History of Darius Rucker in Timeline
Darius Rucker is an American singer, musician, and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the rock band Hootie & the Blowfish. Formed in 1986 at the University of South Carolina with bandmates Mark Bryan, Jim "Soni" Sonefeld, and Dean Felber, the group released five studio albums and achieved six top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Rucker played a significant role in the band's songwriting, co-writing the majority of their songs with his fellow members.
May 13, 1966: Darius Rucker Born
Darius Carlos Rucker was born on May 13, 1966.
1983: Charley Pride's Last Number One
Charley Pride's song "Night Games" reached number one on the country charts in 1983.
1986: Hootie & the Blowfish Formed
In 1986, Darius Rucker founded the rock band Hootie & the Blowfish with Mark Bryan, Jim "Soni" Sonefeld, and Dean Felber at the University of South Carolina.
1989: Jim "Soni" Sonefeld Joins Hootie & the Blowfish
Jim "Soni" Sonefeld joined Hootie & the Blowfish in 1989, completing the band's lineup.
November 1992: Mother's Death
Darius Rucker's mother passed away in November 1992 due to a heart attack. This event inspired two Hootie & the Blowfish songs: "I'm Goin' Home" and "Not Even the Trees.".
1992: Wynonna's First Three Singles Hit Number One
Wynonna's first three country singles reached No. 1 in 1992.
1993: Meeting Tiger Woods
Darius Rucker met golfer Tiger Woods in 1993.
1994: Cracked Rear View Released
Hootie & the Blowfish released their debut album, "Cracked Rear View", in 1994.
April 21, 1995: Birth of Carolyn Pearl Phillips
On April 21, 1995, Darius Rucker's girlfriend, Elizabeth Ann Phillips, gave birth to his first child, daughter Carolyn Pearl Phillips.
October 1995: National Anthem at World Series
In October 1995, Darius Rucker sang the national anthem at the World Series.
1996: Fairweather Johnson Released
Hootie & the Blowfish released their second album, "Fairweather Johnson", in 1996.
1997: Collaboration with Nanci Griffith
Darius Rucker collaborated with Nanci Griffith on the song "Gulf Coast Highway" for her 1997 album "Blue Roses from the Moons".
1998: Musical Chairs Released
Hootie & the Blowfish released their third album, "Musical Chairs", in 1998.
1999: Backing Vocals for Radney Foster
Darius Rucker sang backing vocals on Radney Foster's 1999 album "See What You Want to See".
2000: Marriage to Beth Leonard
Darius Rucker married Beth Leonard in 2000.
2000: Scattered, Smothered and Covered Released
Hootie & the Blowfish released their fourth album, "Scattered, Smothered and Covered", in 2000.
May 16, 2001: Birth of Daniela Rose
On May 16, 2001, Darius Rucker's wife, Beth Leonard, gave birth to their first child together, a daughter named Daniela Rose.
July 2001: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Appearance
In July 2001, Darius Rucker appeared on a pop-star edition of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?".
2001: The Return of Mongo Slade Recorded
Darius Rucker recorded his solo R&B debut album, "The Return of Mongo Slade", for Atlantic Records in 2001.
July 2002: Back to Then Released
"The Return of Mongo Slade", Darius Rucker's solo R&B debut album, was released as "Back to Then" by Hidden Beach Recordings in July 2002 after being acquired from Atlantic Records.
2002: Back to Then Released
Darius Rucker released his debut R&B album, "Back to Then", through Hidden Beach Recordings in 2002.
2003: Hootie & the Blowfish Released
Hootie & the Blowfish released their self-titled fifth album in 2003.
October 27, 2004: Birth of Jack Rucker
On October 27, 2004, Darius Rucker's son, Jack, was born to his wife, Beth Leonard.
2005: Looking for Lucky Released
Hootie & the Blowfish released their sixth album, "Looking for Lucky", in 2005.
2005: Burger King Commercial
Darius Rucker appeared in a Burger King commercial in 2005, singing a jingle to the tune of "The Big Rock Candy Mountains".
2006: God's Reasons
Darius Rucker lent his voice to the track "God's Reasons" for the film "The Still Life" in 2006.
May 3, 2008: "Don't Think I Don't Think About It" Released
Darius Rucker's first country single, "Don't Think I Don't Think About It", debuted on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts on May 3, 2008.
July 2008: Grand Ole Opry Debut
Darius Rucker made his Grand Ole Opry debut in July 2008.
2008: Learn to Live Released
In 2008, Darius Rucker signed to Capitol Nashville and released his second album, "Learn to Live", his first country album. The album's first single, "Don't Think I Don't Think About It", became a number one hit on the Hot Country Songs chart.
2008: Support for St. Jude
In 2008, Darius Rucker toured St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and committed to supporting the institution. He has since spearheaded an annual fundraising event, raising over $1.6 million.
February 6, 2009: Learn to Live Certified Gold
Darius Rucker's album "Learn to Live" was certified gold on February 6, 2009.
August 7, 2009: Learn to Live Certified Platinum
Darius Rucker's album "Learn to Live" was certified platinum on August 7, 2009.
November 11, 2009: CMA New Artist of the Year Award
On November 11, 2009, Darius Rucker won the Country Music Association New Artist of the Year award, becoming the first African American to win the award since its introduction in 1981.
2009: Country Music Association Award
In 2009, Darius Rucker became the first Black American to win the New Artist Award from the Country Music Association.
October 12, 2010: Charleston, SC 1966 Released
Darius Rucker released his third album, "Charleston, SC 1966", on October 12, 2010.
November 2010: "This" Reaches No. 1
In November 2010, Darius Rucker's single "This" from his album "Charleston, SC 1966" reached No. 1 on the country chart.
May 20, 2011: Commencement Address
On May 20, 2011, Darius Rucker delivered the commencement address to the graduating class of the Medical University of South Carolina.
December 14, 2011: Third Country Album Announcement
On December 14, 2011, it was reported that Rucker was working on his third country album, with recording set to begin in January 2012.
2011: Future of Hootie & the Blowfish
In late 2011, Darius Rucker stated that Hootie & the Blowfish would not break up and would eventually release another record and tour.
October 2, 2012: Grand Ole Opry Invitation
On October 2, 2012, Darius Rucker was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry by Brad Paisley.
October 12, 2012: "True Believers" Album Title Reveal
On October 12, 2012, Rucker announced that his upcoming album would be titled "True Believers".
2012: Darius Rucker Intercollegiate
In 2012, Darius Rucker began hosting the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate, a women's golf tournament held at Long Cove Club in Hilton Head.
March 17, 2013: C2C: Country to Country Performance
On March 17, 2013, Darius Rucker performed at the C2C: Country to Country festival in London.
May 11, 2013: University of South Carolina Commencement
On May 11, 2013, Rucker was the speaker at the University of South Carolina's commencement ceremony and received an honorary doctorate of music.
May 2013: "Wagon Wheel" Reaches No. 1
In May 2013, Darius Rucker's cover of "Wagon Wheel" reached No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart.
May 21, 2013: "True Believers" Album Release
Darius Rucker's album "True Believers" was released on May 21, 2013.
June 16, 2013: NBA Finals National Anthem Performance
On June 16, 2013, Darius Rucker sang the national anthem at the NBA finals.
July 22, 2013: "Radio" Single Release
"Radio", the third single from Rucker's "True Believers" album, was released on July 22, 2013.
December 6, 2013: Grammy Nomination
On December 6, 2013, Darius Rucker's "Wagon Wheel" was nominated for Best Country Solo Performance at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards.
2013: Outback Bowl National Anthem Performance
Darius Rucker sang the national anthem at the Outback Bowl in Tampa, Florida on New Year's Day 2013.
2013: True Believers Released
In 2013, Darius Rucker released his fourth studio album, "True Believers".
January 26, 2014: Grammy Award Win
Darius Rucker won the Grammy Award for Best Country Solo Performance for "Wagon Wheel" on January 26, 2014.
February 3, 2014: "Miss You" Single Release
"Miss You", the fourth single from Darius Rucker's album "True Believers", was released on February 3, 2014.
August 25, 2014: "Homegrown Honey" Single Release
Darius Rucker released "Homegrown Honey", the lead single from his fourth country album, on August 25, 2014.
September 15, 2014: Christmas Album Announcement
On September 15, 2014, Rucker announced the completion of his first Christmas album.
October 27, 2014: Christmas Album Release
Darius Rucker's Christmas album was released on October 27, 2014.
2014: Home for the Holidays and Southern Style Released
In 2014, Darius Rucker released two albums: his first Christmas album, "Home for the Holidays," and his sixth studio album, "Southern Style".
March 31, 2015: "Southern Style" Album Release
Rucker's fourth country studio album, "Southern Style," was released on March 31, 2015.
April 2015: "Homegrown Honey" Charts
In April 2015, "Homegrown Honey" reached No. 2 on the Country Airplay chart.
May 4, 2015: "Southern Style" Single Release
The title track from Darius Rucker's "Southern Style" album was released as a single on May 4, 2015.
May 30, 2015: XTU Anniversary Show
On May 30, 2015, Darius Rucker headlined the XTU 31st Anniversary Show in Philadelphia.
January 6, 2016: Fifth Country Album Announcement
On January 6, 2016, Darius Rucker announced that he was working on his fifth country album.
May 29, 2016: Indianapolis 500 National Anthem Performance
Darius Rucker performed the national anthem at the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 29, 2016.
July 5, 2016: "If I Told You" Single Release
"If I Told You," the lead single from Rucker's upcoming fifth country album, was released on July 5, 2016.
November 7, 2016: MGC Sports Partnership
On November 7, 2016, Darius Rucker announced his partnership with MGC Sports, a sports agency representing golfers, football players, and coaches. He planned to reduce his performance commitments to focus on this new venture.
2016: Appearance on Sister Hazel Album
Darius Rucker made a guest appearance on Sister Hazel's 2016 album, "Lighter in the Dark".
2016: 2016 Ryder Cup and Arnold Palmer's Funeral
In 2016, Darius Rucker was a VIP guest of Team USA at the Ryder Cup and attended Arnold Palmer's funeral.
March 2017: C2C: Country to Country Return
Darius Rucker returned to the C2C: Country to Country festival in the UK in March 2017.
May 12, 2017: Undercover Boss Appearance
On May 12, 2017, the "Celebrity Undercover Boss: Darius Rucker" episode premiered, featuring Rucker disguised as a music teacher, running an open mic night, and working as a roadie.
July 24, 2017: "For the First Time" Single Release
Rucker released the single "For the First Time" on July 24, 2017, from his upcoming album.
July 26, 2017: "When Was the Last Time" Album Announcement
On July 26, 2017, Darius Rucker announced his fifth country album, "When Was the Last Time".
October 2017: NFL International Series National Anthem Performance
In October 2017, Rucker sang the national anthem at the Saints-Dolphins game in London for the NFL International Series.
October 20, 2017: "When Was the Last Time" Album Release
Darius Rucker released his fifth country album, "When Was the Last Time," on October 20, 2017.
2017: When Was the Last Time Released
Darius Rucker released his seventh studio album, "When Was the Last Time", in 2017.
November 1, 2019: Imperfect Circle Released
Hootie & the Blowfish's sixth studio album, "Imperfect Circle," was released on November 1, 2019.
2019: Imperfect Circle Released
Hootie & the Blowfish released their seventh studio album, "Imperfect Circle", in 2019.
August 2020: "Beers and Sunshine" Release
Darius Rucker released the single "Beers and Sunshine" in August 2020.
2020: Divorce from Beth Leonard
In 2020, Darius Rucker and his wife, Beth Leonard, announced their divorce.
2021: "The Metallica Blacklist" Contribution and "Beers and Sunshine" Summer Mix
In 2021, Darius Rucker covered Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters" for "The Metallica Blacklist" and released a summer mix of "Beers and Sunshine".
April 2022: "Same Beer Different Problems" Release
In April 2022, Darius Rucker released a new single titled "Same Beer Different Problems".
October 2023: "To Be a Man" Feature
In October 2023, Darius Rucker was featured on Dax's single "To Be a Man".
November 2023: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
In November 2023, it was announced that Darius Rucker would receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
2023: Carolyn's Boy Released
Darius Rucker released his eighth studio album, "Carolyn's Boy," in 2023.
February 1, 2024: Arrest in Tennessee
On February 1, 2024, Darius Rucker was arrested in Williamson County, Tennessee, on misdemeanor drug and vehicle registration charges. He was released on bail and cooperated with authorities.
2024: "Life's Too Short: A Memoir" Release
Darius Rucker released his memoir, "Life's Too Short: A Memoir," in 2024.