Darius Rucker Says The Black Crowes Have Been ‘So Impactful’

Darius Rucker will perform at Sunday's (4/2) 2023 CMT Music Awards with The Black Crowes for a duet of their 1991 song "She Talks to Angels."

Darius said of the collaboration in a statement, "I've been a fan of The Black Crowes for decades, and I'm grateful that we've also become good friends over the years. The first time I heard 'She Talks to Angels,' I remember being so moved by the lyrics that I went around Columbia, South Carolina, asking every single bar to play it."

He added, "I went home that night and put on Bonnie Raitt's Home Plate (an album she released in 1975) and decided I was going to try to write 'She Talks to Angels' for her. 'Let Her Cry' was what poured out of me. These guys have been so impactful on my career, and I can't wait to share the CMT stage with them."

Tune in to CBS or Paramount+ this Sunday, April 2, from 8:00 – 11:00 p.m. ET/PT to see the collaboration.

Meanwhile, Rucker returns to Country radio with a new song called "Fires Don't Start Themselves" today (3/31). He said of the new tune, "When I first heard 'Fires Don't Start Themselves,' the hook immediately got me." He adds, "The beginning of the chorus, 'Let's drink what's left of this…' is classic '90s Country. I love it!"

Rucker recently announced that he would return to the road this summer with 21 dates across the U.S. and Canada on his "Starting Fires Tour," kicking off June 15 in Virginia. Joining Rucker as direct support across most dates is Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, with rising star Drew Green as direct support on select dates.

Darius talked with us about picking good opening acts. He said, "When you do tours, the opening acts are so important 'cause you want to put guys in the seats, but you also want to entertain your fans, you know, the people who are there to see you. And for me also, one of the prerequisites is I gotta have guys that I can hang out with and go sit down and have dinner with and maybe play a round of golf with or drink a beer with after the show and before the show."

The tour news comes as Rucker finishes his forthcoming seventh solo album, which he recently revealed will be called Carolyn's Boy in honor of his late mother. Fans have gotten an early preview of the music via "Same Beer Different Problem" and "Ol' Church Hymn" (featuring Chapel Hart), with other new music expected soon.