Darius Rucker

Darius Rucker’s name is synonymous with one of top-selling bands of all time, Hootie & The Blowfish; the group's landmark Cracked Rear View has sold over 25 million copies world wide, and remains one of the top selling albums of all time. With a range that rivals top vocalists across all genres, it is no surprise that the frontman for that Grammy award-winning pop group is setting out to change the face of music once again with a debut country solo album on Capitol Records Nashville.

With co-writes from country industry leaders such as Rivers Rutherford, Frank Rogers, Dave Berg, Chris DuBois, and Clay Mills, Rucker showcases his rich storytelling capabilities while maintaining a familiarity fans are sure to recognize.

“I don’t think [me making a country album] should surprise anyone,” Rucker says. “I love music and for years I’ve listened to country artists. I mean, I grew up in South Carolina in the ’70s, you know. Some of my favorite memories of being a kid is sitting in front of an AM radio and flipping through stations. You would hear a Stevie Wonder song or something, then hear a commercial so you’d turn the dial...hear a Kiss song, hit another commercial so you’d turn the dial again...and then Buck Owens jumps out at you. His guitar has no bass and the high notes are higher than anything you think you have ever heard. I didn’t know who it was, but I listened to the DJ to find out. I just had to know. I grew up with a mom that let me listen to whatever I wanted to, and a grandmother that loved country music, so it’s just naturally part of my background.”

Rucker says “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It” was an obvious choice for his first single. He recalls, “I really would have been happy with pretty much any of the songs being the first single, but I told Frank Rogers after we finished this song in the studio that this was going to be it...I think the feel, the tempo and the sentiment all had something to do with the decision—and, everybody wants to think that there is someone out there thinking about them, don’t they? I wrote ‘Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It’ with Clay Mills, who was one of the great guys I got to write with on this project; in fact, a few of the songs we wrote together made the record.”

Rucker is thrilled about reaching out to the country audience, a career move he says won’t be short lived. “You know, I’ve been in that little twangy rock cocoon for a while...But now I get to come out and sing these songs. I plan to be doing this for a long time. This isn’t a one album deal—it’s a career thing. Actually, I would like to have fun with this record and then get right back in the studio and start the next! I love working in Nashville.”

June/July 2008—Music Row Awards

Phil Vassar

Phil Vassar took his seat as country music’s leading piano man with the hit songs like “Just Another Day In Paradise” and “Six-Pack Summer...

April/May 2008—In Charge

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift continues to stretch the boundaries of country music, reaching new audiences by popping up in unexpected places, like most recently the covers of...

February/March 2008—CRS Issue

Ashton Shepherd

Ashton Shepherd’s songwriting is as direct as her personality. You won’t hear many “kiss-off” songs with more sass and attitude than her first single...

December 2007/January 2008 — Rewind 07

Laura Bryna

One of the most trying times in Laura Bryna’s life spawned her love of country music and her dream to share it with the world...

October/November 2007—Publisher Issue

Sara Evans

Compiling a greatest hits package is often an occasion of introspection and reflection for an artist. Sara Evans compares the experience with looking back through...

August/September 2007—Artist Roster

Joe Nichols

Just as he sings in the title track to his new album (“I love real things built to last”) Joe Nichols has been steadily building...

June/July 2007— Music Row Awards

Keith Urban

Music Row: Only a few country artists have headlined an international tour, what is it about your music that gives it such wide appeal?...

April 2007—In Charge

Miranda Lambert

When Miranda Lambert began work on her new album, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, she quickly realized that she didn’t want to take her music in a...

February/March 2007

Kellie Pickler

There’s a difference in running from your problems and overcoming them,” says Kellie Pickler, who has had more than her share of tough life experiences...