New country album means having fun for Darius Rucker ‘Southern’ Comfort

By John Benson | entertainment@vindy.com

When talking to eternal optimist Darius Rucker, the former Hootie & the Blowfish singer’s dalliance with country music still seems like a work in progress.

Sure, his four albums – Learn To Live,” “Charleston, SC 1966,” “True Believers” and his recently released “Southern Style” – not only all topped the Billboard Country Album chart, but also include six No. 1 singles.

Still, the easygoing singer doesn’t take anything for granted. And why should he? At the very least, Rucker knows it can all go away in the blink of an eye, just like it did for his erstwhile rock band.

However, these days there’s more on the 49-year-old singer’s mind. This past summer, taking center stage is something disturbing, something personally familiar to Rucker. That of course would be the racially motivated shootings of nine African-Americans in his hometown of Charleston, S.C.

The Vindicator talked to Rucker about the good (“Southern Style”), the bad (the Charleston shootings) and the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Q. First of all, do you get a sense that Charleston has begun healing from the recent shootings?

A. I think so. I think Charleston came together instead of blowing apart. Of all the stuff that could have happened – and you see in other cities like riots – we came together in this community. The families of those nine wonderful people came together and said, “We forgive you.” That was healing. That was Charleston saying, “That’s not us.”

Q. Did you have any connection to the nine victims?

A. My sisters knew several of them. I can’t say I got to meet anybody. But the church is across the street from where my kids go to school. I park in the parking lot when I go to pick them up sometimes. That church is right in the DNA of our city. That was a tough time, but the community handled it so well. I was so proud to be a part of Charleston.

Q. Being an African-American singer in a genre dominated by white artists and fans, do you feel as though it’s your job or role to speak out about racism?

A. No, I don’t think it’s my job. I always try to do what’s right. That’s the way my mom raised me. I still hold on to so many things she said to me and instilled in me as a kid. I just try to do what’s right. But that’s what I’ve dealt with my whole life. It’s just part of the fabric of our nature and our country. I can’t let it stop me from doing what I want to do. When things like that happen, you go, “Wow.” And the sad part is you always go back to the fact no one was born with that. They were taught everything they’re saying. It’s always been there, and I think it’ll always be there until I die. And after I die.

Q. Switching over to your new album, congratulations regarding “Southern Style.” Stylistically, how did you approach the project?

A. I love (2013’s) “True Believers.” I think it’s a great record, but I remember getting ready for “Southern Style” and listening to “True Believers” and thinking, man, that’s a serious record. So for “Southern Style,” I said let’s try to be country and try to have some more fun. Let’s just have songs that were meant for a good time. So we did that, and I think it’s a fun record.

Q. What new songs are really going over well live?

A. “Good for a Good Time” kills it live. It’s such a big country song. By the end of it, the people are singing along. “Lighter Up” is the opening song every night. We’ve seen the sales of that song spike online because people love that. And, of course, there are (singles) “Southern Style” and “Homegrown Honey.” Those are killer, too.

Q. Finally, you’re famously a big fan of the Miami Dolphins and your alma mater, the University of South Carolina. Which football team has you more excited this year?

A. Oh my goodness. You can lose six games in the NFL and still win the Super Bowl, so I think the Dolphins have a better chance. But man, I think if the Gamecocks can get some quarterback play, we could make some noise and maybe even make it to the championship game, but we’ll see.

Q. It sounds like you’re an eternal optimist.

A. I have to be.