Our Country RoadCountry Music news and reviews

Darius Rucker allowed Fox News to follow him around for a day at CMA Fest last week. Check out the video of Darius doing soundchecks and signing during a busy day in Nashville.

Darius Rucker talks Mouthpiecesports about his love of the NFL and his transition to country music. Check it out.

What do ice cold Coke Zero(tm), hot country music, lightning-fast stock car racing and a delicious meal from LongHorn(r) Steaks have in common? Together they add up to the “Coke Zero Track & Tunes” sweepstakes with Darius Rucker and LongHorn Steakhouse.

LongHorn Steakhouse guests can register for a chance to win an exclusive trip to the 2010 Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway, which includes a pre-race VIP experience and special seating for the pre-race concert featuring country music sensation Darius Rucker.

“Coke Zero Tracks & Tunes” is the final event in a series of three promotions that give fans the chance to attend exclusive sporting events and live concerts by Darius Rucker. Rucker is part of LongHorn’s “Live at LongHorn” country music program in partnership with Coke Zero and Capitol Records Nashville.

“Through this exciting partnership with Coke Zero and Darius Rucker, LongHorn Steakhouse has sent people to premier sports events such as the PGA TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP and the NCAA(r) Men’s Final Four(r), and given them the opportunity to get ‘up close and personal’ with one of country music’s hottest stars,” said John Fadool, Executive Vice President of Marketing for LongHorn Steakhouse. “Music is a special part of LongHorn’s heritage, and we’re proud to support country music while offering our guests the chance to win exclusive prize packages.”

Grand prize packages worth $2,500 each will be awarded to two lucky winners. Each package includes an all-expenses paid trip to Daytona for two people, two grandstand tickets for the 2010 Coke Zero 400, access to the Coke Zero VIP Club, a VIP pre-race experience and special viewing for the Darius Rucker pre-race concert. Winner accommodations include four days/three nights at one of Daytona’s top hotels.

In addition to the grand prize, eligible participants have the chance to win merchandise including LongHorn gift cards, Apple iPod Touch players and Coca-Cola Racing Family autographed items. For more information about the sweepstakes and how to enter, visit www.CokeZero.com/longhorn. Entries will be accepted from May 17th through June 6th.

CNN’s coverage of Nashville’s Flood continued last night, when they visited the Vince Gill and Friends Flood Benefit. As we told you earlier today, Vince and friends like Keith Urban and Darius Rucker raised over 1.7 million for flood relief.

Great performances last night in a show packed with the top artists in country music. Here are some pictures of the stars in action courtesy of cmt.com.

Billy Currington shows how Country Boys Roll!!

Darius Rucker along with his former band members from Hootie and the Blowfish hosted their annual “Monday After the Masters” charity golf tournament at the Dye Club in Myrtle Beach, SC. In its 16th year, the tournament raises money for a variety of charities that benefit children in South Carolina. The event, started by the members of Hootie and the Blowfish, has grown to annually include plenty of celebrities and professional golfers.

“We’ve got [PGA Tour golfer] Jim Furyk, [PGA Tour golfer] John Daly, [NFL Hall of Fame QB] Dan Marino,” said musician Darius Rucker of Hootie and the Blowfish. “It’s always a great group of celebrities and pros that come out to support us. Come out and see one of your favorites.” The celebrity field’s main concern is raising money; but make no mistake, there is pride on the line. Each pro-am team has at least one celebrity and one professional, and these golfers are playing to win. “This year Furyk’s on my team, so I plan to win it,” Rucker said. “I like to win every other year.”

This year’s winning group was led by PGA Player DJ Trahan and country music star, Steve Azar at -18 under par. In addition to Rucker and Azar, the country music world was also represented by former golf pro Colt Ford and Jack Ingram.

Check out more information about Monday After the Masters by following the link. You can also find pictures and video from The Sun News.

Source

I think the ACM Awards are going to be 6 hours long this year. They can not possibly cram any more performers into one awards show. Today, the Academy of Country Music unveiled a few more performers to add to the list. The new additions are Billy Currington, Darius Rucker, Rascal Flatts and Miranda Lambert.

Toby Keith will also be on hand to perform “Cryin’ For Me” with sax player Dave Koz. Dierks Bentley and Jack Ingram will be playing together and are expected to sing “Barbie Doll”, their collaboration from Ingram’s latest album. Also added to the lineup is John Fogerty who launched a country album in 2009. Performers who were previously announced for the April 18 show include Laura Bell Bundy, Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton & Trace Adkins, Lady Antebellum and Reba McEntire, set to host for the 12th time in her career.

The ACMs are getting close. Sunday, April 18th at 8 pm on CBS is the place to be for this tremendous event. Be sure to set your DVR to catch all the great performances.

Source

On Saturday afternoon, Darius Rucker performed for college basketball fans from all over the country in Indianapolis. We reported last week that the Coke Zero concert would be streaming live on Facebook but in case you missed it, here are two videos from the show.

I did happen to watch most of Darius’ set. I love how he mixes his country album with his Hootie hits along with a few covers. Though I was not able to find a good version of it, he played a great cover of Jamey Johnson’s “In Color”. He also covered Hank Williams Jr.’s “Family Tradition”. I can’t wait to see him this summer when he comes around with Brad Paisley and the “H2O Tour”.