Darius Rucker won’t be playing with Hootie & the Blowfish anytime soon. The singer said in a podcast interview that past reunions happened because fans wanted them, but he didn’t.
“Every time I played with Hootie, in ’19 and two years ago, it’s because I thought the fans wanted it,” Darius Rucker said. “It’s not because I wanted to. I wasn’t dying to go play with Blowfish. I wasn’t dying to take a huge pay cut, but, you know, the fans wanted it.”
The band won’t get back together for years after their Stagecoach show next spring and Windy City Smokeout in July. “We won’t play again anytime soon,” he said. “If we play again, I’ll be well into my 60s.”
Rucker started as the lead singer for Hootie & the Blowfish before switching to country music on his own. The band got back together in 2019 and toured, and they played shows again two years ago.
His next country album is almost done. Rucker is spending time with Howl Owl Howl, a supergroup that recently released a single and wrapped up a tour. Mike Mills from R.E.M. plays in this group, and so does Steve Gorman, who used to drum for The Black Crowes. You can buy tickets and see concert dates at Hootie & the Blowfish’s website.
Darius Rucker is facing charges for the possession of drugs after he was arrested in Tennessee on Thursday.
The 57-year-old singer was arrested on two misdemeanour counts of simple possession/casual exchange of a controlled substance and one misdemeanour count of a violation of Tennessee’s vehicle registration law, reports People, but authorities did not name the controlled substance.
He was released Thursday after posting US$10,500 bond.
Police did not say what led to the arrest of the Hootie & the Blowfish lead singer, but TMZ, who first reported the arrest, alleged Rucker had expired tags on his car.
It feels like it’s been forever since I’ve graced everyone with a new batch of fresh music…but like all inevitable things in life- love, loss, aging- I’m here again. Call me persistent, call me determined, call me relentless- I will not give up on finding new music worth listening to every single Friday.
I am overtly excited to share all of these tracks, spanning all different genres to give you a little taste of everything…because what’s a good playlist if not all over the place? Riddled with exciting beats, refreshing sounds, and unique vocals, the first week of November is proving to be one of the best weeks we’ve had for music in a while.
With your Spotify Wrapped being slowly curated, you can wait in anticipation by discovering all these new artists and songs! How convenient. You’re very welcome.
We don’t have time to waste, so let’s get listening!
Victoria Justice, Toby Gad- “Big Girls Don’t Cry”
Toby Gad is a collaborative genius- co-writing mega-hits like Beyonce’s “If I Were a Boy”, Demi Lovato’s “Skyscraper”, and John Legend’s “All Of Me”. He’s working on re-creating his extensive repertoire by recording piano versions…his latest installment being Fergie’s “Big Girls Don’t Cry”, accompanied by famed singer-actress Victoria Justice.
Justice’s strong vocals and ability to belt make her the perfect touch to Gad’s already iconic writing. When re-imagining music, you want to make it uniquely your own. Which is why Justice and Gad put such a refreshing, soothing approach on the song that makes it unlike anything you’ve heard before.
Conan Gray- “Killing Me”
Conan Gray’s gentle tone yearns to move on in “Killing Me”, his latest track about being unable to move on from those relationships that are toxic. The hold they have on you remains, but you can’t seem to find any more redeemable qualities that keep you around. Those relationships feel like they’re killing you, and Conan Gray has a special way of putting it into words.
“I wrote “killing me” while I was sick with the flu. It was a miserable time where I was both physically sick, but also super heartbroken over somebody. Hence, ‘you’re KILLING me.’ I think we all have those people who don’t treat us nearly well enough, but we just can’t seem to let them go. People who call you at 2AM, and who you know you shouldn’t pick up……but you do. “Killing Me” is for when you’re on your last limb begging this person to just please stop torturing your heart.”
ericdoa- “dancinwitsomebawdy”
At age 21, you wouldn’t expect ericdoa to be as experienced and talented at creating a hit track…but he is, and that’s what makes him a juggernaut in the hyperpop, rap scene. He blends genres into one that just makes sense, which “dancingwithsomebawdy” is an example of. The track gets us ready for a new album in the new year, “dancingwithsomebawdy” is both a thrill to listen to and a promise of what’s to come.
“I missed a lot of childhood being in meetings, obsessing over trying to be this artist that I wanted to become,” he says. “I really lost the freeing, adolescent feeling of just creating whatever I wanted.”
ROSIE- “It’s Not Christmas”
The first holiday song on our Weekend Playlists! It was inevitable, but ROSIE’s is a beautiful encapsulation of what it’s like to miss someone during the holiday season. We know it as a time of celebration and to be around family, but don’t often consider what it may be like for those missing a person. A pleasant reminder to stay positive, ROSIE delivers a heart-warming holiday track.
“It’s Not Christmas” is about missing someone during the holiday season. Although this time of year is full of joy and magic for some, it can be extremely difficult for others, so I wrote a song for anyone who needs a reminder that’s it’s okay to be sad, even on Christmas!”
Dax ft. Darius Rucker- “To Be A Man”
Nigerian-Canadian country rapper Dax has a way of molding country music into its own, special sound. Pairing up with hit country singer, Darius Rucker, makes “To Be A Man” even better thanks to his smooth sound that can complement anyone’s vocals. The track instantly went viral on Instagram, which makes sense due to its empowering, uplifting lyrics that hit home with any listener.
It’s an introspective, honest track that encourages you to look inside and acknowledge when you need help as well. It’s a look into mental health, the struggles we go through, and what it means to “be a man.”
Zoe Ko- Baby Teeth
When you listen to Zoe Ko’s EP, Baby Teeth, you’ll get notes of pop-rock princesses like Gwen Stefani during her No Doubt days, Olivia Rodrigo, and maybe even a hint of Paramore in there. You’ll hear her cutting edge, witty lyrics and lilting voice that hits every note just right, and want even more from her.
Baby Teeth consists of five tracks to give you the perfect sampling of who Zoe Ko is as an artist: honest, funny, and edgy. In the world of Zoe Ko, there is something satisfying about the guitar riffs and confidence that exudes from this EP. She’s one to watch in the industry for sure.
Sammy Virji- “If U Need It”
Sammy Virji is on fire lately, “If U Need It” is the perfect track to go out and dance to. It’s got the makings of a staple on your going out playlist: a hook that makes you want to sing, a beat that makes you want to dance, and the innovativeness to sound fresh and new every time you hear it. “If U Need It” has it all.
Known for his risk-taking with his music, Sammy Virji is proving that he’s a name to be remembered in electronic dance music. We can’t wait to see what comes next, knowing that he delivers time after time.
Joy (Anonymous)- Cult Classics
Joy Anonymous is here with their vital collection of tracks essential for a night on the dance floor. With all tracks technically (and cleverly) titled “JOY”, you’re getting what is considered Joy Anonymous to their core. It’s a bold mix of disco, house, soul, and classic EDM that works perfectly.
“Cult Classics is the soundtrack of Joy Anonymous meetings over the past two years. It began in Imogen Heap’s house in Romford. Where we spent two weeks working with various friends and new collaborators to form the skeletons of what was to become the album you hear today. Then we took these sounds on tour and tested them out in meetings around the world, honing and developing the sound on the move. Joy Anonymous is a movement where people feel included and feel safe to share expression and emotion. We have tried to capture that in the sound, process, and delivery of this album.”
Take That- “This Life”
Gearing up to release their ninth studio album as a band, Take That shares the second single from their upcoming album, Brand New Sun. “This Life” is a showcasing of Take That- their vocals, their band, and their production skills all display their expertise in the industry. It’s polished, well-rounded, and a sign that Take That has it all figured out.
“It’s been a wonderful experience being back in the studio together making this record.It has that feeling of spreading your wings, letting out the old and bringing in the new” commented the band. ‘We’re incredibly proud of the new album – there’s a sense oftogetherness, whether that’s us coming back together as a band or people wantingconnection in their own lives. We’re excited for this new chapter!”
“Today” show anchor, Craig Melvin, presented Darius Rucker with the RIAA Diamond certification honor … [+] for Wagon Wheel, Record Producer Frank Rogers, Darius Rucker, and UMG Nashville Chairman/CEO Mike Dungan
Credit: Steve Lowry
Fellow songwriters, musicians, and industry executives gathered in downtown Nashville to celebrate Darius Rucker’s latest No. 1 hit, “Beers and Sunshine.”
Written by Rucker, Josh Osborne, Ross Copperman, and J.T. Harding – the song mark’s Rucker’s tenth single to go all the way to the top of the country music charts.
They recalled how they wrote the song in the early months of the COVID pandemic. Nashville songwriting sessions typically involve writers physically gathering together in a writing room, but during COVID, everyone was forced to take a different approach and brainstorm via Zoom calls.
“We got on Zoom and it was weird, but also so much fun,” Rucker recalled, “because Zoom is no-nonsense. When you get together in a writing room, you sit around, you talk about your kids, you talk about what’s going on, and you take 40 minutes before you start writing. Not on Zoom. On Zoom it’s like, ‘Let’s write the song!’”
“Beers And Sunshine” songwriters celebrate reaching No. 1. (Josh Osborne, Ross Copperman, Darius … [+] Rucker and J.T. Harding. (Harding wore the Dolphins sweater as a nod to Rucker, a well-known Miami Dolphins fan)
Credit: Steve Lowry
He says after they wrote “Beers and Sunshine,” they knew it was something special.
“And then, Ross (Copperman) went out of his way to record this whole record on Zoom. Nobody was ever in the room together. Ross would get the drummer to play, then he’d get the bass player to play, and when everything was done, he got my vocals over Zoom.”
“Beers and Sunshine” may be the first song written and recorded on Zoom to reach No. 1 on the country charts.
Rucker seems bent on making history. “Beers and Sunshine” follows other chart-toppers like “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It,” “It Won’t Be Like This for Long,” and “Alright,” just to name a few.
He says it’s almost hard to believe how far he’s come as a country artist.
Darius Rucker celebrates ten No. 1 hits country hits.
Credit: Pam Windsor
“It’s pretty exciting. Because not really expecting much from the beginning, then having success out of the box and now 16 years later, ten No. 1’s. That’s pretty amazing.”
And now, his mega-hit “Wagon Wheel” has officially sold more than 11 million copies (streaming and sales combined). It’s still selling so fast, label executives didn’t have a chance to commemorate reaching RIAA Diamond status (which is 10 million copies), before it sold an additional one million.
NBC “Today Show” anchor Craig Melvin, a friend of Rucker’s and a fellow South Carolina-native, traveled to Nashville to mark the occasion.
“When they said Darius had achieved something with “Wagon Wheel,” that only four songs in the history of country music had achieved, I was like, I’ve got to be there. This is history in the making.”
Melvin pointed out that Rucker’s superstar status as a country music artist follows his longtime success as lead singer of Hootie & the Blowfish with pop hits like “Hold My Hand,” “Let Her Cry,” and “I Only Want to Be with You.”
“It’s another thing entirely to have lightning strike twice in a major way,” Melvin said. “And it did for him.”
Melvin also touched on Rucker’s heart for “giving back,” with his support of more than 200 charities, and his reputation for not just donating money but “showing up” to help and give his time.
Darius Rucker and “Today” anchor, Craig Melvin, talking about “Wagon Wheel” achieving RIAA Diamond … [+] certification
Credit: Pam Windsor
In noting the success of “Wagon Wheel,” UMG Nashville Chairman/CEO Mike Dungan – who first signed Rucker to his record deal years ago, explained that “Wagon Wheel” was Rucker’s idea from the beginning. He recounted how Rucker called him one night from his daughter’s talent show in Baltimore where Rucker had seen some teachers, counselors and custodians perform the song. Dungan described the brief conversation:
Darius Rucker and Mike Dungan (UMG Nashville Chairman/CEO)
Credit: Pam Windsor
“Darius goes, ‘Hey man,” you know that song, Wagon Wheel?’
I said, ‘Yeah.’
He goes, ‘Hey man,’ I’m gonna cut it.’
I said, ‘I don’t know that that’s a song anybody should ever try to cover.’
Darius said, ‘I’m gonna cut it,’ and hung up.
As Dungan turned to look at Rucker, Rucker laughed and said, “You weren’t saying what I wanted you to say.”
Dungan nods, then says, “And my God he was right.”
Rucker, who credits much of the song’s success to Lady A adding vocals and producer Frank Rogers’ work in the studio, says he never imagined it would be become such a big hit. He just liked the song and wanted people to hear it. Now, everywhere he goes, it gets a tremendous response, even during a recent performance at the Grand Ole Opry.
“Wagon Wheel has become part of the lexicon,” Rucker says with a laugh. “When I play it, people lose their minds, just as they did the other night at the Opry. When we got to that song, everybody stood up and started dancing. How many times does that happen at the Opry?”
As he celebrates his latest career milestones, Rucker remains both humble and grateful. He says all he wanted when he first came to Nashville was the chance to make his own county album.
“It was a labor of love, and I would have done it even if I hadn’t got a record deal. I came here because I wanted to make the music. And I can’t thank you guys enough for the life you’ve given me.”
Rucker is currently hard at work on a new album set for release early next year. He has a new single out called “Ol Church Hymn” featuring Chapel Hart.
Odds are pretty strong he’ll be adding to that list of No 1’s.
