Darius Rucker Says He’s Grateful He Gets To Do What He Loves, But Admits There’s A

Country star Darius Rucker said he still doesn’t know how he’s getting to do the job he loves, and he’s grateful, but admitted the downside is being away from his kids.

The 56-year-old country singer opened up about his career, making the switch to country music after 15 years as the lead man for the pop group “Hootie and the Blowfish,” and the heartache of spending so much time on the road.

“The moment I knew it was time was when we had a meeting and we said we [Hootie and the Blowfish] weren’t going to tour … anymore like that, so I knew it was time to go to Nashville and see if I could do it,” Rucker told Fox News.

“When I very first started, there was a lot of naysayers and everything, but once ‘Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It’ hit, I think acceptance started,” he added.

The song debuted in 2008, and in a few short months skyrocketed up the chart to the number one spot. Since that time, he’s released four country music albums — with numerous songs going to the top of the charts — and was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2012.

“I have no idea why any of this is happening. I just know I’m enjoying it,” the country star told the outlet. “I’ve wanted to play music since I was 4 and I’m getting to do it at 56 still so I think that’s pretty cool.”

“The only hard thing about being on the road is being away from your kids,” he added. “That’s the only hard part. Everything else is gravy. But you know being away from the family and not seeing them as much as you can … is tough, but it’s your job.”

Rucker was previously married to Beth Leonard from 2000-2020, and the two share two kids. The singer also has a daughter from a previous relationship.

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The singer also told the outlet that what he loves about Country music is that it’s “real. It’s stories and it’s life. It’s what music is supposed to be.”

“It touches you in the way I think music’s supposed to touch you,” he added. “And it’s just getting bigger and bigger and doing its thing. It’s all about the songs and that’s what country music is about, the song.”

Related: Kacey Musgraves, Reese Witherspoon Announce Plans For ‘Inclusive’ Country Music Competition Series