Darius Rucker photo courtesy of Capitol Nashville.
July 23, 2008 — As the lead singer for Hootie + The Blowfish, Darius Rucker’s had quite a bit of success on the pop charts. Now he’s done well as a solo singer on the country charts: His debut country single, "Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It," hit the Top 15 this week on the Country Aircheck list.
That achievement comes on the heels of his Grand Ole Opry debut, which took place last week. Plenty of country’s most significant acts have appeared on the Opry stage — from such late legends as Hank Williams and Patsy Cline to current members Dolly Parton and George Jones — and in terms of the Opry’s history? well, don’t think Darius doesn’t think about it.
"To be on the Opry by myself, and standing there and singing songs that I wrote, the hairs stood up on the back of my neck," Darius told the national radio show GAC Nights: Live From Nashville. "I went in for sound check and I had my guitar, and I go in and I’m standing there on that circle and I’m singing. Along with playing with Al Green and playing at the Apollo [in New York], it’s [one of] the three greatest musical moments of my life."
Darius’ country album, Learn To Live, will feature guest appearances by Opry members Vince Gill, Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss.
In the meantime, this Saturday’s GAC airing of Opry Live is an encore presentation of Carrie Underwood’s induction ceremony. It’s telecast at 8 p.m. ET.