Darius Rucker Can't Pick Just One Christmas Film

Rucker loves to take it easy during the holidays after being on the road all year long. One way he winds down with his family is to watch Christmas movies…however, he can’t pick just one favorite.

“That’s such a hard question, favorite Christmas movie, because there are so many great movies that I can think of just off the top of my head that are great Christmas movies,” says Darius. “But it would be a tie between Miracle on 34th Street, which is still just great acting, great movie. I just love it. I love watching it. I watch it probably four times every Christmas and cry at the end every time. And I love Elf. I just think Elf is one of the absolute great stories and just funniest movies I’ve ever seen, and it just happens to be a Christmas movie. It’s one of my favorite movies.”

Catch Darius, who recently released his Christmas album Home for the Holidays, during the 33rd annual Christmas in Washington concert Friday (December 19th) at 8pm ET on TNT.

What God Wants For Christmas

Darius Rucker recently released his first Christmas album, Home for the Holidays. He co-wrote two songs on the collection – the 2009 “Candy Cane Christmas,” which originally appeared on Now! That’s What I Call Christmas 4 and his new holiday single, “What God Wants for Christmas.” He teamed up with producer Frank Rogers and songwriter Monte Criswell.

“Monte Criswell had this great idea and this great thing he had come up with of ‘What God Wants for Christmas,’” says Darius. “We sat down and the first thing I did was I Googled ‘What God Wants for Christmas,’ and I couldn’t believe no one had ever written that…So, we sat down and just the whole time was so inspirational I think for all of us. We were sitting there writing the song and it was coming. Every line somebody said was a line we used and it was a great line. We wanted to write one of those songs that years from now people are still listening to and people are still – and it’s important to people. We wanted to put God back in Christmas, and that’s what we tried to do with that song.”

Home for the Holidays also features such classics as “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” with Sheryl Crow, “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Winter Wonderland” and “White Christmas,” among others.

Darius Is Already In A Holiday Spirit

Capitol/Nashville’s Darius Rucker will release his first Christmas album, Home For The Holidays, on October 27th. 

The twelve track album will include holiday classics as well as two Rucker originals, “Candy Cane Christmas” and “What God Wants For Christmas.” Also, special guest Sheryl Crow joins Darius on the holiday standard “Baby It’s Cold Outside.”

"I am so excited to finally make a Christmas album,” shares Darius. “This has been a lifelong dream and I hope my fans enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed making it."

In addition to recording his Christmas album, Darius has been working on his fourth solo county album to be released in early 2015.  The album’s debut single “Homegrown Honey” has just been released to Country radio and is climbing the charts.

Darius Gets A Rolling Stone Shout-Out From John Mellencamp

Darius Rucker gets a call out by Mellencamp in the latest issue of Rolling Stone. The magazine’s “Playlist” played a few songs new and old for the rocker and asked for his take on each one. For Darius’ “Wagon Wheel,” he said, “You know, I had the curse and the blessing of being a pop star once.

For this guy to recover from that and go on to a new genre is very admirable.” Other songs that the rocker talked about were Royy Orbison’s “Crying,” Pearl Jam’s “Lukin” and Kanye West’s “I Am a God.”

Darius has hit the airwaves with his latest single, "Homegrown Honey," which he co-wrote with Lady Antebellum's Charles Kelley and producer Nathan Chapman.

Country Goes Motley

Country stars lined up to pay homage to iconic rock group Motley Crue on the new Big Machine release, Nashville Outlaws: A Tribute To Motley Crue, which arrives at retail on August 19th. 

Justin Moore, Florida Georgia Line, Rascal Flatts, Brantley Gilbert, LeAnn Rimes, Darius Rucker, Eli Young Band, Cassadee Pope, The Mavericks, Big & Rich, The Cadillac Three, Aaron Lewis, Nashville stars Sam Palladio and Clare Bowen, Lauren Jenkins and Gretchen Wilson all recorded Motley Crue’s hits in tribute to the band, who, after more than 30 years together and over 80 million albums sold worldwide, have decided to call it quits.

The idea for Nashville Outlaws: A Tribute To Motley Crue at first didn’t make sense to the band, but Vince Neil says they quickly came around to giving their stamp of approval. “I just kind of couldn’t wrap my head around it because my head is still like what country was 30 years ago, say when I was growing up, and I didn’t really realize that country music has become the new rock ‘n’ roll, and so all of a sudden I started listening to these bands and going, ‘This actually makes sense. I mean, this is really cool! So it became really exciting and after listening to the songs for the first time of all the acts I was like, ‘These guys all hit a homerun on this record.’”

The first single from Nashville Outlaws: A Tribute To Motley Crue is Justin Moore’s version of “Home Sweet Home,” featuring Vince Neil.

Country Stars Stand Under Ice Buckets

Luke Bryan was challenged by his buddy and opening act Cole Swindell in the #icebucketchallenge to fight ALS. Dierks Bentley, who had already done the challenge, and Lee Brice were in attendance and added a little commentary to the event.

Darius Rucker braved the icy cold water and took the #icebucketchallenge and in turn challenged Lady Antebellum's Charles Kelley, who was also called out by Luke Bryan. Charles called out model/actress Kate Upton, who appears in the band's video for "Bartender."

The #icebucketchallenge has helped raise more than $2 million for the national ALS Association since July 29th.

In addition to Darius, Luke and Charles, folks like Dierks Bentley, Scotty McCreery, Lee Brice, Cole Swindell, Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, Justin Timberlake, Martha Stewart, NBC's Matt Lauer and Hoda Kotb and even the Kennedy family.

Weather Cancels Luke and Darius Shows Last Week

Luke Bryan was forced to postpone his Thursday night show in Greensboro, North Carolina due to severe winter weather. Tickets for the original date on the That’s My Kind of Night Tour were honored on Monday (February 17th). Kelleigh Bannen fills in for opening act Cole Swindell, who already had a previous engagement.

Luke’s not the only one who had to postpone one of last week’s shows due to the winter storm. Darius Rucker’s show at the Giant Center in Hershey, P-A was rescheduled for March 3rd, and all tickets for the February 13th concert will be valid for the new date.

Jerrod Niemann, Darius Rucker & CBS Hosts To Announce ACM Nominees

There will also be special VIP guests announcing categories via online video posts.

WHAT:   The third annual ACM digital press conference, hosted by the Academy of Country Music, CBS Television and dick clark productions via ACM social media channels, to announce the nominees for the 49th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, Country Music’s Party of the Year® to be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 6, 2014 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.   

WHO: Fox Sports broadcaster Erin Andrews, 2 Broke Girls star Beth Behrs, reigning ACM Songwriter of the Year Dallas Davidson, The Insider co-anchor Kevin Frazier, Singer and Pretty Little Liars star Lucy Hale, CBS This Morning co-anchor Gayle King, Jerrod Niemann, Entertainment Tonight co-anchor Nancy O’Dell, Duck Dynasty stars Willie and Korie Robertson, Darius Rucker, The Talk hosts Julie Chen, Sara Gilbert, Sharon Osbourne, Aisha Tyler & Sheryl Underwood and more surprise guests will announce via videos posted in real time to fans and media, simultaneously.  

WHEN:   Wednesday, January 29, 2014 7:00 AM PST
   
The final round of judging by ACM members will begin Monday, February 3rd at 9am PT and will close Tuesday, February 11th at 9pm PT.

Darius Rucker Hits The 2014 Road With Eli Young Band

It’s been a record year for Rucker. Arguably one of the most applauded singles of the year, “Wagon Wheel” has helped the platinum-selling entertainer earn multiple nominations from the CMA and ACA Awards. Fans of his third chart-topping country album, True Believers, can catch Rucker out on the road next year performing nationwide, featuring the Eli Young Band with special guest David Nail.

 
The tour will kick off January 29, 2014 in Champaign, Ill. at State Farm Center with tickets going on sale beginning Nov. 15. An exclusive pre-sale will be available beginning Nov. 7 on dariusrucker.com. Rucker is teaming up with Tickets-for-Charity and CMT One Country to offer premium seats to benefit the USO and Pattison's Academy -- available exclusively at www.ticketsforcharity.com. 

 

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette calls Rucker’s live show “a killer set,” and The Morning Call hails him as “the best male performer in country music right now."

 

“As an entertainer, there’s nothing like seeing the fans react to your music. I’ve been blessed to have country radio take six of our songs to No. 1, so we thought it was the perfect time to take the True Believers Tour on the road,” shares Rucker.  “It’s going to be an awesome show with some great entertainers as both Eli Young Band and David Nail deliver live.”

 

Rucker will perform during "The 47th Annual CMA Awards," which airs live on Nov. 6, and on "CMA Country Christmas," which will air on Dec. 2. Both specials will air on the ABC Television Network.

Darius Rucker Thanks The Grand Ole Opry For His One Year Anniversay

It has been exactly one year since Darius was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Today, he's thanking everyone for their support (click to watch the video), as well as those who've been inducted after him.

Darius is currently scaling the country charts with his latest single, "Radio."

Darius Rucker, George Canyon, High Valley and Kira Isabella Perform On CCMA Awards Show

Four additional performers join the 2013 CCMA Awards Broadcast line-up.

“The CCMA Awards Broadcast is an annual celebration of country music in Canada, and we’re proud to have these fantastic performers grace our stage. This year’s show will be full of incredible moments that you’ll never see anywhere else.” said CCMA President, Don Green.  “Stay tuned, we’ll be making more announcements regarding performers leading up to the CCMA Awards Broadcast.”

With numerous CCMA Award, ECMA Award, JUNO Award nominations and wins over the past ten years George Canyon is one of the most celebrated Canadian country artists. In 2012 Canyon released his highly anticipated album Classics II and just recently wrapped up the east coast leg of his Classics II tour. When not performing for thousands of fans across North America and Europe, Canyon can be found working on his philanthropic endeavors. This year Canyon and his team have been nominated for nine CCMA Awards.

High Valley, recognized as one of Billboard Magazine’s "10 Artists To Watch In 2013", released its sophomore album Love Is A Long Road in 2012 which has since earned three Top 10 singles. The title track ‘Let It Be Me’ was Top 5 at country radio, and the corresponding video went to #1 on CMT (Canada). In 2013, the trio has earned two CCMA Awards nominations.

Since her CCMA Rising Star Award win last year, Kira Isabella has been making big waves in the Canadian country music scene. She released her first full-length album Love Me Like That late last year, toured with Carrie Underwood in the fall of 2012, and with Terri Clark this past winter. Barely 19 years old, Isabella has a decade of performing under her belt and has already released five successful singles from her debut album, including her upbeat hit ‘A Little More Work’.  In 2013 Isabella received a 2013 JUNO Award nomination for Breakthrough Artist of the Year and has been nominated for two CCMA Awards IN 2013.

Having just released his third country album True Believers, Darius Rucker was recently celebrated as an inductee to the Grand Ole Opry.  Well known as the frontman for the acclaimed band, Hootie & the Blowfish, Rucker has found continued success in the country music industry since his debut as a solo artist. In 2009, he earned the New Artist Award from the Country Music Association and his most recent single ‘Wagon Wheel’ reached #1 at Country Radio in Canada, and has been certified Platinum.

The CCMA previously announced 2013 CCMA Awards Broadcast performances by Emerson Drive, Dallas Smith, and The Band Perry. The 2013 CCMA Awards Broadcast will be celebrated live from Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, and will air on Sunday, September 8 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) on CBC-TV, with encore airings on CMT (Canada) starting at 10 pm ET.

Also of note today, additional floor seats to the CCMA Awards Broadcast on Sunday, September 8 at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, have been released.  Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster locations, by phone at 1-855-985-5000 or online at ticketmaster.ca.  Ticket prices range from $34 - $90.25, plus service charges.

“Darius Rucker And Friends” = Luke Bryan, Randy Houser, Dustin Lynch, Justin Moore + Many More

Luke Bryan, Sam Bush, John Cowan, Radney Foster, Randy Houser, Dustin Lynch and Justin Moore will join Rucker for his sold-out, fourth annual “Darius And Friends” benefit concert on Monday, June 3 at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville, Tenn.

Proceeds from the event go directly to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“I always look forward to this event each year, and I’m so happy to have Luke, Sam, John, Randy, Dustin, Justin, and of course my hero, Radney, join me to help raise funds for St. Jude,” said Rucker.

“A few years ago I visited the St. Jude campus in Memphis and instantly became a ‘true believer’ in everyone there and the work they do to help treat kids and cure disease. I am happy to help raise funds for such a worthwhile cause and thrilled that some of my friends can join me.”

“Darius And Friends” has unofficially become a kickoff event for CMA Music Festival Week since it began four years ago. Through the years, artists including Rodney Atkins, Clint Black, Easton Corbin, Jamey Johnson, Kid Rock, Jerrod Niemann and Jake Owen have participated in the event. Since its inception, “Darius And Friends” has grown to include a charity auction and a celebrity golf tournament and has raised more than $225,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Darius Rucker Posts 6 Million Music Video Views, One Million Facebook Fans

The Platinum-selling Capitol Nashville recording artist will release his third country album, True Believers, on Tuesday, May 21.

In support of his new album, Rucker will perform on ABC’s “Good Morning America” on May 21 and “Jimmy Kimmel Live” on May 22. 

“I could not be more proud of this album, and I can’t wait for the fans to hear it,” said Rucker, who co-wrote ten of the twelve tracks. “They have always been my ‘true believers,’ and I hope they love the new music as much as I do.” 

 

The album is aptly named, as Rucker’s fans are indeed "true believers." His official Facebook page (facebook.com/dariusrucker) recently surpassed one million fans, while the music video for “Wagon Wheel” has received more than six million views on YouTube.

 

Rucker’s first two country albums, Learn To Live and Charleston, SC 1966 both topped the Billboard Country Album Chart and produced five No. 1 singles.

 

Last week Rucker launched the True Believers Tour on May 9 in Estero, Fla. The tour will visit more than 20 cities across the U.S. before wrapping up in Clarkston, Mich. on June 30. Joining him on select dates will be special guests RIAA platinum-selling Rodney Atkins, top-charting country singer Justin Moore, and 2013 ACM New Female Vocalist winner Jana Kramer.  

“Darius and Friends” IV

Darius Rucker will host his fourth annual benefit concert in Nashville, Tenn. on Monday, June 3 at the Wildhorse Saloon with proceeds from the night going directly to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  

A special offer code will be shared with St. Jude and Rucker’s Facebook and Twitter followers for ticket pre-sale beginning today, Wednesday, April 3 at 11 a.m. CDT with general on sale opening at 10 a.m. CDT on Friday, April 5.  

A fourth consecutive sell-out is anticipated, so fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets early.  Prices start at $35 for General Admission and go up to $100 for VIP table options.  Tickets will be available through the Wildhorse Saloon box office (615-902-8200 x1), www.WildhorseSaloon.com, and www.DariusRucker.com. 

Fans have come to look forward to kicking off their CMA Music Festival week with Rucker and his friends, who have included Rodney Atkins, Clint Black, Radney Foster, Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson, and Kid Rock among others.  Details on who will be joining Rucker for this year’s event will be announced soon.

“We started this event with a simple goal in mind and that was to raise money for St. Jude. I had visited their campus in Memphis and was so blown away at the facility, staff, and service that I made a pledge to contribute annually. It’s a bonus that I have had such amazing friends join us in the effort,” adds Rucker.

Since its inception, “Darius and Friends” has grown include a charity auction and a celebrity golf tournament and has raised more than $125,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  Rucker has high hopes of topping past year’s totals to further benefit the pediatric treatment and research facility.

Rucker recently announced his True Believers Tour commencing May 9 in Estero, Fla. with dates running through the summer.

Darius Rucker Hosts ACM Lifting Lives Celebrity Golf Classic

This will be Rucker's second consecutive year as host of one of the events leading up to this year's ACM Awards. The event will take place April 6th at TPC Las Vegas and will benefit ACM Lifting Lives' Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund, which provides immediate relief to those in need in the music industry.

To say Darius is an avid golfer is an understatement -- he loves the sport, and not just for the athleticism. "I love being outside. I get outside so little, really, if you look at the whole thing," says Darius. "It's me against the course. I love that."

The 48th Annual ACM Awards will air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena April 7th on CBS.

The South Carolina native is currently making his way up the country charts with his latest single, "Wagon Wheel," which is from his upcoming album, True Believers.

Darius Rucker Enlists Some Special Guests For His New Video

Rucker has been shooting his latest music video for his new single “Wagon Wheel” in Nashville, TN this week.  The video directed by Jim Wright features several guest appearances including Jase, Korie, Sadie, Si and Willie Robertson from A&E’s Duck Dynasty and Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum who along with Dave Haywood and Hillary Scott sing background vocals on the single.

“My wife came up with the idea to have the Duck Dynasty (DD) guys in the "Wagon Wheel" music video, and I thought we had no chance because they're so busy so I never even said it out loud,” explains Rucker. “Thank God she called my manager because the DD folks took this video to a whole new level! Big thanks to them and Charles... It was a good time for sure, and I can't wait to see how the video turns out!”

“Wagon Wheel” was written by Ketch Secur of Old Crow Medicine Show and is based on a sketch by Bob Dylan.  The hit single is from Rucker’s upcoming third solo country album, True Believers, which will be released this Spring.

Rucker recently had a childhood dream come true when he was inducted as the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry.  His first two country albums, Learn To Live and Charleston, SC 1966 both topped the Billboard Country album chart and produced five No. 1 singles including “Come Back Song,” “This,” “Alright,” “It Won’t Be Like This For Long” and “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It.”  In 2009 Rucker was named New Artist of the Year at the CMA Awards.

Darius Rucker And Randy Houser “Making A Difference

Both started the new year off with successful music releases, but they are also being recognized for their volunteer work with Musicians On Call (MOC), a non-profit organization that brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities.  NBC’s Lester Holt recently traveled to Nashville, Tenn. to join Rucker and Houser as they performed and visited with patients at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt through the MOC Nashville branch.  The visit, recently highlighted in Country Weekly magazine, will be the focus of the “Making a Difference” segment of NBC Nightly News this Saturday, Feb. 16 at 6:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 CT plus a "Web Extra" on the Nightly News tab of NBCNews.com featuring an extended interview with Rucker.

 
The two artists shared with Holt their experiences over the years performing for patients in healthcare facilities and the influence it has on them personally to witness the visible affect music has on these patients.  Weighing in on the advantages of having Musicians On Call in their hospital was Dr. Elisabeth M. Dykens, Professor of Psychology and Human Development and Director of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, who can personally attest to the patient benefits achieved through music. 

 
“Everyone could see the impact of music on the patients, their families and hospital staff when Darius Rucker and Randy Houser entered the hospital rooms to play a song just for them,” shares Musicians On Call Executive Director,  Dr. Leslie Faerstein.  “Musicians On Call goes to the bedsides of patients 41 times a week in six cities and delivers the healing power of music to those who need it most.”

 
Rucker is gearing up for the summer release of his upcoming album, True Believers, featuring his latest critically-acclaimed single, “Wagon Wheel.”  Entertainment Weekly calls the song “a rich, twangy romper with a decidedly sunny vibe,” while USA Today praises “Wagon Wheel” as a “sure-fire hit.”  “Wagon Wheel” follows his previously chart-topping hits “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It,” “It Won’t Be Like This For Long,” “Alright,” “This,” and “Come Back Song.”  For more information on Rucker, please visit www.DariusRucker.com.

Houser, who recently earned his first No. 1 and RIAA Gold-certified single with “How Country Feels,” is busy touring in support of his brand new album, How Country Feels, released Jan. 22, 2013 on Stoney Creek Records.  Associated Press heralded, How Country Feels is “stuffed with country soul-inflected mid-tempo arrangements that highlight Houser’s rich voice,” and The Washington Post proclaims, “Houser’s back with How Country Feels, a buoyant, hook-filled outing that seems to have the Mississippi native angling for Nashville’s softer, feel-good center." Selling out shows nationwide, more information can be found online by visiting www.RandyHouser.com.

High School Talent Show Helps Pick Darius Rucker's New One

Rucker has just released his new single, “Wagon Wheel,” and it was because of his daughter’s high school talent show that he came up with the idea to record the Old Crow Medicine Show popular sing-along tune.

“We were watching my daughter, and the faculty band gets up. It’s just the faculty from her school, and they play ‘Wagon Wheel.’ And I’m sitting in the audience, and they get to the middle of the chorus, and I turned to my wife, and I go, ‘I’ve got to cut this song,’” recalls Darius. “I’m serious. This all happened in three-and-a-half minutes, four minutes, while they’re playing the song. And so I’m texting [producer] Frank Rogers, ‘Do you know this ‘Wagon Wheel’ song?’ He’s like, ‘Yeah. It’s by Old Crow Medicine Show.’ He said, ‘A lot of people have cut it.’ I said, ‘I don’t care! [laughs] I’m cutting it!’”

The song, which is based on a portion of the song “Rock Me Mama” written by Bob Dylan and later finished by Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show, has been recorded by numerous artists including Little Feat, Jeremy McComb and Mumford & Sons…and can be heard in just about every club in America.

You may recall Darius made a surprise appearance with Old Crow Medicine Show at the Grand Ole Opry last July for a special rendition of the song. 

Justin Moore Resolves To Support St. Jude's In '12

One thing he has always wanted to do since he started his music career is organize a hometown event to raise money for charity, and it looks like 2012 may be the year he’ll get it started.

“I kinda wanted to wait until I had what I thought was a legitimate platform instead of just going down there and raising a few hundred dollars, which every little bit counts. And more than likely it would be for St. Jude.” Now that he’s had some success (the photo is from his "Bait A Hook" video) and could attract more attention to an event and raise more money he says, “We've been trying to find a date for it.” Plus he’s already started enlisting friends. Justin boasts, “Darius [Rucker] owes me a bet. We bet on the South Carolina/Arkansas game last year, so he lost it so he's gotta come do a charity event for free for me. F-R-E-E, free. We just gotta find a date.”

As a father of two healthy little girls Justin will likely choose St. Jude as the beneficiary of his event because he says, “I've got a soft place in my heart for that place and those kids. I mean I've been able to go down and visit those kids and see that. And if that don't touch your life and change you then you've got something wrong with you.”

Darius Got Somethin'

Darius Rucker is helping the fight against childhood obesity. 

Darius joins legendary funnyman Bill Murray as co-captains of celebrity softball teams at an October 1 game in Darius' hometown of Charleston, S.C., to raise money for the cause.

The Slim Down the South Celebrity Softball Challenge will be held at Charleston's Riley Park, with confirmed players including Jim Sonefeld of Hootie and the Blowfish, several cast members from the Lifetime TV drama, 'Army Wives,' and competitors from the NBC reality competition show, 'The Biggest Loser.'

Darius himself stays in shape by practicing a regular exercise routine, even when he's on the road.