Darius Rucker

American singer-songwriter

Darius Rucker, the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Hootie & the Blowfish, has had a diverse musical career. After the band’s success, he transitioned to a solo country music career, becoming the first Black artist to win the New Artist Award from the Country Music Association.

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About the Darius Rucker

Darius Carlos Ruckeris an American singer, musician, and songwriter. He first gained fame as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of rock band Hootie & the Blowfish, which he founded in 1986 at the University of South Carolina along with Mark Bryan, Jim “Soni” Sonefeld, and Dean Felber. The band released five studio albums with Rucker as a member and charted six top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Rucker co-wrote most of the songs with the other members of the band.

His debut studio album, an R&B record titled Back to Thenwas released through Hidden Beach Recordings. Six years later, Rucker signed to Capitol Nashville as a country singer and released his second album, Learn to Livereached number 31 on the US Billboard 200. His sixth album, Southern Stylereached number 6 on the Billboard 200, supported by the singles “Homegrown Honey” and “Southern Style”. His seventh and eighth studio albums, When Was the Last Timeand Carolyn’s Boyfollowed thereafter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Darius Rucker is an American singer, musician, and songwriter. He first gained fame as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Hootie & the Blowfish, which he founded in 1986 at the University of South Carolina.

Darius Rucker released his debut solo studio album, an R&B record titled ,Back to Then,, in 2002 through Hidden Beach Recordings.

In 2008, Darius Rucker signed to Capitol Nashville as a country singer and released his second album, ,Learn to Live., The first single from the album, ,Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It,, reached number one on the Hot Country Songs chart, making Rucker the first Black artist to achieve this feat since Charley Pride in 1983.

In 2009, Darius Rucker became the first Black American to win the New Artist Award from the Country Music Association, and the second Black person to win any award from the association.

Darius Rucker’s country music discography includes several successful albums, such as ,Charleston, SC 1966, (2010), ,True Believers, (2013), and ,Southern Style, (2014), which have all charted well on the Billboard 200 and produced hit singles.

Darius Rucker’s most recent studio album is ,Carolyn’s Boy,, which was released in 2023.

Darius Rucker’s success in country music, including his number one single and becoming the first Black American to win a major award from the Country Music Association, was a significant milestone for diversity and representation in the genre.

11 Quotes by Darius Rucker

  1. 1.

    We got to do a few things with President Clinton. To be invited to Washington again to play with Ashanti and all those other cool people there in front of President Bush and the rest of the world feels awesome. I’m really looking forward to going.

    Darius Rucker

    American singer-songwriter

  2. 2.

    We can’t thank Dave enough. He could call me if my wife was about to have a baby and tell me he needed tonight for his show and I’d find some way to get her to let me head to New York.

    Darius Rucker

    American singer-songwriter

  3. 3.

    When I was growing up, I always knew that if I ever got anything, I was going to give back as much as I can. I learned that all you have to be willing to do is give your time.

    Darius Rucker

    American singer-songwriter

  4. 4.

    I just wanted to go out and make a record that I’ve always wanted to make since I was a kid.

    Darius Rucker

    American singer-songwriter

  5. 5.

    I don’t think I get the respect as a singer. With this record, I wanted to bring respect to my band.

    Darius Rucker

    American singer-songwriter

  6. 6.

    We raised almost 2 million dollars at the last golf tournament that can be used for minority scholarships and Junior Golf programs. The payoff for the work we do is so much more valuable than the work we actually do for it.

    Darius Rucker

    American singer-songwriter

  7. 7.

    We went to church every Sunday. When I was a kid, the only time I sang was around my family.

    Darius Rucker

    American singer-songwriter

  8. 8.

    Remember the Stax label and how if you liked one record, you liked all the others as well? You don’t talk to a lot of people who tell you how much they love their record label. I don’t care how many records they sell.

    Darius Rucker

    American singer-songwriter

  9. 9.

    It was important to me to find a label that wouldn’t back out after a first single. Everyone’s so used to hearing me with Hootie, they’re going to be skeptical.

    Darius Rucker

    American singer-songwriter

  10. 10.

    When I was in high school, I read all of Neil Simon’s plays.

    Darius Rucker

    American singer-songwriter

  11. 11.

    I’ve known Tiger since he was 18. Tiger is a great guy. I am so happy for him right now.

    Darius Rucker

    American singer-songwriter