Darius Rucker's Grand Ole Opry Induction Airing Live on GAC TONIGHT!

Darius Rucker will be inducted as the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry tonight, and GAC is airing it live. The special edition of Noteworthy at the Opry airs at 9 p.m. ET. Vince Gill and Martina McBride are also slated to perform on the show. A pre-taped look back at Darius's career and well wishes from the likes of Brad Paisley will also be part of GAC program. As a new member of the Opry, Darius promises to keep up his end of the bargain performing at the Opry on a regular basis. He says, "I’m dedicated to this.  I’m not the kind of guy who becomes a member and then gets lost. That’s not how I live.” When Darius stands on that Opry stage for his induction, he'll be thinking about the long line of country legends that have gone before him too. He says actually being a member now is "pretty damn awesome."

Darius Rucker Accepts Invitation to Join Grand Ole Opry.

Congratulations to Darius Rucker, who accepted an invitation to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry Tuesday night. Opry member Brad Paisley surprised Darius with the invite during Tuesday night's show as part of a fake question and answer session. Brad stood up in the audience and popped the question to Darius, and he said yes to the Opry invite. Darius shed tears at the good news. He said backstage after the invite, "I was totally, totally taken by surprise today, and I’m amazed that everybody in my life knew, and they’re all here. I didn’t know any of them were here until I walked off the stage."
As for getting the invitation from his pal Brad, Darius says, "There is nobody in the business that I would have wanted to do that more than Brad Paisley. If I was to choose the person to ask me to join, it would’ve been Brad." Brad later tweeted that inviting Darius to join the Opry was one of the greatest honors of his life. He told his friend, "Welcome to your new home pal." Darius's Opry induction will air live on GAC's Noteworthy at the Opry on the night of October 16. Darius is the first African American artist to join the Opry since Charley Pride became a member in 1993.

Check Out The Video!

Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum and More Join Celebs Singing ‘Hey Jude’ to Help the Children of St. Jude

Some of country music’s most beloved stars have joined their fellow celebrities from the world of entertainment in recording a new version of the Beatles classic ‘Hey Jude’ to help raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. A new clip released online shows Alabama front man Randy Owen, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Big and Rich and Darius Rucker all contributing lines to the new track, which is encouraging fans to donate money to help fight childhood disease. The verses culminate with comic actor Robin Williams delivering the song’s climactic scream before the children of St. Jude and members of the staff are joined for the chorus by a host of stars from TV and film, including Betty White, Jimmy Kimmel, Ellen DeGeneres and Marlo Thomas, whose father Danny Thomas founded St. Jude.

Thomas’s son Tony Thomas produced the ‘Hey St. Jude’ video, which was created to highlight September as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. St. Jude is one of the most important children’s charities in the world, providing free treatment to children suffering from catastrophic disease and leading the scientific world in research into cures and prevention. For a donation of $35, you can not only support the needs of sick children, you will also receive a t-shirt like the one in the ‘Hey Jude’ clip. For more information, visit this link.

(Taste Of Country)

Darius Rucker Releases His "Defiant" New Single "True Believers"

Darius Rucker's new single, "True Believers," hits the airwaves this week as the first single from his third country album, due out next year.  Darius co-wrote the song with hit Nashville writer Josh Kear, who brought in the initial idea for "True Believers." "It’s such a defiant song for me -- the message that, ‘My life works for me, whether it’s what you agree with or not,’" Darius says,  "and it’s something I am really proud of as a singer and a writer." As for his next album, Darius plans to offer fans something a little different.  He says, "It’s really all about the songs, and I think ‘True Believers’ is a great sample of what’s to come from my third album."

Jerrod Niemann Serenades Patients at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital in Nashville.

Jerrod Niemann recently serenaded patients at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville to kick off the 11th Annual Weekly Bedside Performance Program for Musicians on Call Nashville. He sang his latest single, "Shinin' on Me," as part of the program, which brings live music to the bedside of patients in healthcare facilities. Jerrod is a big supporter of Musicians on Call. He says, "You get to meet all of these wonderful children and their families. They are going through such a difficult time and I hope my music can make a difference by brightening their day." Jerrod got a lot out of participating in the program too. "It was such an incredible experience to perform," Jerrod explains. "All these children have definitely made a difference in my life." Trace Adkins, Lady Antebellum, Kellie Pickler and Darius Rucker are among the stars who've participated in the Musicians on Call program in the past. For more information, go to MusiciansonCall.org. "Shinin' on Me" is the lead single from Jerrod's new album, Free the Music, due out October 2.

Lady Antebellum Includes Live Concert Footage in New "Dancing Away with My Heart" Video.

Lady Antebellum filmed their new video for "Dancing Away with My Heart" while out on their Own the Night tour. The black and white clip starts off with each band member recalling their first dance.
Charles: "I think the first dance I ever had was in middle school. It was to Tim McGraw's 'Don't Take the Girl.'"

Hillary: "The first time I ever remember dancing was with my dad in my living room when I was five years old. It was a really goofy, fun little dance that I had with my dad."

Dave: "I remember my first dance was to Garth Brooks' 'The Dance' back in seventh grade. My heart was racing, but it was definitely a moment I'll never forget."

The "Dancing Away with My Heart" video gives viewers a peek at Lady A's impressive concert set up. Don't forget! Wolf listeners can get your tickets to see Lady A along with Darius Rucker & Thompson Square at Bethel Woods on June 13th...EARLY! Today from 10am - midnight go to bethelwoodscenter.org and enter the access code WOLF for this special pre-sale!!

The Wolf Country Megaticket is here!!

The Wolf Country Megaticket is on the way!! One ticket, 3 Shows!

June 13th- Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker & Thompson Square.
August 10th- Brad Paisley & The Band Perry
August 26th- Jason Aldean & Luke Bryan

Just by being a Wolf Listener, you have a chance to get your Wolf Counrty Megaticket before anyone else with a special pre-sale this Thursday (Feb 16th) beginning at 10am and only lasting until midnight! Head to megaticket.com and enter the access code "WOLF" for the pre-sale!

Music Video Of The Day - Darius Rucker "Alright"

Your Music Video Of The Day - Darius Rucker "This"

Your Music Video Of The Day - Darius Rucker "It Won't Be Like This For Long"

The First Round of Performers for This Summer's CMA Fest

They just announced the first round of performers and I can honestly say, they didn't hold back.

The performers are . . . Trace Adkins, Sheryl Crow, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Reba McEntire, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton and Keith Urban.

And yes, more names will be announced in the coming weeks. The CMA Fest runs June 9th through June 12th in Nashville.

Click Here To Follow The Schedule!

Music Video of the Day: Darius Rucker - It won't be like this for long

Brad Paisley & Darius Rucker On ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’

Brad Paisley and Darius Rucker made an appearance on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live on Tuesday (11/16). They sang a song in honor of ‘National UnFriend Day.’ Before the show Paisley tweeted, “Be sure & watch @JimmyKimmel Live tonight, Me & Darius are singing a duet about a cause that’s near and dear to our hearts. Real tear jerker.” Gotta love his sense of humor!

Check it out:

Music Video Of The Day: Darius Rucker - Come Back Song