Sugarland have been up against their predecessors, Brooks & Dunn, in various award show Vocal Duo categories for the past several years, taking home the trophy the last four times at the CMA Awards, as well as at the 2009 ACM Awards. With this being Brooks & Dunn's last year as a duo, many thought the retiring twosome would grab the nostalgic vote to be named the CMA Vocal Duo of the Year, but it was Sugarland who took home the award.

While they've been rivals at awards show and on the charts, the two duos are actually good friends. "They've been supportive of us from the beginning," Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles explains. "We went on tour with them [for the Long Haul Tour in 2006]. As a matter of fact, we also just did a show for our record promotion that we did with AMEX. [It was] a live stream that was wonderfully successful for us, and part of that was the fun of the guests that we brought on that show to include Mr. Ronnie Dunn, who came to sing 'Very Last Country Song' with us. That's just an example of how supportive they've been."

Sweet sentiments indeed, but there is still a bit of friendly competition. "Now at the same time, it's every man for themselves out there, you know what I'm saying? They've had a good ride of it," Jennifer jokes. "No, it's good. We're proud of them and hope that they are of us too."

Sugarland, who released their latest album 'The Incredible Machine' in October, have one more date on the books before taking a break for the holidays. They are set to perform on 'VH1 Divas Live' December 5.

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