Jennifer Nettles Signs New Record Deal With Big Machine Label Group

Jennifer Nettles has found a new label home. The singer, who is also one-half of the duo Sugarland, has inked a deal with Big Machine Label Group.

Nettles recently announced her departure from Universal Music Group, on which she released her solo album, That Girl, in 2014. The project landed at the top of the Billboard Country Albums chart when it was released, but the title track barely broke the Top 40, and the record did not produce any more hit singles.

"This change is the first step on a path I've been wanting to take," Nettles told Billboard after leaving UMG. "I am so excited about the next part of my journey, and I invite my fans to stay tuned."

Shortly before the announcement of the split, Nettles' former label released "Sugar" to radio. The tune was supposed to be the debut single from her sophomore album. There is no word on what will happen with that project, but UMG still holds the rights to any future Sugarland albums.

Nettles' music career may have to take a backseat to her promising acting career for a little while this year. She recently starred in Chicago the Musical on Broadway, and Nettles is now set to appear in the upcoming Dolly Parton TV movie, Coat of Many Colors, as Parton's mother, Avie Lee Parton. The movie is scheduled to premiere on Dec. 10 at 9PM ET on NBC.

Nettles joins an all-star roster at Big Machine, which includes Florida Georgia Line, Rascal Flatts, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw and Taylor Swift.