Even if you don’t know the face, you’ll probably remember the voice.
On Saturday, country crooner Darius Rucker will play two shows at the Auburn Performing Arts Center, promoting his latest solo album, “Learn To Live.”
Once upon a time, Rucker was better known as the frontman and voice for the multi-platinum selling pop band, Hootie & the Blowfish. In 1994, the band released “Cracked Rearview Mirror” which sold 16 million copies and spawned such hit singles as “Let Her Cry”, “Hold My Hand” and “I Only Want To Be With You”.
In 1996, the band was honored with a Grammy as the Best New Artist.
Although the band continues to play the occasional gig, such as a show for American troops stationed at Incirlik Air Force Base in Turkey in October of this year, it has not recorded a studio album since 2005.
Rucker, however, has stayed busy releasing a rhythm and blues solo album “Back to Then” in 2002 and his second effort, a country album “Learn to Live” in October of last year.
Although a country album might seem a stretch for Rucker, he disagrees.
“Growing up in South Carolina, it (country music) was always around, always on the radio,” he said in a press release. “We (Hootie and the Blowfish) talked about being a country band, and I just got outvoted. They also used to kid me about how I always was bringing them country songs that they had to turn into rock songs .”
So far the album has struck a chord with country music fans, debuting at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums list and No. 5 on Billboard’s Top-200 chart, which encompasses music from all genres.
The album sold more than 60,000 copies in it’s first week and two singles, “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It” and “It Won’t Be Like This For Long” have both charted at No. 1 on the country music charts. A third, “Alright”, debuted at No. 56 and is currently in the top 40.
According to Rucker, the secret of the popularity of the album lies in the simplicity of the tried-and-true country music songwriting formula.
“So many people in pop try to write all these psychedelic crazy lyrics, and I’m sure I’ve been part of that – but that’s something you don’t find in country music,” Rucker said. “The thing I like most about country songs is that they keep it simple. I love that, and I love the melodies.”
Added Rucker: “You know, I had been in that 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.”
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Showtime
Darius Rucker headlines the 26th annual Rotary Club of Auburn Scholarship Show on Saturday at Auburn Performing Arts Center, 700 E. Main St. Opening for Rucker will be country music prodigy singer/songwriter Hannah Weeks. Tickets for both the 5 and 9 p.m. shows are still available. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com.
