Category Archives: Darius Rucker

As the frontman of Hootie & the Blowfish, Darius Rucker changed the face of mainstream pop/rock in the mid-’90s. songs like “Hold My Hand” and “Only Wanna Be with You” peppered Hootie & the Blowfish’s popular debut, which eventually sold over 16 million units and became one of the most successful copies of all time. Hootie & the Blowfish never revisited that meteoric success again, however, and the lineup took a break from recording after the release of Musical Chairs in 1998. Rucker used his free time wisely and launched a solo career, which allowed the vocalist to explore his rhythm & blues and country influences.

Born and raised in Charleston, SC, Rucker was exposed to the sounds of Otis Redding, Al Green, and Gladys Knight at an early age. Those rhythm & blues icons helped reputation Hootie & the Blowfish’s recordings, all of which emphasized Rucker’s soulful baritone, but it wasn’t until the singer’s solo career that he truly paid homage to the sounds of his youth. Rucker planned to jump-start his solo career with The Return of Mongo Slade, which was slated for a summer 2001 release by Atlantic Records, but contractual changes prevented the album’s release. A few months later, Rucker jumped ship for Hidden Beach Recordings, which then earned the master recordings of his debut from Atlantic.

After making a cameo in the Farrelly brothers’ movie Shallow Hal, Rucker connected his mellow, R&B-influenced style with 2002’s Back to Then, which featured collaborations with Jill Scott and Snoop Dogg. Rucker then came back his attention to Hootie & the Blowfish, releasing two units with the ensemble while the early 2000s, before revisiting his solo career. This time, he opted for a country approach, and the twangy Learn to Live found an appropriate home among country music fans (who sent both the record and its flagship single, “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It,” to the top of the Billboard country charts).

Country Stars Honor Former President

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McEntire, Brooks, Paisley, Underwood and Others Perform to Honor Former President George H. W. Bush In an upcoming celebration, some of Country Music’s brightest stars are set to perform including Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks,Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker and Carrie Underwood. The event will also include other stars like Sheryl Crow, and Kid Rock, with more performances to be announced later. The event has been organized by The Points of Light Institute to honor the leadership of former President George H. W. Bush in the American service movement, and to highlight the role voluntary service plays in the betterment of our families and communities nationwide. Former presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush are scheduled to attend as well as President Barack Obama, bringing five of America’s presidents together in the same venue for the first time since President Obama’s inauguration in 2008. The celebration will be taped live on March 21st at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington D.C., and will air Monday, March 28th on NBC. Text COUNTRY to 22828 to be eligible for exclusive text subscriber giveaways from CountryMusicNewsBlog.com!

Darius Rucker: Charleston, SC 1966

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Darius Rucker is ready for the release of his new album, Charleston SC 1966 which hits store shelves next Tuesday. Darius Rucker is holding onto a steady and solid career in country music, and he’s giving credit where credit is due. The new album, titled “Charleston, SC 1966” is his personal tribute to legendary artist Radney Foster. The album’s first single “Comeback Song” is already climbing the charts. You can wait till release day to pick up your copy or pre-order the album through iTunes or Amazon. We here at CMNB want to know what you think of the new material.Country Music Photo Gallery

Darius Rucker: Come Back Song

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Darius Rucker discusses his new single, titled Come Back Song Darius Rucker’s latest release, “Come Back Song” keeps fans coming back for more. Take a look as he discusses the song and what it means to him. If the success from this track is anything near “History in the Making” then Darius is sure to be making his own hit history! [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqXwiSQEJS8] Tell us what you think!Country Music Photo Gallery

Darius Rucker Joins Musicians On Call

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Darius Rucker partners with Musicians on Call for a benefit concert March 3, 2010 Musicians On Call (MOC), a nonprofit dedicated to bringing live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities, is thrilled to announce CMA Best New Artist winner Darius Rucker will join their efforts on Wednesday, February 24th when he visits the latest MOC participating facility, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System’s VA Hospital. In addition, Rucker will host an intimate performance on Wednesday, March 3, 2010, at Hard Rock Cafe Nashville kicking off Hard Rock’s month-long March On Stage campaign benefiting MOC. The benfit will begin at 8 p.m. and feature special guest Jypsi. Tickets for the event, priced from $25-$125, can be purchased at TicketAlternative.com. “I think the Musicians On Call initiative is important because it’s one-on-one contact with patients whose health and recovery can directly be affected by one person’s time and attention,” said Rucker. “Hospitals like the VA are so incredible for recognizing this benefit and incorporating it into their treatment to break up the monotony and improve each patient’s quality of life.” An organization whose mission is to lift patients’ spirits through the healing power of music, MOC has had a presence in Music City since 2007 when it opened its first national chapter—the organization is based in New York. MOC’s Executive Director, Dr. Leslie Faerstein, said, “We’re honored to be the recipient of March On Stage and grateful for the longstanding support of Hard Rock International. Nashville has always been a city near and dear to our hearts. With Darius Rucker lending his talent and support, this year’s benefit — in the intimate setting of the newly refurbished Hard Rock Cafe — promises to be a very special evening.” March on Stage, a global live music series featuring high-caliber, iconic and emerging artists, is an annual, month-long philanthropic initiative created by Hard Rock International. Hard Rock will donate a portion of the proceeds from its March on Stage events in North America to MOC. Proceeds from a collectible March on Stage pin, as well as a series of live music events at Hard Rock establishments around the world, will benefit MOC and various charities that focus on healing through music. Visit www.hardrock.com for concert details.Country Music Photo Gallery

Darius Rucker Shines a Light on DonorsChoose

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Darius Rucker has donated his birthday to DonorsChoose.org, an organization that helps individual teachers gain funding for school programs. Darius Rucker has joined in on my absolute favorite charity organization DonorsChoose by creating his very own Birthday Giving Page to help fund public education programs nationwide. For those not familiar with DonorsChoose, I URGE you to go check it out now! From the Press Release: Capital Records Nashville artist Darius Rucker of Hootie & The Blowfish has donated his birthday (tomorrow, May 13) to innovative education charity DonorsChoose.org as part of the The Great Give-Back Birthday. See his birthday giving page here. The new campaign invites individuals to donate their birthdays to support high-need public school classrooms nationwide. Here’s how it works: birthday donors create custom birthday giving pages at www.DonorsChoose.org/Birthday, then select their favorite classroom projects submitted by public school teachers, and then invite friends and family to donate to those projects in honor of their birthdays. To date, donors have funded over $30 million worth of materials for nearly 2 million students across the country at DonorsChoose.org. At DonorsChoose.org, teachers submit projects proposals for materials and experiences their students – many low-income – need to learn. These ideas become classroom reality when everyday citizens choose projects to fund. In addition to Rucker, Stephen Colbert has also donated his birthday to DonorsChoose.org. Country Music Photo Gallery