Darius Rucker Becomes the Grand Ole Opry’s Newest Member
Darius Rucker is officially the Grand Ole Opry’s newest member. The ‘True Believers’ singer was inducted into the iconic country music institution during a Tuesday night (Oct. 16) Opry performance before a packed crowd of family, fans and industry friends.
Vince Gill and Opry general manager Pete Fisher were on hand to welcome Rucker into the Opry family. “This is about a proud a thing that I have in my house,” Gill said, referring to the statues made of wood from the Ryman Auditorium that are given to each new Grand Ole Opry member. “This represents the entire history of this music. 87 years this show has been on the air, country music going worldwide.”
He continued, “I don’t think there is a more beloved guy in our music than you. You will find this place right here to be one of the greatest homes you’ll ever have.”
A slew of artists filmed congratulations videos for Rucker, which were shown throughout the evening. The clips included well-wishes from Ricky Skaggs, Radney Foster, Jason Aldean, bluegrass artist Sam Bush, Charlie Daniels, Rascal Flatts, golf legend Tiger Woods and Brad Paisley, Rucker’s recent tourmate who also issued his invitation to become a member of the famed institution. Rucker told press members prior to the event that Carrie Underwood left a bottle of wine and a congratulations backstage for him.
“When I started this a few years ago, Brad and I were produced by the same guy. The two people who were really my champions were Brad and Vince,” Rucker said of having Paisley and Gill be part of his big night. “Vince had heard a lot of [Rucker's debut album, 'Learn To Live'] and was telling everybody how great it was and it’s just wild to me now, four or five years later here I am getting inducted into the Opry and those two guys were a big part of that.”
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the evening was the two unexpected guests to the Opry stage. Keith Urban and NFL star Dan Marino both made unannounced appearances to support Rucker’s induction. Urban is himself a new member of the Grand Ole Opry, having been inducted in April.
“Thank you so much for letting me into your world, accepting what I do, and now I’m a member of the Opry,” Rucker told Opry crowd before performing his first song as an Opry member, his first single ‘Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It.’
“I was sitting here in rehearsals today and there was nobody in here and I looked up in the stands and I thought to myself, ‘Somewhere in those stands my mom is looking at me,’ and it just blew me away,’” he continued. “This is a labor of love for me. I love country music.”
Annual Book Sale at Willard Library Set for June 1st
The area's largest one day book sale will feature books from nearly every genre along with other materials for purchase.
‘Koalaing’ Could Be the Cutest Web Photo Trend Yet
Forget (if you haven't already) milking, planking, hadokening, any of those-ings that were internet fads for a hot minute. They've been replaced. They're done. Koalaing -- that's the trick o' the day. It involved clinging as tightly to a pole or tree as possible like a koala. It's pretty adorable. Check it out.
Chris Young Doesn’t Feel Pressure When It Comes to Fourth Album
With a string of No. 1 singles – 'Tomorrow' and 'You' from 2011's 'Neon,' and 'Gettin' You Home,' 'The Man I Want to Be' and 'Voices,' from 2009's 'The Man I Want to Be'-- there are expectations surrounding Chris Young's upcoming fourth album. But as for pressure? Pft. He's feeling none of that.
Remember When George Strait Went to Prison?
It was the wildest show behind bars, and George Strait was in the thick of it for one year in the early '80s. He wasn't the only one. Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Tom T. Hall … they all did time behind the walls of the Huntsville Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Dierks Bentley Says Third Baby Was ‘Kinda Planned, Kinda Unplanned’
Dierks Bentley, with decidedly shorter hair, spoke to a Jacksonville radio station during an appreciation event for the military and revealed how his wife Cassidy let him know that their third bundle of joy was on the way. The pregnancy, according to Bentley, was sort of a surprise, but not really.
Would Keith Urban Return to ‘American Idol’?
Most average people hate their jobs, toiling away to earn a wage and to make ends meet. It is a rare and precious few who get to do what they love for a living, and Keith Urban is one of those fortunate folks when it comes to being a judge on the embattled 'American Idol.' The singer and guitarist wants to return to his seat for Season 13 in 2014 and with good reason.
Deer Goes Crazy After Crashing Into a Bus
May 18, 2013 12:00 PM I have had my fair share of run ins with deer. Living in the country, it's just a way of life. You must, during the early morning hours and evening/night hours, constantly be on alert and have your eyes scanning the sides of the road.
Once, on a trip back to Indiana from Tennessee, a deer came inches away from slamming through the passenger side window of my car, injuring my son. Luckily, the deer hit the front of the windshield and rolled off the hood of the car. But in the case of this bus, it came right through the window and went crazy!!
Trick Shot Videos That Would Make LeBron and Tiger Jealous
May 18, 2013 8:00 AM Trick shot videos can be pretty amazing depending on how elaborate they are, which in some cases might even make you question their authenticity. The first Video is one of the most incredible basketball shots you will ever see featuring a guy falling from a 100-goot platform and dropping the ball through the hoop. The second video might be the greates trick golf shot ever and definitely a one-in-a-million shot.
‘Sixty for Sixty’ Campaign for George Strait Falls Short
May 18, 2013 4:00 AM George Strait turns 61 years old TODAY! The "Sixty for Sixty" campaign to get George his 60th #1 single while he was still 60 years old didn't quite make it, "Give It All We Got Tonight" has only made it to #10. But, that's OK, there is no one like George Strait and there quite possibly never will be. Several, I mean tons, of artists made videos to try and urge fans to buy the single. It is very touching. Watch them give love and admiration to the king of country music.
Quadruplets Laughing at Their Dad Will Make Your Weekend
May 17, 2013 8:00 PM This video may not have any real social significance and it's certainly not the most news worthy story of the day. However, with everything going on in the world today and on the nightly newscasts, sometimes we just need something to remind us that life is good and humanity can be a beautiful thing.