On a recent trip to the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, some friends and I went horseback riding on a mountain trail.  One of our guides was quite loquacious and tried to make small talk throughout our adventure.  This was the same weekend as the Carolina/Tennessee game so naturally sports was the main topic, but he surprised me when he brought up Darius Rucker.  He knew Rucker was from South Carolina, had heard about his USC connection and was quite impressed with his country music CD.  It was nice to hear something positive about a South Carolina public figure.

Last night, Rucker won the "New Artist of the Year" award at the 43rd Annual Country Music Awards in Nashville.  I attended graduate school at USC in 1988 and remember fondly Rucker's vocals as lead singer with Hootie and the Blowfish on the local scene.  The band formed in 1986 and released their debut album, Cracked Rear View, in 1994.  I've always enjoyed Rucker's vocals, and it is no different with his country music deput which I am currently listening to.  If you were to remove some of the country guitar "twang," this music could easily crossover.  Congratulations to Rucker for finding a new niche and becoming the first African American artist to win a major CMA since Charley Pride.  

RCPL currently has on display, Hootie and the Blowfish: A Columbia Obsession, on the third level in our Local History Room.  Please be sure to check out this wonderful memorabilia collection.  

Thanks to the CMA and the young man on the horse trail who inspired me to give a listen to Rucker's latest CD project.  If you haven't listened to Hootie lately or would like to hear Darius's country music venture, check out the library's music collection for the CDs listed below.