Darius Rucker Biography, Life, Interesting Facts

Darius Carlos Rucker is an American singer and songwriter. He established the American Rock Band Hootie & the Blowfish in 1986.

Early Life

Darius Carlos Rucker was born on May 13, 1966, in Charleston, South Carolina, US. His single mother, Carolyn was a nurse at the Medical University of South Carolina.

She looked after Rucker and three daughters and two sons. The family was economically weak and were living in a small house. Singing was a fashion for Rucker.

Career

Darius Rucker came to limelight as a lead vocalist and as the guitarist of the American rock band Hootie & Blowfish which he established in 1986 at the University of South Carolina. He has announced five studio records and top six sensations on the Billboard Hot 100. Rucker scripted many of the songs along with three other members. He sang a Hootie song “Drowning” for which he received death threats.

Rucker and Felber shifted their residence to Columbia, South Carolina. He had many opportunities given his reputation. He was asked to sing the National Anthem in 1995 at the World Series. He was also invited to perform at the 80th birthday of Frank Sinatra. He sang “The Lady Is a Tramp.”The same week, he lent his voice to sitcom Friends.

He sang with Nanci Griffith on the music “Gulf Coast Highway” for the album Blue Roses from the Moons. He helped Edwin McCain to sign a contract with Atlantic Records. Also, appeared as a guest in the premiere of McCain album, Honor Among Thieves.

He created his single album R&B in 2001. His premiere was The Return of Mongo Slade for Atlantic Records. This was released in 2002 for some practical difficulties through Hidden Beach Recordings.

Darius Rucker participated on a pop-star version of the ‘quiz show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?’ in 2001. He represented a singing cowboy in a TV commercial and promoted Tender Crisp sandwich for Burger King in 2005. In 2006, Rucker lent his voice for the film The Still Life.

He entered into a contract with Capitol Records Nashville in 2008. This was his start of the country music. Rucker made a solo single “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About it’. It was #51 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs. His premiere ‘Grand Ole Opry’ attained #1 and he was the first African-American to reach the top country song.

Rucker’s recording “Learn to Live” achieved the gold by the Recording Industry Association of America in 2009. He was also awarded the platinum certificate in 2009. Another single, ‘It Won't Be Like This for Long’ was also #1 in 2009. His another single, “Alright” also reached the top #1. Thus, he became the first soloist to achieve three singles to reach #1. His fourth single, ‘History in the Making’ hit the Billboard Hot 100 and rated high.

Darius Rucker's career as a country singer had its opposition.

He announced his second country album, Charleston, SC 1966 in 2010. He wrote the single, ‘Come to Back Song’ along with his friends Charis Stapleton and Casey Beathard. This song also reached #1, and it was Rucker’s fourth to achieve no.1 and No.37 on Hot 100. He released other singles ‘This’ in 2010, ‘I Got Nothin’, a double ‘I Don’t Care.’The reviews of Charleston SC, 1966 were good and awarded the gold certification

Rucker, in 2011, spoke to the students of graduating class of Medical University of South Carolina.

He announced his third country album, “True Believers” in 2011. True Believers reached the top at #18. He made many other singles: “Radio” (2013), ‘Miss You’ (2014). Rucker accepted an offer from ‘Grand Ole Opry’ and joined it in 2016.

Rucker was a singer at the C2C: Country to Country celebration in London in March.2017. He sang the National Anthem on the New Year’s Day 2013 at Florida.

Darius Rucker achieved the doctorate of the University of South Carolina in Columbia. He was also invited to sing the National Song at the NBA finals in 2013.

Rucker was awarded Best Country Solo Performance for the 56th Annual GrammyAwards (2013). He was the third African American to achieve the Grammy Award for a vocal recital

He announced a new single, ‘Homegrown Honey’(2014), ‘Southern Style’ (2015), ‘Baby, It's Cold Outside’(2014). Rucker was present on the album ‘Lighter in the Dark’ by Sister Hazel. ‘If I Told You’(2016), C2C: Country to Country festival in the UK (2017), National Anthem at 100th running if the Indianapolis 500’(2016), Buffalo Bills and New York Jets (2016), Saints-Dolphins play (2017)

Rucker was requested to accomplish on ‘Forever Country.’ ‘For the First Time (2017), ‘When Was the Last Time’ (2017)

Personal life

Darius Rucker lost his mother in November 1992. In his grief, he wrote two songs, “I'mGoin’ Home’ and ‘Not Even the Trees.’ Carolyn Pearl Phillips was born in April 1995 to his girlfriend. His second daughter, Daniella Rose was born in May 2001 to his wife, Beth. Jack was born to them in 2005.

He wrote a song, “Where Were You” about his father. He also wrote a musical, “Alright” about his marriage. He sang at the wedding of his golfer friend Tiger Woods whom he had met when he was 18. Rucker was a guest of honor at the 2016 Ryder Cup. He worked freely for golfers.

He featured in an event “Celebrity Undercover Boss: Darius Rucker” as a music teacher. He is an admirer of South Carolina Gamecocks, as also Miami Dolphins and Cincinnati Reds. He performed free for his alma mater.

Awards

Darius Rucker has received numerous awards:

Grammy Awards (1995) (2014); Country Music Association Awards(1995)(2012)(2013); Academy of Country Music Awards(2009)(2018); American Music Awards (2009); CMT Music Awards (2011) (2016) (2017); Academy of Country Music Awards(2013);Billboard Music Awards(2014); British Country Music Association Awards (2015)