Darius Rucker fulfills life-long dream
Wednesday, July 2, 2008 – Darius Rucker is about to fulfill a life-long dream - he's going to play the Grand Ole Opry July 15.
"When I was asked if I wanted to perform on the Grand Ole Opry, I yelled, 'Are you kidding me?" said the front man of Hootie & the Blowfish. "I've been waiting for that my whole life. To be invited where so many of the greatest country artists have performed is an honor, and I still can't believe it has been bestowed on me."
One of the songs that Rucker will perform on the Opry is his debut single for Capitol Records Nashville, "Don't Think I Don't Think About It." His first album for the label, the Frank Rogers-produced "Learn to Live," will be released this fall.
More news for Darius Rucker
- 04/26/24: Rucker reworks "Never Been Over" with Nettles
- 02/01/24: Rucker arrested on minor drug charges
- 10/27/23: Rucker teams up with Dax
- 10/23/23: CMA surprises Rucker with Humanitarian Award
- 10/06/23: Old Dominion, Rucker, Reba release new projects
- 09/05/23: Rucker unveils "Fires Don't Start Themselves" video
- 03/13/23: Rucker returns to the road
- 11/04/22: Rucker announces "Carolyn's Boy"
CD reviews for Darius Rucker
Darius Rucker has referenced his South Carolina roots numerous times in his career, but his first solo release in six years is a more direct tribute to his late mother, Carolyn, and not just in the title. Raised on church music, soul singers and country songs at home growing up, Rucker includes more than a hint of each here.
"Old Church Hymn," featuring Chapel Hart, evokes those childhood Sunday mornings in the pews, in a deep gospel tone that blossoms into an organ-driven, rousing singalong. ...
Darius Rucker is so darn likeable, he likely gets away with creating subpar music more than most. However, "When Was the Last Time" is a consistently good album, which is as respectable as it is likeable.
Rucker knows how to sing crowd pleasers, like the fun and funny "Count the Beers" and the all-star collaboration "Straight to Hell," which also features Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Charles Kelley. He shines brightest, though, on the more serious songs. ...
Although opener "Homegrown Honey" has a few hip-hip sonic elements fueling it, "Southern Style" is a fairly traditional - well, as traditional as Darius Rucker can get - album. "Homegrown Honey," along with the title cut and "Half Full Dixie Cup," make a play for Rucker's Southern credentials, and for the most part support these claims. Rucker is an easygoing vocalist, and this latest effort goes down smoothly.
It's still taboo for country ...
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