Darius Rucker - Don't Think I Don't Think About It

Darius Rucker's name is synonymous with one of top-selling bands of all time, and with a range that rivals top vocalists across all genres, it is no surprise that South Carolina native and frontman for Grammy award-winning pop group Hootie & The Blowfish is now changing 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 - with whom Rucker co-wrote the debut single, "Don't Think I Don't Think About It" - Rucker showcases his rich storytelling capabilities while maintaining a familiarity fans are sure to recognize.

Q&A with Darius:

"Don't Think I Don't Think About It" is the first single you've taken to country radio - what made THIS song the best way to introduce yourself to a country audience?

I really would have been happy with pretty much any of the songs being the first single, but I told (producer) 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 (songwriter) 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.

You recording a country album might surprise some people . . . should it?

No, I don't think it should surprise anyone. I love music and for years I've listened to country artists. I mean, I grew up in South Carolina in the 70's, 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 any thing 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. It might sound funny now, but Hee Haw was a religion for me. Every country artist that existed was on Hee Haw, and I saw 'em all.

So, you wouldn't say that this is a big departure for you?

Not at all. I believe what we do with Hootie is not that far off from a lot of country music -- I mean, when we first started out, I begged the guys in Hootie to be a country band, and I just got outvoted! And I have always written country songs - in fact, a big joke in the band is that I write these country songs that they have to make rock. So for me, this is really just part of the natural evolution of my career -- inevitable, really. You have a pretty distinctive voice - what country artists would you describe as "distinctive," either as a vocalist or a songwriter?

There are so many singers in country that have their "thing" that is just them . . . We can start with Dwight. I love Dwight Yoakam. Nobody sounds like Dwight, nobody dances like Dwight - and we both love a shuffle. I think my biggest country influence is someone with an amazing voice, Radney Foster. The first time I heard Foster & Lloyd's "Crazy Over You" on TV, I went into the record store where I worked early so that I could open the album and hear it -- and I never went to work early. His Del Rio Texas 1959 album is one of the 10 best albums I have ever heard. As for other artists . . . well, Nanci Griffith is unbelievable. Patsy Cline, New Grass Revival, Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett, David Allen Coe, Hank Sr - these are all people that I have listened to for years, and with all of them, you recognize their voice the second you hear it. Oh yeah -- don't want to leave out Hank Jr.! One of my goals is to record "Family Tradition" -- I think that would be perfect for me.

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.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Don't
• Think
• About
• It
• Darius
• Rucker
• Hootie

[crakhaed]

I'm from Georgia, have a southern accent, and quite enjoy this nice man's music, regardless of his race. If you really can't look past the color of his skin to his great music; then you are missing out on a wonderful experience. And not everyone in the south is racist, just the ones that are usually are the loudest, unfortunately.

[BermudaBlueRs]

@tmoney6323 Not all "Rednecks" are racist. Black people can be rednecks, so you shouldn't group them as a racist group.

[hereforfun35]

I  LOVE THIS,..

[chastiff2000]

I dont understand that a man with great musical talent would be rediculed because of the color of his skin. If people never saw him the would love his music, because they wouldnt see the color of his skin. He is a great preformer and i will love him for all the great music he does forever. thank you Darius for doing what you do.  thanks, chuck@harsens isle. mi.