DARIUS RUCKER FOLLOWS UP EUROPEAN TOUR WITH HEADLINING U.S. TOUR
Rucker Earns Three Additional Digital Single Certifications
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Nashville, Tenn. (Thursday, September 1, 2011) – Capitol Records Nashville recording artist Darius Rucker has rejoined Brad Paisley for the H2O II: Wetter and Wilder Tour, which kicked off last week at London’s famed O2 Arena and will continue through Ireland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark. The entertainers have been receiving rave reviews and having a great time, as noted by The Times (London), Maverick Magazine, and numerous uploaded fan videos showing the pair rocking the stage with Rolling Stones legend and surprise guest Ronnie Wood.
When Rucker returns stateside, he’ll be able to celebrate more than just his first European tour since his days with Hootie, as the singer will be headlining his first U.S. tour beginning this fall. Fans are sure to hear smash hits off both the platinum-selling country debut Learn to Live (2008) and the RIAA-Gold® certified Charleston, SC 1966 (2010), including his five No. 1 singles “Come Back Song” (newly certified Gold), “This” (newly certified Gold), “Alright” (newly certified Platinum), “It Won’t Be Like This For Long” (Gold), “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It” (Gold) and Rucker’s latest “I Got Nothin’,” which is currently climbing the Top 25. Joining Rucker for select dates will be Rodney Atkins, Frankie Ballard, Thompson Square, and Justin Moore.
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“I haven’t headlined a tour since Hootie, so to say I’m excited is an understatement,” says Rucker. “It has been such an incredible experience to tour with Paisley and Rascal Flatts, and I’ve learned a lot being on the road with them. With this tour, I’m just excited to perform again for our fans, and I’m thrilled to have Rodney, Frankie, Justin, and Thompson Square joining us.”
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Upcoming tour dates are as follows:
10/6 Glens Falls, NY w/ Rodney Atkins and Frankie Ballard
10/7 Indiana, PA w/ Rodney Atkins and Frankie Ballard
10/8 Syracuse, NY w/ Rodney Atkins and Frankie Ballard
10/20 Charlotte, NC w/ Rodney Atkins and Frankie Ballard
10/21 Raleigh, NC w/ Rodney Atkins and Frankie Ballard
10/22 Cincinnati, OH w/ Rodney Atkins and Frankie Ballard
10/23 Pikeville, KY w/ Rodney Atkins and Frankie Ballard
11/12 North Charleston, SC w/ Thompson Square and Justin Moore
* additional dates to be announced
* additional dates to be announced
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Darius Rucker signed with Capitol Records Nashville in 2007 and released his country debut, Learn to Live, in 2008 which landed at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart. His first record garnered three consecutive No. 1 singles and earned him the CMA New Artist of the Year Award. When Rucker returned to the studio with Frank Rogers to record his sophomore release, he penned 77 songs for the album with the last song written becoming the lead single, “Come Back Song.” The result was the chart-topping October 2010 release, Charleston, SC 1966, which has produced two No. 1’s with “Come Back Song” and “This.” USA Today raved, “Rucker has made a fine-sounding country album, full of singable choruses, bittersweet fiddle and steel, and guitars with bottomless twang,” and Rolling Stone said, “On his Nashville debut, Rucker’s rich baritone, sentimental ballads and bright hooks made him the most successful African-American country singer since Charlie Pride. Rucker amps up that formula on album number two.”
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Rucker’s shows center around the music found on his country albums, but occasionally, he will embrace his Hootie & The Blowfish heritage by turning “Let Her Cry” into a very sad, slow country tune or rely on the acoustic intro to “Hold My Hand” to rile up the crowd before the sultry lyrics pour out. As many times as we’ve all heard those hits, the renditions he has created with his band, The Carolina Grey Boys, create impressive countrified versions of the monster hits. With country chart-toppers peppering the set, it’s festive crowd favorites like “Family Tradition” and “Purple Rain” that truly showcase Rucker’s vocal prowess and remind you of just how deep his southern roots run.
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For a full list of appearances, please visit www.dariusrucker.com.
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About Rodney Atkins
Curb Records recording artist Rodney Atkins has been successfully leading the country music charts and selling albums since his career began in 2006 when he hit the scene with his first number one, “If You’re Going Through Hell,” which was also the Number One Country Song of the Year according to Billboard in 2006. The East Tennessee native has recorded three studio albums, Honesty, If You’re Going Through Hell and It’s America and charted seven Top 20 singles including five No. 1s: “If You’re Going Through Hell,” “Watching You,” “These Are My People,” “Cleaning This Gun (Come On In),” and “It’s America.” His hit “Farmer’s Daughter” is a platinum-selling single; increasing his single sales to over 4 million. He has also scored a platinum selling record and several gold releases. Atkins has been a staple on national television. He has performed or appeared on Good Morning America, The Today Show, CBS’ The Early Show, The Tonight Show, Extreme Home Makeover, CMA and ACM awards shows, to name a few.
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Atkins current single, “Take A Back Road”, was one of the most added records at country radio debut week. The single is from the upcoming October 4th release of the same name. Massey Ferguson® is the “official tractor” of Atkins for 2011. Atkins released an exclusive album with Cracker Barrel that features four number one hits including “Farmer’s Daughter” and an unreleased song. Atkins was the 2010 spokesman for the National Council for Adoption and is heavily involved within the organization. He was also the 2010 spokesman for the Chevy Silverado. Kraft Velveeta sponsored his “Best Side of Dinner” tour last summer and he was featured as the writer/singer on the national ad campaign for Velveeta Shells and Cheese. For more information on Rodney Atkins, visit www.rodneyatkins.com.
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About Frankie Ballard
Few debut artists can compare to Frankie Ballard’s impetuous breakthrough in the music scene as country’s guitar slinging heartthrob. In just one year, Ballard has already scored a Top Five video hit with his debut single “Tell Me You Get Lonely,” toured with rock star Uncle Kracker, starred in his own GAC web series, wrote a song on Billy Currington’s new CD, issued “A Buncha Girls” as his second radio single, staged his debut at the Grand Ole Opry and appeared on FOX & Friends. And if that wasn’t enough, Ballard opened 13 shows for Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer, Bob Seger, and just finished a run opening for superstar Taylor Swift on the North American leg of the “SPEAK NOW WORLD TOUR 2011.” Hailing from Battle Creek, Michigan, Ballard brings a fresh new sound with his unique blend of edgy, country rock and sheer, fleet-fingered guitar skills. For more information on Frankie Ballard, please visit www.frankieballard.com.
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About Justin Moore
Valory Music Co. recording artist Justin Moore’s star has grown significantly since he was named Billboard’s “Top New Country Artist of 2009.” This Southern Country stylist has sold over 1.2 million digital downloads to date and his sophomore album OUTLAWS LIKE ME hit the No. 1 spot the week it was released. OUTLAWS LIKE ME includes the fastest-rising single of Moore’s career, “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away,” which ascended to the No. 1 spot. His debut album scored three consecutive smash singles (the No. 1 “Small Town USA” as well as the hits “Backwoods” and “How I Got To Be This Way”). Additionally, his debut was recognized by The New York Times as one of the best albums of 2009. Moore is currently out on tour with Rascal Flatts and will hit the road with Miranda Lambert later this fall. For music and more, visit www.moorejustinmusic.com.
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About Thompson Square
Stoney Creek Records’ hot new duo, Thompson Square, burst on to the country music scene with the release of their self-titled debut album earning the No. 3 spot on the Top Country Albums chart; selling over 30k in the first week of sales making it the biggest album sales debut act in 2011. The Oklahoma-born Keifer Thompson and Alabama native Shawna Thompson joined forces as a duo, combining classic country and rock influences to forge a sound that is thoroughly modern but built on the bedrock of tradition. The husband-and-wife’s infectious hit single, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not,” enjoyed tremendous radio success reaching the coveted No. 1 spot on both country radio charts and selling over a million digital single sales. They have performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Conan, Fox & Friends and Fox’s Summer Concert Series, as well as been featured in Entertainment Weekly, People Country, Country Weekly, USA Today, The Washington Post and Billboard. Their current single, “I Got You,” is climbing up the radio charts currently at No. 17 on Billboard in just 13 short weeks.
