ADVERTISEMENT

AOL Radio

Listen to AOL Radio Now
play arrow
Top Country - Today's Hottest Hits
Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts
play arrow
'90s Country - '90s Biggest Hits
Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, George Strait
play arrow
New Country First - Today's new country hits
Keith Urban, Toby Keith, Sugarland
Online Radio Guide

Exclusive Interviews

Chats with your favorite country stars.

Exclusive Performances

Watch live, in-studio performances.

Blogroll

Darius Rucker Wins 2009 CMA Best New Artist

Darius Rucker"Wow, what a year!" Darius Rucker exclaimed, beaming as he accepted the CMA Award for Best New Artist.

And what a year it's been indeed. The former Hootie and the Blowfish singer has seen his debut country album, 'Learn to Live,' reach platinum sales status and score three back-to-back No. 1 singles this year, topping it off with this huge industry win.

"Thank you to my wife and three kids who sacrifice everyday," Darius continued in his acceptance speech. "Thank you, Mike Dungan [President, Capitol Records Nashville] -- everybody told you you were crazy and this wouldn't work. To the fans, thank y'all for accepting me. To country radio, you took a chance on a pop singer from Charleston, South Carolina, and God bless y'all for that!"

The Boot talked to Darius earlier in the day and asked if it feels weird to be labeled a "new artist," after being in the business for more than 16 years.

"Not at all, because I feel brand-new in country!" he told us with a smile.

Darius is only the second African-American artist to take home a CMA Award, following Charley Pride, who was named Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist back in 1971.

"I never thought about it that way -- that I was an African-American making a country record. I just thought about making a country record," Darius told reporters backstage when asked about the historical significance of his win. "But I'm proud to be that guy who's taking up where Charley left off and making country music that people want to listen to."

All the AOL Music info you want to know

BET Awards 2012 Nominations: Beyonce,…

The Boombox

BET The 2012 BET Awards nominees have been announced and the categories…

Chris Brown, 'Don't Wake Me Up' -- New…

AOL Radio Blog

RCA Chris Brown has released a new single titled 'Don't Wake Me Up' from…

Watch Black Sabbath O2 Show, Six Feet…

Noisecreep

Kevin Winter, Getty Images If you weren't lucky enough to be at the Bill…

See all AOL Music »

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum

66 Comments

Filter by:
fan4darius

Why is it a "big deal" and people get rattled when we talk abut the first Black but not a "big deal" when talk about the first woman, or the first Canadian (Terri Clark) or the first Native American, Australian, Irish etc. Maybe it just good that the CMA is celebrating its diversity and the fact that good music, even good country music comes in a variety of packages.

November 28 2009 at 12:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
susan

DARIUS RUCKER...I LOVE YOUR SONGS...you are super-talented. I noticed that at the music awards, everytime that your name was called, the audience screamed really loud. This means that you have a lot of fans out there!
They made a great choice when you were voted favorite new artist. I liked you from the hooty days, but I am a country girl loyal to my country music...I'm glad to see you singing my kind of music.

November 14 2009 at 9:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
rhett08

yes darius is a black man, but honestly i love country music and he has some of the best ive heard. keep it up buddy.

November 14 2009 at 10:14 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
gmkelly3

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised at the level of vitriol seen in a number of the posts on the topic of Darius Rucker’s CMA New Artist win. None the less, as an African-American woman who loves all genres of music but with a “sho’ nuff “ sweet spot for country music, I am just reminded and saddened how far we all have yet to progress when it comes to issues regarding race and ethnicity. For those who are in denial of the African-American influence on and in country music, please go have a conversation with Hank Wiliams Jr. and let him school you on that topic. Or better yet, perhaps CMT should consider re-running the fine documentary they aired several years back titled “Waiting in the Wings”. From the likes of DeFord Bailey, the first Black star of the Grand Old Opry, to “Tee-Tot” Payne, the musician who taught Hank Williams, Sr., or to Ray Charles’ landmark recording “Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music”, or to cardiologist turned country singer Cleve Francis who admirably attempted to end the drought since Charley Pride, the African American footprint in the country music genre has been broad, deep and long. Congratulations to Mr. Rucker on his win and for adding to tradition and legacy. He’s made us proud.

November 14 2009 at 10:04 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
dvldogdw

Darius,

Congrats on your win , my wife and I enjoy your music and we look forward to your next album. To those who work hard and make good decisions and help others along the way , are those whom deserve the success.

November 14 2009 at 9:20 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
fn88

What a bunch of BS! A "New Artist," he has been a professional singer for over 16 years!! The only reason he won this award is because he is black. Give the award to the real New Artist.

November 12 2009 at 7:26 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
gr8bsn

He finally gets recognition for the BK Chicken Ranch song.

November 12 2009 at 12:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Firehaven

I think it matters how talented this man is...and he is...not what color he is...to even mention it is latent racism...he is a supremely talented man who makes great music...that's why he won the award...not because of his skin color...everytime the media makes a big deal out of race, a rift is created...I just wish it could be about people...without the qualifier of race.

November 12 2009 at 12:39 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mary

Darius Rucker is a good singer and entertainer. Congrats to his win. There are not that many black people making country music recordings so we don't hear from them. That is the main reason there have not been more blacks receiving awards. Nothing to get excited about. I don't remember Charley Pride being treated with anything but respect for all these years. There are plenty of whites doing rap music but no one points that out.

November 12 2009 at 12:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
radio1hq

Neal McCoy, Billy's Got His Beer Goggles On

November 12 2009 at 12:20 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply