March 19, 2024

Darius Rucker

July 12, 2009
A Little Bit Country
Hootie frontman Darius Rucker
gets his cowboy hat on

By Rick Coates 7/13/09
 
Vocalist Darius Rucker enjoyed more than 20 years of success as the front
man for Hootie & The Blowfish, their album Cracked Rear View is tied with
The Beatles 1967-1970 as the 11th bestselling album of all time in the
United States.
But now, Rucker is throwing in the rock towel, sort of, for a fresh one,
taking on the world of country music.
He will appear at the Leelanau Sands Casino Showroom (north of Suttons
Bay) on Thursday, July 16 on the heels of his first country CD, Learn To
Live, that debuted at number one on the Billboard Country Charts last year
and has produced two number one hits in “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About
It,” and “It Won’t Be Like This for Long.” His current single, “Alright,”
has climbed to the number six spot on the country singles charts.
For fans of the successful ‘90s crooner, it might come as a surprise that
Rucker has switched from pop/rock to country.
“I have been a country music fan my whole life -- grew up listening to
guys like Buck Owens -- the traditional country guys,” said Rucker. “I
know country music has changed over the years and has more of a pop feel
to it these days, but I grew up with the old-school stuff.”
 
TRADITIONAL COUNTRY
It might seem like a natural for Rucker to crossover from pop to country
and write and sing songs that had a pop appeal to them.
“Actually, I wasn’t sure if anyone would even sign me to do this. When
Capital did I was surprised that they were hands-off, especially when I
told them I was looking to make more of a traditional country album,
versus something that would have pop appeal to it,” said Rucker. “They
were very supportive and I am happy that my rock fans and my new fans in
country music embraced this.”
When Rucker reached number one last year on the country charts, he became
the first African-American in 25 years to reach first place since Charley
Pride.
 “When I decided to make this album, which has been in the back of my mind
for probably 10 plus years, I wasn’t thinking about the cultural
significance of it. I just wanted to make a country album,” said Rucker.
“All of a sudden people start putting me in the same category as Ray
Charles and Charley Pride, and that is pretty special, so I started paying
attention to this CD from a different perspective.”
 
WHAT ABOUT HOOTIE?
Will there be a Hootie & the Blowfish in the future?
“First of all, this is not a one-shot-and-done CD in the world of country
music. I see myself making several,” said Rucker. “The guys in the band
have been very supportive; they have side projects as well. We are still
honoring our four charity events and we just performed at our 15th Annual
Monday After The Masters (charity golf event and concert after the Masters
Tournament) event. So Hootie & The Blowfish is still out there and at some
point after I make a couple of more country CDs we will probably record
and tour again. Look, we have been on the road for a long time and I think
this is a great break for all of us.”
Rucker has been surprised by the reception he has received from country
radio and sees one big difference between country and rock radio.
“I have 20-plus program director’s phone numbers at country stations and I
call in to check in with them all the time and they call me. This is not
something we did with rock radio,” said Rucker. “I know why a lot of
people who start out with pop music gravitate to country, because they
know it’s where you can find songs.”
Rucker further explains.  
“I want people to take away a sense of realness. I want everybody to find
a song on this CD that they can relate to and go, ‘Wow, I did that, too.’

 
NO MORE BOOTY CALLS
So does Rucker see a difference in writing country songs versus rock ballads?
“I am 43 and I realized that I am not going to be writing songs about
drinking, chasing girls, or booty calls anymore,” said Rucker. “I look at
this CD as a journey. As I look forward, I see my songs about where my
life is headed; they may be country songs or they may be rock songs.”
Despite his star status, jumping genres meant starting at the bottom and
returning to clubs.
“I don’t see it that way. I love playing clubs, even after our success we
(Hootie & The Blowfish) played clubs,” said Rucker. “Clubs offer that
intimate opportunity to connect to the audience.”
One of the highlights for Rucker was having a few country legends join him
on his solo debut.
 “It was amazing to have people like Vince Gill, Brad Paisley and Allison
Krauss on this CD. With Vince it wasn’t planned, my producer (Frank
Rogers) saw him working out at the gym and asked him to come down and he
did. That’s how it works in Nashville. Add Allison Krauss to the song (“If
I Had Wings”) and it was like having a couple of angels singing with me,”
said Rucker. “Brad Paisley also plays on the CD and I have been touring
with him.”
 
Darius Rucker will perform Thursday July 16 at the Leelanau Sands
Showroom. For additional information on Rucker and to listen to a sampling
of his country works visit dariusrucker.com and to purchase tickets call
the box office at 231-534-8151. 



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