Sugarland might be taking some time off while lead singer Jennifer Nettles enjoys time at home with her new baby boy, but that doesn't mean her bandmate, Kristian Bush, is taking it easy. The 43-year-old just released his first solo single, "Love or Money," in the UK and all over Europe.

"I know you are thinking 'What is an American country music singer doing putting out a single in Europe?,'" he shares on his website. "Well, I want to tell you the story of how this happened, because it has been the craziest string of good fortune, and because I think the 'why' is sometimes more important than the 'what.'

"As most of you know, Jennifer and I are taking some time off the road in order to give her a chance to enjoy being a new mom," he continues. "But I have been a songwriter and a performer for as long as I can remember -- it is not something I will ever stop doing, because it is part of who I am. So when I was given the chance to spend the last month in Europe, first with the CMA Songwriters Series, and then performing as part of the inaugural C2C Country Music Festival in London, I didn't think twice. I said yes, and off I went."

The father of two says it was those recent overseas appearances that inspired him to release the self-penned song as a single. "I played 'Love or Money' with a full band at the C2C Festival," he recalls. "It was my first solo gig, at the first country music festival in England. When I heard the entire O2 Arena singing the chorus back to me, I knew we were doing the right thing."

The multi-instrumentalist insists he isn't leaving his American fans out of the fun. "To all of you who live in the U.S. and other countries where 'Love or Money' is not available yet, I hope you will trust me when I say we are working very hard to find a way to make you a part of this story, too, just as soon as possible," he says. "In the meantime, we made a lyric video so that you can sing along at home."

Watch the "Love or Money" lyric video below, and read Kristian's full letter to fans here.

Watch Kristian Bush's 'Love or Money' Lyric Video

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