What To Expect From Darius Rucker’s Memoir, ‘Life’s Too Short’

Darius Rucker is giving fans an unfiltered look into his life journey and the music that guided him along the way in his memoir, LIFE’S TOO SHORT: A Memoir by Darius Rucker, available May 28, 2024 via Dey Street Books.

Readers Can Expect To Be ‘Really Surprised’ By This Memoir

As he reflects on all that he’s accomplished as a musical trailblazer, Rucker puts his thoughts, emotions and experiences into the pages of this book instead of his usual method of sharing his stories through lyrics in a song. There were plenty of ups and downs throughout his career, and it seems he won’t be shying away from putting the truth on display.

In a recent clip Rucker shared to Instagram announcing the new project, he revealed that the people who think they know him will be “really surprised” by some of the things they read in this book. 

“If I look back at my life and try to see into my past, everything seems blurry. But then I lean in and start to hear something. Melodies. Chords. Harmonies. Lyrics. This book is the story of my life as told through twenty-three songs that took me away, soaring, starting at ground level, living in a poor but happy home, never wanting for much more, enjoying what I had, even when times got tough, because I had my escape, my refuge, my music,” he said.

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How Did Darius Rucker Get His Start In Music?

The country star’s story begins in Charleston, South Carolina where he was raised by his single mother, Carolyn Rucker. While attending college at the University of South Carolina in 1986, he co-founded the band Hootie & the Blowfish with three of his classmates. They got their start by playing frat houses and local dive bars before finally seeing some movement with their GRAMMY-winning, Double Diamond-certified debut album Cracked Rear View. The project spawned hit songs such as “Only Wanna Be With You,” “Let Her Cry” and “Hold My Hand,” which helped propel the band into a rock-pop sensation that still remains a household name around the world. 

Despite their monumental success, Rucker took a leap of faith and left the band to embark on a solo country music career. This proved to pay off because once the members of the country music industry caught wind of his talent and deep passion for the genre, Rucker began to once again garner widespread fame. The three-time Grammy award-winner paved his own path across multiple decades, while racking in timeless fan-favorite hits along the way with songs like “Wagon Wheel,” Alright,” “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It,” and more. Other artists also saw his potential and undeniable talent, leading Rucker to share the stage with the likes of David Crosby, Al Green, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Adele, Taylor Swift, and more. 

Fans will have the chance to experience Darius Rucker’s story in a completely new and in-depth way when LIFE’S TOO SHORT: A Memoir by Darius Rucker arrives in May via Dey Street Books.

This Chapter Of Raw Honesty Began With ‘Carolyn’s Boy’

This will follow the release of his latest album, Carolyn’s Boy, which launched this candid chapter of Rucker’s life as it not only honors his late mother but also reflects on his years of songwriting and growth as an artist. 

Unfortunately, Carolyn passed away before ever getting to see the extent of Rucker’s success, so this album gives him the opportunity to pay tribute to who he sees as “the greatest woman” he’s ever known. The 14-track collection offers a small taste of the impact she had on his life through songs like Have A Good Time,” “Ol’ Church Hymn” featuring Chapel Hart, “Same Beer Different Problem,” “Fires Don’t Start Themselves,” his 10^th career No. 1 hit, “Beers And Sunshine,” and plenty more.

Heading To Germany, Switzerland & More In 2024 

The Grand Ole Opry member is gearing up to head overseas for the next leg of his headline run, The Starting Fires UK Tour. This stint of shows will launch on April 27, 2024 in Manchester. He will continue with performances in Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Ireland before returning to the U.S. for a slew of dates throughout the summer.