Kheesha Abreu
Rock & Roll in American Society
MUH 3023 001
Spring 2014
I chose to write my paper on Darius Rucker because when I was younger my uncle used to play songs by Hootie & the Blowfish to me all the time. My favorite song of theirs is “I Only Want To Be With You” released in 1994 from the Cracked Rear View album. I still listen to their old albums although I prefer the songs of Darius Rucker now, as a solo country music artist, more than Hootie & the Blowfish. He went from an American rock band to a solo country singer and has been on the charts ever since. Darius has accomplished many wonderful things, one of which is being “the first country music singer to have his first three singles reach No. 1 since Wynona Judd in 1992”. I will talk about Darius’ career as a member of Hootie & the Blowfish, his career as a solo artist, and why I like him.
Here is a little background information about Darius Rucker and the band he formed in college. Darius was born May 13th, 1966; he was raised by a single mother and was one of six children. As a child, Darius sang in his Church choir and was part of his high school choir. After graduating high school he attended the University of South Carolina, which is where the band Hootie & the Blowfish was formed in 1986. It is said that Mark Bryan, a fellow band member, heard Darius singing in the shower and the two became a duo, named Wolf Brothers, before adding in the other two members. Dean Felber joined and then in 1989 Jim “Soni” Sonefeld joined, officially forming Hootie & the Blowfish. The band was signed by Atlantic Records and recorded six albums; all the albums featured songs written by Darius, Mark, and Felber. “The group's blusey harmonica solos—working in tandem with Rucker's de...
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... Wagon Wheel, Radio, Lost in you, and Lie to me) on repeat and never get bored of them. My uncle introduced me to Hootie & the Blowfish when I was younger but I didn’t continue to listen to Darius, that much, until after I heard “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It”. Once I heard that song, I was hooked; I began to look up other songs by him and that is when I realized he was the lead singer of Hootie & the Blowfish. Like I mentioned earlier, I prefer his country albums over his rock band albums. It may have to do with the fact that I am a country music lover but I just find myself singing along more and getting into his country music more.
Works Cited
"About," Darius Rucker Official Web site, http://www.dariusrucker.com (April 29, 2009).
"Darius Rucker," The Biography Channel website, http://www.biography.com/people/darius-rucker-224910 (accessed Mar 11, 2014).
James Earl Jones’s early life was difficult, and he was a part of the Great Migration. He was born in Arkabutla, Mississippi in 1931. Jones was raised by his maternal grandparents, for his father had left his mother when Jones was very young. She too left him at a young age, but visited from time to time. “I rejoiced in her visits, yet her impending departure brought me to grief” (Jones 18). Jones’s grief was routed in a feeling of abandonment. His did not see his father for many years, and his mother’s visits were infrequent, but his grandparents were very loving, and he would respect them as his parents (Jones 21). His attachment to his grandparents profoundly affected his life when he was nearly abandoned again. At age 5, his grandparents decided to move north to Michigan, and on the way they stopped by Memphis, Tennessee where they attempted to leave Jones with his paternal grandmother. ...
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Hank Williams Jr will always be remembered, He made a huge turning point in country music. He started young and seen his dreams and where he wanted to be, He didn't let anyone or anything stop him from getting there. Hank took his own spin on country music, and made it his own. Not following the “trend”, But doing what he wanted. Taking his dad with him , never forgetting that he's one of the reasons he's here.
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Throughout Pittsburgh history, the area has produced many acclaimed musicians and music organizations that have created music that has been enjoyed across America. Pittsburgh is a city of music with a history in Jazz, Classical, Pop, Doo-Wop, Rock, and most currently Rap. Many of Pittsburgh’s old musicians are award winning performers and song writers who have sold millions of records. Their music can now be heard on movies, TV, and even Broadway shows. These famous artists would be nothing without their teachers, producers, music promoters, managers, and radio personalities. This essay will take a look back into the roots of Pittsburgh to examine its historical and cultural music background.
Ryan, John. “The Seventh Stream: The emergency of rock n roll in American popular music,” (Book reviews) Social Forces (1994): March, p. 927. Star, Alexander. “Hole in Our Soul: The Loss of Beauty and Meaning in American Popular Music” (book reviews)
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