My oldest daughter listens to country music all the time. This is NOT a gene from the Thomas ancestry. In fact, I don’t think it’s a generational trait at all – definitely a learned behavior. Old Dominion and Carrie Underwood are her favorites. On our many hockey road trips over the years, I’ve been progressively introduced to this musical genre. And, I like. By the way, Carrie Underwood can sing.
I am more into main stream, semi cross-over into pop country acts. The hard core hold outs are still a bit too twangy for my taste. One thing I appreciate about country songs are the lyrics – there’s a story inside. Granted, the majority of themes deal with heartache. Still, it’s quite refreshing NOT listening to one phrase being repeated 23 times in a 3 minute song.
Some country singers have totally switched to pop, leaving those country roots behind. Rarely is an artist talented enough to do the reverse cross-over.
Darius Rucker (born May 13, 1966) is an American singer and songwriter. He first gained fame as the lead vocalist of the Grammy Award-winning American rock band Hootie and the Blowfish which he founded in 1986. The band released five studio albums with him as a member and charted six top 40 hits. Rucker co-wrote the majority of the band’s songs with the other three members.
Recently, I listened to the entire Cracked Rear View album. For research purposes, of course. I gotta tell you something. With a few minor changes – add a flat here – delete a riff there – almost every song on that ‘pop’ album has country potential.
He released a solo R & B album in 2002, but did not chart any singles. Six years later, Rucker signed to Capitol Nashville as a country music singer, releasing an album later that year. The first single released from the album made him the first black artist to reach number one on the country song charts since Charley Pride in 1983. It was followed by two more number one singles. In 2009, he became the first black American to win the New Artist Award from the Country Music Association, making him only the second African American to win any award from the association. A second album was released on October 12, 2010. His fifth country album drops October 20, 2017.
Few artists survive solo careers after ‘the band’ disbands. The body count of musical industry casualties is an accepted standard. However, Mr. Rucker appears to be destined to succeed in country. Personally, I think it was a good choice. Besides, he seems like a sensitive guy. Remember – dolphins make him cry.
