Melt-Worthy Country Crossover Star
 Tuesday, August 19th, 2008  by Connie T.

I was listening to WGAR's country music station in the car yesterday when the emotional vocals of a country newcomer came on the air...but a voice so familiar. So I close my eyes (not really recommended for driving, though) and it surfaced: it sounded like Hootie and the Blowfish.

In fact, it was Darius Rucker, the band's former lead singer! The new single "Don't Think I Don't Think About It" was released in May through Rucker's new home with Capitol Records in Nashville, off the album Learn to Live (which will be out September 19th).

Thrilled is an understatement for how I feel about this. First of all, Darius Rucker has a soul-tugging sound that we've missed - if you tell me that "Let Her Cry" was not one of the best songs of all time, you won't win the argument! And secondly, I cannot think of one black country singer off the top of my head that has been mainstream. That is a damn shame. But if there is anyone who can cross over from pop to country and kill that stigma, I really hope it's Darius. Love the new tune...have a listen. The video just premiered this month!

And the salt-and-pepper goatee? Hotter than Brad Pitt's!!

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