~Darius Rucker~
Capital Records
Dariusrucker.com is a good source for all things going on with this star
(Photo: billboard.com)
Darius Rucker's career really began with his frontman spot in Hootie and the Blowfish. As a member of the band in the mid-90s, Rucker was one of the most popular frontmen in mainstream pop/rock at the time. Hootie and the Blowfish's first album released in 1995, entitled Cracked Rear View, was extremely well known and eventually sold more than 16 million copies, making it one of the most successful albums of all time. The band never really could recreate the success of the first album, however, and after the release of their 1998 album, Musical Chairs, they decided to take a break from the studio.
As Hootie and a Blowfish as a group came to an end, Rucker took his career the solo route, and explored both R&B and Country influences. Rucker is a true southern boy at heart. He grew up in Charleston South Carolina, listening to Al Green, Otis Redding, and Gladys Knight. These R&B influences were what led to Rucker's soulful baritone sound at the forefront of Hootie and the Blowfish. Rucker worked with mostly his R&B sounds for a few years, and then in 2000, made a return to Hottie and the Blowfish, releasing 2 albums with them, but then returned to his solo career. This time, his country approach came to the forefront.
Rucker's sound quickly found a home among country music fans and the flagship single of his debut album, "Don't think I don't Think About it" soared to the top of the country music billboard charts. Two more of the albums songs reached # 1 on the billboard hits pushing the album to platinum status within its first year of release. Rucker's second country album was just released two years ago in 2010 and is entitled, "Charleston, SC 1966"(CMT.com- Andrew Leahey, Mackenzie Wilson, Rovi) http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/rucker_darius/bio.jhtml
"Don't Think I Don't Think About It" Lyrics:
From 2008 Album, Learn to Live
Songwriters: RUCKER, DARIUS C. / MILLS, CLAY
I left out in a cloud of taillights and dust
Swore I wasn't comin back
Said I'd had eonugh
Saw you in the rear view standin'
Fadin from my life
But I wasn't turnin' round
No not this time
But don't think I don't think about it
Don't think I don't have regrets
Don't think it don't get to me
Between the work and the hurt and the whiskey
Don't think I don't wonder bout
Could've been should've been all worked out
I know what I felt and I know what I said
But don't think I don't think about it
When we make choices
We gotta live with it
Heard you found a real good man and you married him
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/d/darius_rucker/dont_think_i_dont_think_about_it.html ]I wonder if sometime I cross your mind?
Where would we be today of if I never drove that car away?
But don't think I don't think about it
Don't think I don't have regrets
Don't think it don't get to me
Between the work and the hurt and the whiskey
Don't think I don't wonder bout
Could've been should've been all worked out
Yeah I know what I felt and I know what I said
But don't think I don't think about it
But don't think I don't think about it
Don't think I don't have regrets
Don't think you don't get to me
Between the work and the hurt and the whiskey
Don't think I don't wonder bout
Could've been should've been all worked out
I know what I felt and I know what I said
But don't think I don't think about it
No no
Don't think I don't
Don't think I don't
Watch the "Don't Think I Don't Think About It" Music Video HERE:
(Photo: Capitolnashville.com)
One concern that I have with doing a presentation on Darius Rucker as a country musician is that he has explored so many genres of music throughout his career. Because of this, it may e difficult to pin down his exact country sound or "authenticity". I do however believe that Rucker's country career has been extremely sucessful and I think I can make a good argument as to why he is an authentic country artist as well as explore the path he made from rock/pop to R&B to country artist and explore why he has remained in country up to the present. I also think that Rucker being one of the only, and surely the most successful African American country artist of the past decade and perhaps even longer will be a very interesting and unique aspect to delve into and gain more knowledge on. (his first hit, Dont think I dont think about it, made him the first African American to chart number one on the hot country charts since Charley Bride in 1953. Also in 2009, he became the first African American to win the New Artist Award from the CMA (Country Music Association) ,and the second African American to win any award at all from the Association.
As far as working with other musicians, Rucker tends to cowrite many of his songs (he especially did this early on in his country career). He had musicians who play various instruments on stage with him but advertises himself as a solo artist.
Rucker has faced some hardship in his career as far as being accepted by fellow country musicians as well as fand because of his varied beginnings. Also, being African American and a country singer has also given him some flack as the two generally dont go hand in hand. He has acknowledged though that he knows he is the new kid on the block. Many felt that when Rucker entered the country music scene having had earlier success in the rock/pop realm with Hottie and the Blowfish, that he would feel some sort of entitlement. They were met with surprise, however, as Rucker was so humbled when his song "Don't Think I Don't Think About I" went to number 1 that he cried. (biography.com)
Darius hosted his third annual fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in June 2012. He calls the event "Darius and Friends" and holds the fundraiser in Nashville during the CMA Music Fest. The two-part fundraiser, which is sponsored by GAC (Great American Country), includes a celebrity golf tournament, and a concert later that evening which features many popular country artists each year. 100 percent of the ticket sales are donated to further St. Jude's mission of providing great care to children with cancer and other diseases at no cost to their families. Rucker's three concerts alone have helped raise over $100,000 for the cause. (musicrow.com)
Links to find out More:
Rucker also supports Victorty Junction
And is also a big supporter of US troops:
hw shows his appreciation by performing for troops overseas and by letting everyone know of ways they can support like through programs like Opperation Gratitude. He has also partnered with AOL's "You've got" campaign to encourage American's support for the armed forces.
Visit AOLheroes.com to learn more about how YOU can join the cause.
In Current News:
Rucker is currently half way through his tour with Lady Antebellum and Thompson Square.
“It’s so much fun for me being out with Lady Antebellum. They’re huge and doing so well. We’re playing big places, selling them out and having a good time,” he said.
(Dariusrucker.com)
(Photo by Rick Diamond/ Getty Images for Capitol Records)
Blog Citations:
Darius Rucker.com. sparkart group. http://www.dariusrucker.com/home (accessed September 30, 2012)
Eric Parker. Darius Rucker Sets Date for Annual St. Jude Fundraiser. April 18, 2012. Music Row. http://www.musicrow.com/2012/04/darius-rucker-sets-date-for-annual-st-jude-fundraiser/ (Accessed September 30, 2012)
CMT Get Country. Darius Rucker Biography. CMT.com/artists. http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/rucker_darius/bio.jhtml (Accessed September 30, 2012)
For someone who does not follow him and only knows Darius Ruckers’ hits, the photos, video, and lyrics really strengthen this post. They really gave a face to the artist and helped me understand the matter and argument a lot better. Apart from visually, Kelsi also does a good job of providing a thorough background. I thought it was great how she brought up the fact that Darius Rucker, as a multi genre artist, both strengthens and weakens the argument towards his authenticity. Her facts were plentiful and strong and gave me an understanding of who Darius Rucker is both as a person and an artist. I really enjoyed how Kelsi incorporated personal facts, such as his involvement in charity and his being an African American country star. Lastly, I also enjoyed how she added Darius Ruckers’ current whereabouts as a closing statement.
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