Y101

Darius Rucker is making progress on his second country CD. He has about six songs in the can so far for the follow-up to his platinum-selling debut, Learn To Live. The new project is due out sometime later this year.

Darius says this time around, finding co-writers and great songs is no problem, thanks to the success of Learn To Live, which has sold more than a million copies and charted three consecutive Number One hits.

He said, "Everybody's pitching songs and calling me to write, and (producer) Frank (Wilson) says he's never had a record that more people want to get on than this one. I'm writing with as many people as I can, and if I hear something amazing, we'll cut it."

Darius continues touring steadily with headliner Rascal Flatts, but he says that in the future there will likely be another Hootie & The Blowfish record and tour. He said, "I don't know if it'll be soon, but it'll happen. I'm sure (the other members) want to be out playing, but I think they understand my situation and I think they're pretty happy and proud of me."

Darius talked about his career on Y101 with Nancy Stapleton live from Scotiabank Place. Darius made a lot of new friends as he opened the recent Rascal Flatts concert.

Learn To Live was released in 2008. Last year, Darius won the CMA's New Artist of the Year award.
He was the first African-American to win the award, and the only the second to ever win a CMA award. The first was Charley Pride, who won both Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist in the 70s.

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