Sugarland (Indianapolis, Ind.) - Sugarland singer Jennifer Nettles says no one told her or anyone in the band about the desire of the Indiana State Fair to delay their concert last August. Seven people died and dozens more were injured when the state fair stage collapsed just minutes prior to Sugarland's concert on August 13. Nettles gave her civil lawsuit deposition last Thursday in a video conference from Charleston, West Virginia. She was grilled by lawyers for victims of the stage collapse that killed seven people and injured dozens more. They asked if she would have delayed the concert if asked by state fair officials. “Yes,” Nettles replied. The country star told the attorneys that she "absolutely" cares about the safety of fans, but she doesn't think it was up to her, her group, or her management to "evacuate the fans in the case of danger." Nettles says the weather is not usually among her concerns prior to a show. “If I am performing in the weather, that is in the back of my mind. I don’t think ‘What’s the worst thing that could happen here,” she said. Nettles also said she didn't know fair officials were discussing delaying the performance with Sugarland's tour manager. She added that she didn't know the approaching storm was so severe -- although she admitted that she was aware there was "weather" in the area. She denied being driven to perform the show based on the contract with the Indiana State Fair or because of the eight-hour bus ride that awaited after it was over to the next show in Des Moines, Iowa. “My preference would be for everything to be fine, normal, and safe and then the show would go on as expected,” Nettles said. But Attorney Kenneth J. Allen, who represents some of the victims, doesn't believe Nettles. He says her testimony "defies reality" and is "inconsistent" with other accounts from that day. Allen adds that he thinks Sugarland was motivated to go on with the show in order to earn their performance fee, which was to be more than $300,000. Sugarland manager Allan Mayer called Allen’s remarks "scurrilous," and strongly denied his allegations. Seven people were killed in the collapse and more than 40 others were injured. Several lawsuits have stemmed from the tragedy, in which Sugarland has been named a defendant. Nettles’ bandmate Kristian Bush was deposed in a similar manner last Friday. None of his remarks have been made public. LINKS: Nettles Gives State Fair Deposition Reports Position Blame For Stage Collapse Sugarland Singer To Give Deposition In April House Approves Regulating Stage Equipment Sugarland Points Finger In Stage Collapse Suit Fines Doled Out For Safety Violations At State Fair State Fair Stage Collapse Report To Be Released 64 Claimants Accept State's Stage Collapse Offer Sugarland Named In New Stage Collapse Lawsuit 90 Tort Claims Filed From Stage Collapse Sugarland’s State Fair Benefit Concert Fri. Sugarland To Play Memorial Concert In Indy Documents: Fair Had Vague Evacuation Plan Sugarland Named In Four Lawsuits "Tough Decision" To Make In Stage Compensation State Wants Stage Collapse Lawsuit Dismissed Class Action Lawsuit Filed Over Stage Disaster Another Lawsuit Possible In Stage Collapse 9 Days Later, Seventh Stage Victim Dies Injuries Claim Life of Sixth Stage Collapse Victim Sugarland Returns To Stage Daniels: Investigation Will Be Thorough Sugarland Plan Memorial Show, Resuming Tour Agencies Investigating Cause Of Stage Collapse Sugarland Gives Statement On Indiana State Fair Witness Describes State Fair Tragedy Five Die, Dozens Hurt In State Fair Stage Collapse
