“If it wasn't for Kenny Rogers, I don't think I would be in country music. He was that guy when I was a kid - his music and 'Hee Haw' made me perk my ears up and made me say, 'What is this? I want to hear more of that.' He was that catalyst for me to start this whole run in country music.”

American singer, musician, and songwriter

Darius Rucker is an American singer, musician, and songwriter. He first became known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of Hootie & the Blowfish, the rock band he helped found in 1986 at the University of South Carolina. With the band, he was part of six studio albums and six top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. He also co-wrote most of the group’s songs with the other members, which shaped much of the work that brought him early fame.