken a couple of days to try and even begin to emotionally process the magnitude and gravity of the tragedy in Indiana on Saturday. While the path to healing from this type of trauma and loss is long and winding, we wanted to reach out and update you on where we are and how we are.

We are in the process of planning a private memorial in Indiana, to honor those fans who died. We would first like to hold space so that their families can have time to go through their own services and memorials. Until that time we are holding vigil for them. We join them on their mourning benches. And we stand in the gap asking God to offer them peace and healing. For those suffering from injury we hold you up with prayers for complete healing of your own.

We are also addressing our own specific healing. Our road family experienced its traumas together. While we all scattered to our given families for their comfort, the trauma we experienced together binds us in a unique way that we share only with each other, and those who were there. There is healing in our being together. There is healing in our working together. For this reason we are planning to get back on the road this weekend, beginning with our scheduled show in Albuquerque this Thursday, August 18th. The emotions have us yearning to be close to each other immediately. The logistics have us needing to replace all of our instruments and equipment. (The set is a loss that is insignificant in light of the tragedy.)

This Incredible Machine is more than a tour and more than a set. We have always celebrated music as a Healer. While music cannot change the events and losses at the Indiana State Fair, it can hopefully serve as a ritual and a balm to provide comfort and facilitate healing in this time of great sorrow. We hope to see you all soon.

Love,
Sugarland

[Belle Céline]

Indianapolis

For the first time since the tragedy at the State Fair, Sugarland will take the stage Thursday.

Their performance in Albuquerque will include a message to everyone in Indiana and a song dedicated to the victims.

Sugarland has granted Fox59 access to carry its performance live Thursday night. They will take the stage at 10:45 p.m. The message and dedication will last less than 10 minutes.

There will be an NFL preseason game on Fox at that time, but at 10:45 p.m. Fox will be cutting away from the game to bring you this very special message and dedication live on our air.

[Belle Céline]

I can’t even find the words to express how proud I am of Jennifer and Kristian tonight and the whole Sugarland crew. I can’t imagine doing what they did tonight after what happened, I’m not that strong. Jennifer and Kristian are, they are unbelievably strong. My heart was breaking and tears filled my eyes for Jennifer when she talked about what happened and asked for the moment of silence. When Kristian started playing guitar more tears came. I have never been prouder to be a Sugarland fan than this very moment, I’m proud of their strength, their courage to go on and their love for their fans which is unconditional. Their tribute tonight was beautiful, and respectful and heartfelt.

Please just take five minutes to watch the tribute
http://www.fox59.com...88-b40e2c274424

Edited by Belle Céline, 18 August 2011 - 10:06 PM.

[Tyler1991]

I attended the Maroon 5/Train concert tonight (it was to be held at the state fair but it got moved to a different venue do to the accident). Maroon 5 and Train did their whole show tonight and donated all their ticket and merchandise sales to the families of the victims. Additionally, Conseco Fieldhouse didn't charge the state fair a dime for the venue change...so everyone who worked there tonight (ticket scanners, security, concessions, etc) all volunteered and worked for free. Absolutely amazing.

Anyway, at the concert someone came on stage and they did a text-pledge where they asked everyone to text the word fair to some number and then it would be a $10 donation that would be paid for on your next phone bill. They mentioned that Sugarland would be asking everyone in their audience to do the same tonight! They also mentioned how they planned on coming back and doing a special performance in Indianapolis. Thought that was really special.

[Belle Céline]

Another of the 40+ that were injured has lasses away. Now six have lost their lives...please keep them and their families in your prayers.

[Belle Céline]

Seventh Fatality After Indiana State Fair Stage Collapse at Sugarland Concert

The death toll from a stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair on Aug. 13 has climbed to seven. Meagan Toothman, a 24-year-old cheerleading coach at a Cincinnati high school, died late Sunday.

[Belle Céline]

Pausing for a moment of silence Albuquerque, New Mexico on 8/18/2011 to honor the victims of the Indiana stage collapse before dedicating and singing their song 'Love' for the victims.

Edited by Belle Céline, 27 August 2011 - 06:10 PM.

[Belle Céline]

woo way to go Sugars! Fifth year in a row for vocal duo!

[puttybuddy]

So happy for their win too. I thought their performance last night was so awesome! Jennifer is one talented hot lady!

[shih-tzu]

I love duet Jennifer and Lionel Richie - Hello, this is absolutly the best duet for me    

[CelineDionFan710]

Jennifer is pregnant

[ErwinG]

so Jennifer is going solo ... and her first single is great!

Check out the video: