Darius Rucker first gained fame as the lead singer and guitarist of the Grammy Award-winning rock band Hootie & the Blowfish, which he formed in 1986 at the University of South Carolina. After selling many platinum albums, the band broke up and Darius took on the challenge of becoming a country singer. It had been twenty-five years since the last African American artist had reached the number-one spot on the country charts and Darius Rucker got the job done with his single Don t Think I Don t Think About It.
"Darius has always been one of my favorite people to sing with and to call a friend in this industry and yet even knowing him well for as long as I have, there are so many incredible stories in Life's Too Short that I enjoyed learning for the first time.”—Sheryl Crow A raw, heartfelt memoir from Darius Rucker, the Grammy Award– winning country music sensation and multiplatinum-selling lead singer of Hootie & The Blowfish In 1986 Darius Rucker cofounded Hootie & The Blowfish at the University of South Carolina. What began as a party band playing frat houses and dive bars quickly became a global pop rock phenomenon through their multiplatinum-selling debut album, cracked rear view, which featured era-defining hit songs like “Only Wanna Be with You,” “Let Her Cry,” and “Hold My Hand.” Later, Darius would chart a pioneering path as a solo country music artist, with classic anthems like “Wagon Wheel” and “Alright.” Nearly forty years after the band’s formation, Darius tells his remarkable story through the lens of the songs that shaped him—from Al Green, Stevie Wonder, and KISS to Lou Reed, Billy Joel, Nanci Griffith, and so many more. Set against the soundtrack of his life, Darius recounts his childhood as the son of a single mother in Charleston, South Carolina. He traces the unlikely ascent of his band and shares wild tales of life on the road—but he also faces his missteps, defeats, and demons. As moving as it is entertaining, Life’s Too Short is a timeless book about a man and his music.
Hootie & the Blowfish’s drummer chronicles the band’s rise, fall, and rebirth, as well as his path from addiction to recovery and a more fruitful life. For a time, there was no bigger band in the world than Hootie & the Blowfish—rock & roll’s unexpected foil to the grunge music that dominated the early ’90s airwaves.?In Swimming with the Blowfish, Jim?Sonefeld, drummer and one of the band’s principal songwriters, reveals the inside story of the band’s humble beginnings, meteoric rise, sudden fall, and ultimate rebirth—and in the telling he opens his heart to readers about addiction, recovery, and faith. Hootie became ubiquitous in the ‘90s—their debut album Cracked Rear View was one of the best-selling in the history of rock music; they won two Grammy Awards; their live performances were played alongside the Dave Matthews Band, R.E.M., and even Willie Nelson and Neil Young; and they appeared at the biggest venues in the world. Though Jim enjoyed the perks that came with fame—the parties, the relationships, the money, the drugs and alcohol—eventually it all became a camouflage that hid a deeper spiritual malady. As his life was careening toward disaster, he reached out his hands to seek relief in twelve-step recovery, eventually settling into a loving, but by no means uncomplicated, homelife. A book that encapsulates a band still beloved by legions of fans, Swimming with the Blowfish is much more—an unpretentious, emotional story of one man’s spiritual path to a more fruitful life. Jim’s journey is shattering, redeeming, and ultimately as comforting as your favorite flannel shirt. Praise for Swimming with the Blowfish “I’ve truly relished hanging out with the fun-loving, mischievous ‘Soni’ through the years, but this book exposes a more deeply-rooted, impassioned side he didn’t always show. He captures the spirit of the surreal and sometimes unsettling life behind the scenes of one of my favorite bands, sincerely revealing that he is as fragile as the rest of us. It’s an eloquent yet humbling example of a lesson we can all learn from—that no degree of fame or fortune leaves us immune to experiencing pain, powerlessness, and regret.” —Dan Patrick, sports broadcaster and host of?The Dan Patrick Show? “Jim Sonefeld details his rollercoaster ride through rock and roll, addiction and sobriety with searing honesty and grace.” —Radney Foster, singer-songwriter of Foster & Lloyd and author of?For You?to?See?the?Stars
Experience the exclusive, behind-the-scenes story of one of the biggest bands of the nineties In 1985, Mark Bryan heard Darius Rucker singing in a dorm shower at the University of South Carolina and asked him to form a band. For the next eight years, Hootie & the Blowfish—completed by bassist Dean Felber and drummer Soni Sonefeld—played every frat house, roadhouse, and rock club in the mid-Atlantic and Southeast, becoming one of the biggest independent acts in the region. Thirty years after the band's major label debut, cracked rear view, author Tim Sommer pulls back the curtain on the band that defied record-industry odds to break into the mainstream by playing hacky sack music in the age of grunge. Only Wanna Be with You includes extensive new interviews with the band members and some of their most famous fans, as well as stories from the recording studio, tour bus, and golf course. Only Wanna Be with You is essential reading for Hootie lovers and music buffs.
(Piano/Vocal/Guitar Artist Songbook). All 13 songs from the 2010 chart-topping country album released by this former Hootie and the Blowfish frontman. Includes: Come Back Song * The Craziest Thing * I Don't Care * I Got Nothin' * In a Big Way * Love Will Do That * Might Get Lucky * She's Beautiful * Southern State of Mind * Things I'd Never Do * This * We All Fall Down * Whiskey and You.
What if practical inspiration could be as simple as an eye-opening, heartfelt song? From Grammy-winning star performer, husband, and father, Tim McGraw, comes a beautiful keepsake book, inspired by his uplifting hit, "Humble and Kind." Humble and Kind is the keepsake hardcover volume that combines the emotional power of Tim McGraw's uplifting #1 single and video "Humble and Kind" to elegant line illustrations in a gift book for all seasons. Inspired by McGraw's own life experience as his eldest child embarked on her college career, every parent and graduate can relate to Humble and Kind; with tender clarity, the words reinforce lessons for mindful, compassionate living. The song's pure poetry not only propelled the single up the charts, but its accompanying video-gorgeously produced with images courtesy of Oprah Winfrey's documentary "Belief" -has been viewed by tens of millions since its release, and inspired a community movement at stayhumbleandkind.com. Featuring an introduction from McGraw and an epilogue by the songwriter Lori McKenna, Humble and Kind is a deeply affecting call to action, and the perfect memento for millions of graduates, parents, and children across the continent.
Darius Rucker's Life: Stories of Family, Divorce, and Redemption Take a close look at Darius Rucker's life in this engaging biography. From his early days in South Carolina to the big stages, discover the untold stories that shaped the country music star. Learn about his family, the highs and lows of his music career, and the personal challenges he faced. Explore the ups and downs of Rucker's life journey, from the excitement of Hootie and the Blowfish's success to his bold move into country music. Dive into his personal life, from happy moments in marriage to the tough times of divorce. Feel the emotions as he balances fame with being a dad and reflects on the impact of his mother's absence. "The Life of Darius Rucker" is more than just a list of achievements. It's a story of facing challenges with strength. Experience the triumphs and tough times that shaped Rucker's path and gain insights into his views on fame and being true to yourself. As you read through the pages, get ready to be drawn into Rucker's authentic story. This biography celebrates an artist who reinvented himself, finding redemption through his music. Don't miss out on this heartfelt journey. Pick up your copy of "The Life of Darius Rucker" now and be ready for a touching exploration of one man's remarkable life.
A thoughtfully curated and gloriously illustrated retrospective of the band’s studio releases, Queen, comes just in time for the 45th anniversary of their debut LP and biopic. Formed in 1970, Queen went on to become one of the most popular—and most successful—rock bands of all time. Even following the untimely death of beloved and magnetic frontman Freddie Mercury, and nearly 50 years after their formation, interest in the band has continued, evidenced by scores of reissues, arena tours with surviving members, and a feature-film biopic. In this new installment in Voyageur Press’s Album by Album series, rock journo Martin Popoff convenes a cast of 19 Queen experts and superfans to discuss all 15 of the band’s studio albums (including their soundtrack for the 1980 film Flash Gordon). Panelists include Queen experts, rock journalists, musicians, and record industry figures. The results are freewheeling discussions delving into the individual songs, the circumstances that surrounded the recording of each album, the band and contemporary rock contexts into which they were released, and more. The engaging text of this beautifully designed book is illustrated throughout with rare live performance and candid offstage photography, as well as scads of rare Queen ephemera. The Album by Album series is a unique approach to the rock bio, injecting the varied voices of several contributors. The results have even the most diehard fans rushing back to their MP3 players (or turntables) to confirm the details and opinions expressed!
"Darius Rucker: From Hootie Hits to Country Classics" transports readers to a spectacular trip over the extraordinary career of a genre-defying musical icon. This in-depth biography dives deep into the life of a multifaceted artist who made a smooth transition from rock stardom to country success, from his early days as the frontman of Hootie & the Blowfish, where he rocked the world with soulful anthems like "Hold My Hand" and "Only Wanna Be with You," to his groundbreaking solo career in country music. Discover the touching tale of a little Charleston, South Carolina, child who overcame obstacles and enjoyed life to the fullest while pursuing his love of music. Track Rucker's progress at the University of South Carolina, where he made friends and collaborators for the rest of his life. Watch Hootie & the Blowfish soar to fame, experience their fantastic success, and ultimately decide to go alone. Learn how Rucker's entry into the country music scene with the album "Learn to Live" broke down barriers and dispelled misconceptions, resulting in a run of number-one songs and praise from critics. Discover how hit songs were written, how his setbacks and victories influenced his music, and how his relentless commitment drove him to the top of the country charts. This book gives readers a deep understanding of Rucker as an artist who has continuously reinvented himself while remaining loyal to his origins through perceptive observations from colleagues, admirers, and Rucker himself. "Darius Rucker: From Hootie Hits to Country Classics" pays homage to a performer whose influence transcends genres, touching audiences and spurring generations of musicians with his selfless talent, charitable endeavors, and poignant storytelling. Come along on an uplifting trip through the life and music of pioneer Darius Rucker, whose voice and vision have permanently impacted country and rock music. Anyone who enjoys music, values tenacity, or believes in the potential of transformation should read this fascinating book. "Darius Rucker: From Hootie Hits to Country Classics" transports readers to a spectacular trip over the extraordinary career of a genre-defying musical icon. This in-depth biography dives deep into the life of a multifaceted artist who made a smooth transition from rock stardom to country success, from his early days as the frontman of Hootie & the Blowfish, where he rocked the world with soulful anthems like "Hold My Hand" and "Only Wanna Be with You," to his groundbreaking solo career in country music. Discover the touching tale of a little Charleston, South Carolina, child who overcame obstacles and enjoyed life to the fullest while pursuing his love of music. Track Rucker's progress at the University of South Carolina, where he made friends and collaborators for the rest of his life. Watch Hootie & the Blowfish soar to fame, experience their fantastic success, and ultimately decide to go alone. This book gives readers a deep understanding of Rucker as an artist who has continuously reinvented himself while remaining loyal to his origins through perceptive observations from colleagues, admirers, and Rucker himself. "Darius Rucker: From Hootie Hits to Country Classics" pays homage to a performer whose influence transcends genres, touching audiences and spurring generations of musicians with his selfless talent, charitable endeavors, and poignant storytelling. Come along on an uplifting trip through the life and music of pioneer Darius Rucker, whose voice and vision have permanently impacted country and rock music. Anyone who enjoys music, values tenacity, or believes in the potential of transformation should read this fascinating book.
Darius Rucker: From Charleston to Country Stardom Uncover the inspiring journey of Darius Rucker, from his humble beginnings in Charleston to his reign as a country music icon. This captivating biography delves deep into the life and career of a true American original. Discover the raw talent and unwavering determination that propelled Rucker from the frontman of Hootie & the Blowfish to a solo superstar. Witness his triumphant transition into country music, breaking barriers and redefining the genre. Explore his philanthropic endeavors, his unwavering commitment to family, and the enduring impact he's made on music and culture. Get ready to be captivated by an unforgettable story of triumph, resilience, and the power of human spirit. Unleash your curiosity and order your copy today!
