Three-time Grammy award winner Darius Rucker just announced details of his upcoming new album, which will be titled Carolyn’s Boy, in honor of his late mother Carolyn.
“At the end of the day, I’m really still just Carolyn’s Boy,” he said during an interview with TODAY. Along with the title, Rucker revealed the sentimental cover image, a portrait of Carolyn, his late mother.
“I wanted to name the record Carolyn’s Boy because Mom never got to see any of my success,” he explained. “She died before any of this happened, so it’s just another homage to the greatest woman I’ve ever known.”
When prompted why now was the right time to pay tribute to her, Rucker shared that, “years ago, I wasn’t really sure what my place in Country music was and I was trying to find it. Now I have found it — I know — and I think it’s time to give that record.”
With his highly anticipated project on the horizon, Rucker hit on several career milestones throughout the interview. He recently celebrated his 10-year anniversary as a member of the coveted Grand Ole Opry and achieved his most recent No. 1 single at Country radio, “Beers And Sunshine,” marking his 10th time hitting No. 1.
Rucker’s song “Wagon Wheel” from his 2013 album, True Believers, was also recently certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), according to Music Row Magazine.
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“Wagon Wheel” is now the fourth country song in history to be certified diamond, joining Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise,” Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey,” and Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Old Town Road.” A diamond certification signifies that the song or project has sold over 10,000,000 units.
“Coming into Nashville, to expect anything like that wasn’t even in the cards,” noted Rucker when asked how he felt about reaching that level of success. “Here we are now — 15, 16, years in — it’s been a fun run.”
Alongside producer Frank Rogers, the multi-platinum star gave viewers an exclusive look at the track’s isolated vocals, in addition to previewing music he is currently working on for Carolyn’s Boy.
While celebrating his impressive accolades, Rucker recently teamed up with America’s Got Talent season 17 finalists Chapel Hart on his latest release, “Ol’ Church Hymn.”
Co-penned by Rucker, Ben Hayslip, Josh Miller and Greylan James, the stunning collaboration started a year ago, put into motion by an Instagram DM from Rucker to Chapel Hart asking if the trio was interested in working together on a song he had in mind. The duet will be featured on Rucker’s forthcoming album, which will be his first solo album since his 2017 release of When Was the Last Time.
The gospel-inspired track boasts Rucker’s rich baritone vocals, paired with Chapel Hart’s three-part harmony. The joyful chorus professes a born-again love with lyrics “You soothe my soul like an ol’ church hymn / Found in a book in the back of a pew / Born again love I’m a new person / Hand in the air hallelujah / Amen, Amen, Amen / Amen, Amen, Amen / You soothe my soul like an ol’ church hymn.”
“Ol’ Church Hymn” comes on the heels of releases “My Masterpiece” and “Same Beer Different Problem” as Rucker gears up to drop Carolyn’s Boy.
