Darius Rucker: Get to know the country singer
He recently joined Absolute Radio Country for his own series
Last updated 5th Aug 2025
Known as the frontman of 'college rock' band Hootie & the Blowfish, as well as a country legend in his own right, Darius Rucker has a voice which can soothe your soul. So it's no surprise we snapped him up for a series of shows here on Absolute Radio Country earlier this year.
Despite a busy few years releasing new music, both as a solo artist and with the band that once became the centre of an episode of Friends, Darius is now out on tour - with dates here in the UK this autumn, as well as a historic Grand Ole Opry show in London. But how did the 'Wagon Wheel' singer rise to fame? We take a look back at his impressive career...
Who is Darius Rucker?
First rising to fame as the lead singer of US 90s legends Hootie & the Blowfish, Darius Rucker has gone on to have a hugely successful solo career. Releasing songs like 'Wagon Wheel' and 'Alright' as well as collaborating with icons like Adele and Lionel Richie, Darius has become a real star of country music — even gaining a prestigious membership to the Grand Ole Opry in 2012.
Winning a Grammy both as a solo artist, and as part of Hootie & the Blowfish, Darius has had a great career in the 40 years that followed his decision to form a band with his college room mate. And now he's on the airwaves here at Absolute Radio Country, while preparing to go on tour later this year.
He's also a former Absolute Radio Country host, of course, having hosted his own series in February/March 2025, for four special shows.
How old is Darius Rucker?
He was born on 13th May 1966, making him 59-years-old at the time of writing.
Where is he from?
Born and raised in South Carolina, Darius is currently living in London. Although he said in a post on Instagram in January 2025: 'Nothing will ever replace the Carolinas and it is still home.'
Is Darius Rucker a host on Absolute Radio Country?
He was! From Sunday 23rd February 2025, Darius ran his own series of two-hour shows on Absolute Radio Country! Starting from 7pm each Sunday for four weeks, he shared his favourite country songs and career anecdotes to help listeners enjoy the final few hours of their weekend.
Check out some of the best bits from Darius Rucker's Absolute Radio Country series, and listen back.
Is Darius going on tour?
Yes! The country star is heading on a solo tour this year, visiting various UK arenas. As well as taking part in the CMA Songwriters Series at The O2 in March, he'll be touring in London, Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester and Belfast, between 29th September and 5th October 2025. He'll be joined by Jake Owen and The Shires.
Grand Ole Opry Live In London show
As Opry 100 celebrations continued throughout 2025, country fans rejoiced as the highly-anticipated lineup was announced for the historic Grand Ole Opry show taking place in London's Royal Albert Hall.
Marking the Opry's first ever international show, the bill certainly didn't disappoint, featuring Darius Rucker, Luke Combs, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce and Marty Stuart.
The show is set to take place on 26th September 2025, and featuring other UK artists, is set to be a night to remember!
Are Hootie & the Blowfish still together?
Yes! Despite a hiatus lasting just over a decade from 2008 to 2019, the band are still together. Led by Darius Rucker, the band is also made up of Mark Bryan, Jim 'Soni' Sonefeld and Dean Felber. They first formed in 1986 at the University of South Carolina, going on to release five studio albums — and are fresh off their 2024 tour 'Summer Camp With Trucks'.
New music
In 2024, Darius released 'Never Been Over' featuring Jennifer Nettles, from his 2023 album 'Carolyn's Boy'. The album is named after his mother, who died in 1992 after a heart attack. She's also the inspiration of Darius' first daughter, Carolyn Pearl Phillips.
As well continuing to release songs as part of his solo career, Darius' band Hootie & the Blowfish also released 'For What It's Worth' in 2024.
What are Darius Rucker's most successful solo songs?
'Wagon Wheel'
Perhaps the song that most springs to mind when thinking about Darius Rucker's solo career is 'Wagon Wheel', which has been certified 11x Platinum in the US! Released in 2013, the song has been watched almost 460 million times on YouTube.
'Alright'
Number 1 hit 'Alright' was released in 2009, and has been certified 3x Platinum in the US. And it's easy to see why, the upbeat song is easy to get stuck in your head. You can watch the music video below...
Hootie & the Blowfish's biggest songs
Hootie & the Blowfish's biggest songs are 1994 hits 'Hold My Hand' and 'Let Her Cry' and 1995 song 'Only Want To Be With You' from their debut album 'Cracked Rear View'. All three entered the UK chart, and made it in the US Top 10.
What awards has Darius won?
In 1995 Hootie & the Blowfish won Best New Artist and Best Pop Performance at the Grammys for 'Let Her Cry' — and the success has continued in the 30 years that have followed, with many award wins and nominations. Darius picked up a Grammy in 2013 as a solo artist (Best Country Solo Performance for 'Wagon Wheel'), followed by various country music award wins in 2018 and 2023.
Darius was also nominated for a CMT Music Award in 2011 for his collaboration with Adele, on 'Need You Now' and a Country Music Association Award for his version of 'Stuck on You' with Lionel Richie.
Movies and TV
Friends fans will remember a whole episode was centred around a Hootie & the Blowfish gig back in 1995, which Darius revealed in an interview with People Magazine was a complete surprise to the band. He told host Jason Sheller after the show aired, Hootie's manager revealed: "Oh yeah, they asked us to be on the show, but I turned them down." What?!
Darius also made a cameo in 2001 movie Shallow Hal, for which he recorded a song called 'This Is My World' — and featured in TV series Big Sky in 2020.
He also appeared as a mentor in a 2019 edition of The Voice US.
Is Darius married?
Yes, Darius married Beth Leonard in 2000.
Does he have children?
Yes, his daughter Carolyn was born in 1995 to his former girlfriend, Elizabeth Phillips. He also has two children, Daniella (born in 2001) and Jack (born in 2004) with his wife Beth Leonard.
Is Darius on social media?
Yes! You can follow Darius on Instagram and X at @dariusrucker.
Now check out all the country tours coming to the UK in 2025:
Max Mcnown - December
24-year-old Max Mcnown has risen to fame in the last few years, following the release of his 2023 single 'A Lot More Free'. So much so, he's added additional dates to his December tour, due to unprecedented demand. Max is now set to perform on the 2nd, 3rd, 9th and 10th December, visiting Glasgow, Manchester and London.
Buy tickets here!
Drew Baldridge - December
Drew Baldridge will be going on tour in December, performing four gigs in the UK, in Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and London, starting on Friday 5th December.
Drew's song 'She's Somebody's Daughter' helped him make history. This debut song became the first self-released debut song to reach Number 1 in the Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart.
Here You Come Again (musical) - 2026
If you can't catch the iconic Dolly Parton live in person - then why not treat yourself to the next best thing? That's right, for the first time ever, all of the legendary country singer's biggest and best hits were experienced in the new 'rollicking and joyous' musical comedy Here You Come Again! After an incredible run in 2024 and 2025 - which saw the show feature hits such as 'Jolene' and 'Islands In The Stream' - the musical is continuing into 2026.
Buy tickets here!
Nashville in Concert - February 2026
The stars of Nashville will be returning to the UK for a 2026 tour - two years after they were last on tour! Starting in Newcastle on 6th February, and travelling through Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Birmingham, London, Cardiff and finally Bournemouth on 15th. 'The Encore Tour' will see stars Clare Bowen, Charles Esten, Jonathan Jackson and Sam Palladio, performing songs from the hit TV show, along with some of their own original material.
Buy tickets here
Tyler Childers - March 2026
Tyler Childers, the singer behind the new album 'Snipe Hunter', has announced that he will be coming to the UK, as part of his 'On the Road Tour'. The newly announced shows will bring the acclaimed singer-songwriter to some huge venues, including Glasgow's OVO Hydro and Manchester's AO Arena in March 2026.
Kezia Gill - February 2026
Kezia Gill is set to head on her 'All On Red Tour' in February 2026, kicking off in Leeds on Tuesday 17th. She'll be joined by special guest Alyssa Bonagura as she visits Glasgow, Newcastle, Nottingham, Manchester, Norwich, London, Exeter and Portsmouth. She'll then conclude the tour in Bristol on Sunday 1st March.
Buy tickets here!
Jordan Davis - February/March 2026
In August 2025, Jordan announced he would be coming to the UK as part of his 'Ain't Enough Road Tour'. He will be performing across Europe, including Manchester, London, Glasgow and Birmingham.
C2C Country To Country - March 2026
Following another hugely successful year in 2025, C2C Country To Country will return in 2026, over the weekend of 13th-15th March, with headliners Zach Top, Keith Urban and Brooks & Dunn. Also performing will be Scotty McCreery, Russell Dickerson, Drake Milligan and more.
C2C will take place at London The O2, Glasgow OVO Hydro and Belfast SSE Arena.
Buy tickets here!
Tucker Wetmore - April 2026
Tucker Wetmore will be gracing the UK with FOUR tour dates in April 2026, performing in Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham and London. The singer, best known for 'Wine Into Whiskey', 'Wind Up Missin' You' and '3, 2, 1', released his debut album 'What Not To' in April 2025 - which peaked at Number 4 on the US Country charts. He also performed at the incredible Country 2 Country Festival in March 2025, sharing the bill with the likes of Lainey Wilson, Dierks Bentley and Cody Johnson.
Highways Festival - May 2026
Highways Festival will return to the Royal Albert Hall in May 2026, with a huge line-up on the bill. Jon Pardi, Carly Pearce and Emmylou Harris will headline, joined by Corey Kent, Kaitlin Butts and more from 15th-17th May.
Buy tickets here from 28th November
Garth Brooks 2026 - June 2026
Performing in the UK for the first time in three decades, country star Garth Brooks will headline BST Hyde Park in the summer. Known for putting on huge productions, Garth will take to the iconic stage on 27th June 2026, supported by soulful country singer Ashley McBryde and Zac Brown Band.
Buy tickets here!
Zach Bryan - June 2026
Zach Bryan will bring 'With Heaven On Tour' on to UK for four dates next summer. From Friday 12th June, he'll begin the UK leg in Liverpool, before heading through Edinburgh and London, concluding on Wednesday 17th June. He'll be supported by Dijon and Fey Fili.
Buy tickets here from 5th December
StateFayre - June 2026
A brand new festival celebrating Americana, rock and barbecue will come to Chelmsford in the summer. Headlined by Kings of Leon, Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts and The Lumineers, the festival will also feature Max McNown, The Black Crowes, Kingfishr, Elvis Costello & The Imposters with Charlie Sexton, Counting Crows, Amble, Dylan Gossett, Sierra Ferrell and more.
Buy tickets here from 28th November
Luke Combs - July/August 2026
Luke Combs will bring his 'My Kinda Saturday Night Tour' to the UK in the summer of 2026, visiting London and Edinburgh for a total of five dates between 24th July and 2nd August. He'll be joined by special guests Thomas Rhett, Ty Myers and The Castellows in Wembley, and The Teskey Brothers, Ty Myers and The Castellows in Edinburgh.
The Long Road Festival 2026 - August
August Bank Holiday 2026 will see the return of the three-day The Long Road Festival - celebrating the music, lifestyle and influences of Country! From Friday 28th - Sunday 30th August 2026, the festival returns to Stanford Hall estate in Leicestershire with a range of incredible artists across the five stages. The first headliner has been announced as Bailey Zimmerman, who will be taking to the stage on the Saturday night.
Buy tickets here!
Brothers Osborne - December 2026
Brothers Osborne will support The Darkness on their December 2026 UK tour, visiting seven arenas. From Tuesday 8th, they'll head to Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Brighton and London, concluding on 16th.
Buy tickets here from 28th November
Now read:
Stage artists confirmed for Country To Country Festival 2025
All of the biggest Country tours coming to the UK in 2025
Opry 100: Everything you need to know about The Grand Ole Opry's anniversary