Darius Rucker - Chat and Full Set

Darius Rucker performs alongside the BBC Concert Orchestra from BBC Maida Vale studios for Radio 2’s Piano Room Month.

Darius formed his Grammy Award-winning band Hootie & The Blowfish in 1986 in South Carolina, having a top ten album in the UK in 1996 - Fairweather Johnson. He released his debut solo album, an RnB record called Back To Then in 2002, before adjusting his music to become a country singer. In 2009, he became the first black American to win the New Artist Award from the Country Music Association and since then has had several hits in the US country charts. He released his most recent solo album Carolyn's Boy in 2023 and last year formed a new supergroup with R.E.M.'s Mike Mills and Steve Gorman from The Black Crowes, called Howl Owl Howl.

Darius said: “It’s an honour to be invited to join the BBC Concert Orchestra for Radio 2’s Piano Room sessions at the historic Maida Vale Studios. I’ve spent a lot of time over the last few years writing, touring, recording and meeting so many incredible musicians in London, many of whom have recorded Piano Room sessions that have gone on to be some of my favourite performances to listen to. I’ve always loved the unique production this series brings to the music, so this is such a pinch-me moment.”

Back for its fifth year, Radio 2 Piano Room Month sees globally-famous, award-winning artists perform three tracks - a new song, one of their well-known numbers, and an unexpected cover version - all accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra.

A BBC Audio production for BBC Radio 2.