Darius Rucker - Shay's Spotlight Artist of the Week

Darius Rucker, in my opinion, has been one of the best additions to country music in a long time. He's not a newcomer to the industry, but he is to the country scene. Darius for many years was the front man for the pop group Hootie & The Blowfish.

I have liked Hootie for a long time and I remember when the record label sent out his first country single to radio programmers. The single came wrapped in a brown paper sleeve with no name on it what so ever, just the name of the song. I popped it in the player and thought 'WOW, I like this'....but who is it.

Once the single was actually released to radio I was excited, surprised and skeptical all at the same time. I was excited because I loved Darius' pop work, surprised because I had no idea he had an interest in going country and skeptical in wondering if the country fans would accept him into their world. I was pleasantly surprised when he was not only accepted by fans but was completely embraced by established artists.

Hootie & the Blowfish released their first album in 1994 and sold over 25 million records worldwide. The four guys that made up the band all met in college, put the band together, and started performing. Although it didn't move quite that easily or fast. It took hard work and years to make it to that first radio hit.

In 2007 after finishing a tour the guys set out to do solo work. Darius wasn't the only one going solo, but he's probably had the most solo success. He released his 3rd album in 2012. He is currently on the True Believers tour with the Eli Young Band