Darius Rucker Just Wants to Play Music and Raise His Kids
If everyone was like DARIUS RUCKER, therapists would go out of business. The guy loves his family, and seems so well adjusted it’s almost not fair. He doesn’t try to hide it either.
“Billboard” asked why his new album “Southern Style” is filled with songs about his family life. He said, quote, “I like living a normal life, dropping off and picking up my kids at school. That’s the way I want it. I want to play the music and raise the kids.”
He even records his albums in his hometown of Charleston, South Carolina. Quote, “We just hang out at my house when we record. You still come up with something great, but it’s not like when we’re having five sessions a day and trying to knock it out.
“It’s pretty laid-back. And it definitely affects my vocals because I’m always so much happier and so much more relaxed.”
In a different interview, Darius was asked how he arrived at the album’s title, “Southern Style”. He said, quote, “When I started listening back . . . it seemed like a lot of the songs were about that laid back lifestyle.
“I thought that’s a great name for the record because all the songs were in that southern style.”
Jason Aldean and Brittany Kerr Definitely Want to Have Kids
This throws cold water on the idea that BRITTANY KERR was goldigging when she broke up JASON ALDEAN’smarriage. It appears she’s in it for the long haul, or at least long enough to pop out a few of his babies.
Jason talked about it on the red carpet at Sunday’s iHeartRadio Music Awards. He said, quote, “In the next couple of years, probably, we definitely want to have kids.”
He also said his daughters, 12-year-old Keeley, and 7-year-old Kendyl, are “pumped” at the idea of being big sisters. He added, quote, “They want a brother, so we’ll see what we can do about that.”
Eric Church and Kacey Musgraves Are Performing at Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic
WILLIE NELSON announced the details of his annual 4th of July Picnic. It’s returning to where it all began in Dripping Springs, Texas, which is just outside Austin . . . and he’s assembled a kickass lineup.
Performers include Eric Church, Kacey Musgraves, Merle Haggard, Sturgill Simpson, Jamey Johnson, Jason Isbell, Leon Russell, and Billy Joe Shaver.
Tickets go on sale April 10th. You can grab more details here or at RollingStone.com.
LUKE BRYAN went in for elbow surgery in Nashville. He Tweeted, “No biggie. Minor surgery on a tendon on my elbow. Been putting it off. All good.” According to CMT.com, his left arm’s in a sling, but he’ll be well enough to perform at the Arizona Country Thunder on April 12th.
BROOKS & DUNN will be reuniting at next month’s ACMs. It’ll be their first TV performance together since 2010. There’s also going to be a couple of “surprise” duets. Nick Jonas will perform with Dan + Shay . . . andChristina Aguilera will be matched up with a mystery artist. (CMT)
“Now That’s What I Call ACM Awards: 50 Years“ is a two-disc collection of country hits from ACM Award winning artists.
Disc One features modern artists like Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, and Lady Antebellum . . . while the second disc showcases classic hits from Alabama, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Glen Campbell, and George Jones.
Ryan Bingham is 34. He picked up a Best Original Song Oscar for the theme to “Crazy Heart”. The song’s actual title is “The Weary Kind”. Jeff Bridges sang it in the movie, but that’s Ryan singing it on the soundtrack.