Despite rumors, favorite country duo Sugarland are not breaking up.

"Jennifer and I are not finished making records. We know that," Kristian Bush says, dispelling the gossip. The pair's last single, 'Tonight,' was released in 2011, and the last time a Sugarland song cracked the  Top 10 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart was in 2010 with 'Stuck Like Glue.'

Since then, Nettles has taken on the role of coach/judge on ABC's 'Duets,' gotten married and is expecting a baby any day now. Sugarland wrapped their In Your Hands Tour together in mid-August.

"We're excited that this [is] a great time to take a little bit of a breather because she's got to figure out being a mom," Bush tells the Boot. "We've been on the road for a very long time, so there's no reason we shouldn't take a little time off. You've got to give people space to be a parent. I'm a parent and I know what kind of adjustment that has been for me."

He adds of Nettles, "I love her more than anything in the world, and I will do whatever it takes to make sure her life adjusts so she can become the best possible mom she can be."

Meanwhile, Bush has been concentrating on his own songwriting and collaborating with numerous artists. The quiet half of Sugarland has penned tunes for upcoming releases by Jaida Dreyer and Boys Like Girls. "It's a big pop song, but I play mandolin on it so it has this flavor of country on it," Bush says of the latter.

The intensely creative period has taken Bush to other countries in search of new musical inspirations. "I've been seeking out those people who are masters of their craft," he explains. "I have a lot to learn, and one of the places that I went seeking that knowledge and experience was Sweden. There's a huge history of Swedish pop production, from ABBA to all the way to the most recent Taylor Swift song. One of the things I was interested in is that they have this great command of this beautiful, easy melody."

Sugarland's Nettles and Bush will reunite onstage on Thursday (Nov. 1) for a performance during the CMA Awards, which will air live on ABC starting at 8PM ET.

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