God spared Sugarland, but crushed many of their fans:

Prayer circle saved Sugarland from stage collapse

Band was standing together backstage as 70 mph winds toppled set

Chris Pizzello  /  AP file Kristian Bush and Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland were about to go on stage at the Indiana State Fair when their stage manager looked at the sky and held them backstage to hold a prayer circle, possibly saving their lives.

Call it a twist of fate or luck.

Whatever it was, members of Sugarland can thank stage manager Hellen Rollens for saving their lives by making a spur-of-the-moment decision to hold a prayer circle just before the stage collapsed last Saturday at the Indiana State Fair.

Looks like God was listening. Here's what happened.

MORE: Five Dead at Indiana State Fair Collapse at Sugarland Gig
 

Sugarland's manager, Gail Gellman, credited Rollens with keeping the country pop duo from walking down the ramp at the last second, just as a 70 mph gust of wind from an approaching storm caused the stage to topple over onto the crowd, killing five fans and injuring dozens of others.

"Everybody was standing in a prayer circle getting ready to go onstage, and [as Rollens] was walking down the ramp, the stage fell. So her decision to hold them for literally a minute saved every band member and crew's life," Gellman told the Associated Press.

She added that while others backstage felt it was fine for the band to begin their set, it was Rollens' instincts that made the difference between life and possible death.

Story: Sugarland tweets condolences after stage collapse

As their rig came crashing down, Sugarland and crew ducked for cover near a wall to avoid the crushing metal. Luckily, they walked away unscathed and regrouped a little later by their tour bus.

"There was no running out anywhere. No one knew what happened. It was just the moment when your eyes get big," the manager added.

While the severe weather demolished the set for their Incredible Machine tour, a shaken Sugarland has decided to soldier on with the trek.

The pair canceled their Sunday performance at the Iowa State Fair, but according to Gellman they're "hoping and preparing" for their gig in Albuquerque, N.M. on Thursday.

RELATED: Sugarland Makes Nice With Lost Member

Following the tragedy, Sugarland tweeted fans letting them know they were "all right" and were "praying for our fans, and the people of Indianapolis."

Soon after, the band's Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush each posted a statement on their blog offering their deep condolences to the victims.

"Our fans just came to see a show, and it ended in something terrible. My heart is totally broken for the families and friends of those who lost their lives. It's broken for all the people who got hurt, for the people who were scared," wrote Bush. "I thank God for every person who lifted a truss, who pushed against that metal to get it off someone; for every person who used a chair as a stretcher. I thank God for every fan and emergency responder, for everyone who ran to the trouble instead of away from it. The courage of those men and women will forever be with me."

In another statement released today, Sugarland revealed that it's in the process of "planning a private memorial in Indiana to honor those fans who died," one that will take place, however, after the families have had "time to go through their own services and memorial."

The group noted that the show in Albuquerque will go on as scheduled.

"This Incredible Machine is more than a tour and more than a set," the statement added. "We have always celebrated music as a Healer. While music cannot change the events and losses at the Indiana State Fair, it can hopefully serve as a ritual and a balm to provide comfort and facilitate healing in this time of great sorrow."

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/44163198/ns/today-entertainment/#.Tkrapqgpp2A

 

Whatever.. they were lucky.

I live in Indy, not far from the fairgrounds.. it was a spooky night, and those wind**** my house too. I was hearing them and watching the trees bend and hoping it wouldn't take any of them over. It lasted a couple mins at most. Just glad they girded the rigging so it fell sideways and not forward or more than 5 would have been killed.. The rigging was never meant to withstand those kind of winds.. and I do believe they were straight line winds. Unpredictable **** happens with the weather here.. not just tornadoes.

I also live in the Indy.area.  We were at the Drive In Theater across town.  Those winds were fierce.  It kicked up a duststorm that I haven't seen outside of the western states.  Our car shook.

It didn't last long, thank goodness, I was afraid the movie screens were going to topple.  Then we heard about the fairgrounds.

The news is saying that another disaster just like it has happened in Belgium - a stage toppled during an outdoor concert.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14582448

You're right - the weather here is extremely unpredictable.  I agree that they were straight line winds.

Just another reason I hate country music...but I am glad they are ok. : )

Well! I am just glad that god took the time out of his busy day of smiting and destructing and being a vengeful god and all and saved these singers. I'm sure they are more important than say, starving babies,  sick people, the elderly,  climate change, unemployment. and global unrest.  Good thing god has his priorities in order.  It's a freaking miracle, can I get an amen!

AMEN!

Beautiful post. You nailed it. Just how incredibly stupid are these people who believe in such obvious fairy tales???

 

Jim Jefferies - Religion www.youtube.com

Wow... full of themselves much?  I doubt their music has healing powers just like I doubt it was more than just dumb luck that they weren't on stage when it collapsed.

I'm sure the families of those that died are not thinking oh thank god sugarland was saved because they were praying.  To me it seems just like sugarland is trying to capitalize on being there when it all happened. PFFT

It kind of reminds me in the movie Jennifer's body when the bar burns down during a concert and the band (who by the way sacrificed who they thought was a virgin to satan...who would think that about megan fox, honestly) then  uses the horrible tragedy to become famous rockstars. *shrugs*

Reminds me of when the miners were rescued and everyone was thanking God...Nevermind God let the mine collapse on them to begin with...

Hell, it just reminds me of all their ridiculous logic....lol.