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Rucker sheds Hootie fame for a country music album
 
Rural Route Music by Bluegrass Johnson 
 
BITTER SWEET, Ky. — The first time I heard the voice of Darius Rucker, he was better known as the front man from Hootie and the Blowfish fame.
You’d have to like this band simply from their name; but while the Blowfish did not sing country music, they were a great band. They were great for many reasons.
First and foremost, they made really good music, led by Rucker’s easily recognizable baritone voice – and that usually trumps all. Secondly, they appealed to a wide range of listeners. While they were huge with the college crowd of the 1990s, they also had plenty of older and younger fans.
Rucker seems to have carried that skill with him into the country music genre. I attended a student organization conference a few years back, about the time Rucker was making it big on country radio.
Before one of the sessions of the conference began, students were gathering to an array of songs being played over a PA system.
I couldn’t help but notice the attention one of Rucker’s first country hits got from the hundreds of young people who were attending this conference.
They all knew the words to it and a few even danced. I say that to say this; I think it is a big deal when an artist can gather fans from all walks of life and all age groups. Rucker does this with his music and from the sound of his newest venture, that ability will continue. Southern Style is a collection of 13 new songs from this South Carolina native, most of which he wrote or co-wrote. The album, for me, paints a picture of who Rucker is with a lot of references to his southern roots. It’s music I can relate to in many ways.
The first single, Homegrown Honey, was actually released late last summer. It debuted in nearly every top 100 country chart there is and peaked at No. 2 on Billboard’s U.S. Country Airplay chart and number six on the U.S. Hot Country Songs chart.
Rucker’s latest album is getting rave reviews from nearly every music critic on the planet; and if the first single of the album is any indication, this could be his biggest country album yet.
Personally, my favorite cuts on this release are the title track and High on Life.
For Rucker, his “Hootie” fame is also likely to hang around since the band is still officially together, but this guy is country through and through. I give Southern Style and Darius Rucker a big ole “A” in my classroom not only for being good but for being “southern” good.

Bluegrass Johnson comes from a long line of country music performers and enjoys a passion for the rhythm and melody. From the hills of Kentucky, he will offer his opinions on a variety of new country music each week. Readers with questions or comments may write to Johnson in care of this publication.
4/16/2015