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5 Questions With... Recording Artist Darius Rucker
By Reid Spencer, Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service
Darius Rucker’s career in music has spanned more than 25 years, first as lead singer for Hootie and the Blowfish, now as a platinum solo country artist. Rucker has performed the national anthem at the World Series and sung at both Frank Sinatra’s 80th birthday party and Tiger Woods’ wedding.
An avid golfer and a relentless advocate for children’s causes, Rucker gave a prerace concert and sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" for Saturday night’s Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway. He talked to Sporting News’ Reid Spencer before the show.
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Q: Do you follow NASCAR racing?
A: Oh, yeah. I’ve got my drivers. Michael (Waltrip) was my driver for a long time. He’s a good friend, and now I’m pulling for (David) Reutimann pretty big. And (Martin) Truex, too. Everyone with Waltrip Racing. Michael’s my guy, and we’re real good buddies, so I pull for his camp.
Q: What’s the fastest you’ve ever driven a car?
A: I took a friend’s Porsche up to 140 (mph) once, and it was not for me. I was on the highway by myself. I couldn’t imagine going 140 or 150 with 42 other drivers around me. That wouldn’t be what I’d want to do.
Q: You sang at Tiger Woods’ wedding. Did you ever think his life would unravel the way it has in the past year?
A: I don’t think anybody was expecting the bombshell that happened for him. He’s my buddy, and to watch him go through this as a friend, that’s tough to take. But I’m looking forward to him bouncing back and getting his life in order and playing great golf.
Q: Do you think he can regain the same level of excellence?
A: He’ll be back. There’s no doubt in my mind that it’s going to be back to the level it was, and he’ll be winning again, and he’ll be the dominant player that we know.
Q: How intimidating was it to sing at Sinatra’s 80th birthday party?
A: That was the most nervous moment of my life. I sang "Lady is a Tramp." Singing his song in front of him—I told them I wanted to do the arrangement from ’64 at the Sands—and so we were doing Frank’s arrangements, too, and it was nerve-wracking.
PaddockTalk Perspective
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