Jennifer Nettles admits that 2011 has been a “tumultuous” year for Sugarland, and hints that it will be some time before she and partner Kristian Bush make their next move. After winning a fifth consecutive Vocal Duo of the Year award at Wednesday night’s CMA Awards, Nettles talked about the group’s future to reporters backstage.

“We are taking a few months just to chill and relax and sleep in our own beds and contemplate how we want to approach what’s next,” Nettles said. The break is understandable after two straight years on the Incredible Machine Tour, punctuated by last August’s tragedy at the Indiana State Fair.

Time away from Sugarland may give Nettles and Bush time to pursue other interests. During Tuesday night’s interview with Robin Roberts on ABC, Nettles said that she’d love to record a solo record, but quickly followed that up by reminding fans that she and Bush are very supportive of each other and working on separate projects would by no means indicate the band has broken up.

“We’ve been supportive of each other from the beginning and we already have other projects that we work in ourselves,” she said. Nettles frequently writes with other people and has an interest in theater. Bush writes on his own as well and is a talented record producer. Fans and critics have been looking for a break-up scandal since the group’s early days as a trio with  Kristen Hall. There just isn’t one to be found, she says.

“A solo record? Yes. I would love it if I did it. I would love it if he did it. I don’t have a recording date on the books as of yet. But yeah, it’s absolutely it’s something that I would love to do,” she confirmed.

Watch Jennifer Nettles’ Interview with Robin Roberts

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