Michael Buble Was "Not a Happy Man for Many Years"

Facebook.com/MichaelBubleMichael Buble's been famous for 10 years now, and you'd think that all that fame -- and fortune -- would have brought him contentment.  But while he's deliriously happy now, thanks to his marriage and his baby on the way, he tells Vanity Fair that for a long time, he was extremely unhappy, mostly due to his insecurity.

"I was not a happy man for many years.  Insecure.  I never thought I could hold a relationship.  No way," he reveals.  "Because how could anyone love me if I didn’t?  That sounds like a shrink would say it, but it’s the truth."

So what changed?  Michael points to a "harsh public breakup" -- possibly referring to his split with actress Emily Blunt -- as forcing him to wake up and realize that he needed to pull himself together.  "I was f***ing heartbroken; I had no confidence," he reveals.

Michael admits, "I kept saying to myself, 'You're young, Mike.  You're young, and you'll make mistakes and you'll have time to change these things.'  Then I started to realize, 'You know what, dude?  You're not a kid anymore.  You're now in your mid...30s.  You have these things inside you, but you ignore them.  You push them aside, and you don't want to admit these things to yourself.'"

Eventually, Michael says, it was reading a book called The Power of Now that changed his life. 

"I started reading it, and I believed in it," he explains.  "I started practicing it, and it was as simple as just being in the moment and being thankful for what I had and every day trying to be grateful and to try to work on myself.  It was such a slow process, but it changed my life."

The book, once recommended by Oprah Winfrey, advises readers that they can be transformed simply by becoming deeply conscious of the present moment, or what the author calls "the Now."

Michael tells Vanity Fair, "Literally, if you talk to my mom and dad, they'll tell you that I'm a different son.  I'm present."

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Drummer Travis Barker Promises “Harder” Songs on Upcoming Transplants Record

Facebook.com/TransplantsOfficialTransplants drummer Travis Barker says that the band’s upcoming album, In a Warzone, will feature some heavier themes than their previous releases.

“It’s probably a bit harder than some of our other albums, a lot more straightforward punk rock album,” he tells Billboard in a video interview. “It’s up and down like every Transplants album. There are songs that make you want to smack the s**t out of somebody and there are songs that are just good driving songs.”

In a Warzone will arrive at all the usual outlets on June 25. You’ll get your first taste of the new songs performed live when the band hits the road with Rancid for a co-headlining North American tour next month. That outing kicks off on June 11 at The Fillmore in Detroit MI. Visit TheTransplants.com to view the full itinerary.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

One Direction Releasing New Book

HarperCollinsOne Direction has got a new book on the way this summer. 

Titled Where We Are: Our Band, Our Story, the publisher's description calls it “the only official book from 1D, charting their journey over the past year-and-a-half -- from the places they’ve visited and fans they’ve met, to their thoughts and feelings, hopes and dreams, highs and lows. It has been a phenomenal year – and this is a phenomenal story.”

1D has released three previous official books through HarperCollins, the most recent being One Direction: Dare to Dream.

Where We Are: Our Band, Our Story goes on sale August 27, three days before the debut of the group's movie, This Is Us.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Keith Richards Could Owe Thousands of Dollars in Overdue Library Fines

Jane Rose/KeithRichards.comA public library in Dartford, England, apparently can’t get satisfaction from Keith Richards.

The veteran rocker admits he still owes fines for books he borrowed and failed to return to the library decades ago, the Mirror reports.  The newspaper quotes Richards as saying, “I’ve still got overdue fines from about 50 years ago.  They must be astronomical by now.”

The Mirror estimates that with a 15 pence a day fine, plus interest and administrative fees, Richards could be facing a library bill of about 3,000 pounds, approximately $4,547.

The 69-year-old Richards says he felt right at home in the quiet atmosphere of the library in Dartford.  “To me it was a place where you get a hint there was somewhere called civilization.”  The hard-living guitarist adds, “It was the only place where I would willingly obey the laws, like silence. It was somewhere I could find out about things I was interested in.”

When contacted by the newspaper, a receptionist at the Dartford Library was unable to determine quickly how much Richards owes in fines.  “For fines going back 50 years, it’s going to be tough to work out exactly how much is owed,” says the receptionist, adding, “We’d have to check the archives.”

Meanwhile, the U.K. tabloid The Sun cites experts who estimate that Richards actually owes the library around 20,000 pounds in overdue fines.  That’s approximately $30,000.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Carole King Honored at the Library of Congress

Kris Connor/Getty ImagesCarole King will receive the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song at the White House on Wednesday. On the eve of that event, she was celebrated at the Library of Congress with a concert featuring Colbie Caillat and other artists.

King remarked at the Tuesday night concert, “The greatest joy for me is to hear someone interpret my song.” She performed herself, too, entertaining those in attendance with “Now and Forever” and “You’ve Got a Friend."  

King also acknowledged the victims of the Oklahoma tornado, saying she would "keep them in our prayers."

On Wednesday night, President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama will salute King as part of the latest edition of the “In Performance at the White House” series. King, Billy Joel, James Taylor, Gloria Estefan and Trisha Yearwood are among the artists who will perform. The concert will be streamed live on WhiteHouse.gov/Live beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern time.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Kelly Rowland's "Talk a Good Game" Track List Revealed

RepublicThe track listing for Kelly Rowland's Talk a Good Game album has made its way online.  The 15-track set is available for pre-order from iTunes, which means there's finally a little more information about Kelly's much-anticipated track with her Destiny's Child pals Beyonce and Michelle Williams.

The trio collaborate on a song titled "You Changed," but since no preview is available yet, fans will have to wait and see whether the ladies are singing about a shaky romantic relationship or a rocky patch in their friendship. Earlier this month, Kelly surprised Destiny's Child fans when she revealed her frustrations after the group's split on her latest Talk a Good Game single, "Dirty Laundry."

Other guests on the album include Wiz Khalifa on "Gone" and Pusha T on "Street Life."  The-Dream -- who features Kelly on his upcoming IV Play album -- drops in on her "Sky Walker" track.  Talk a Good Game's title track features another collaborator, Kevin Cossom.  The Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter has worked with Keri Hilson, Rihanna, Chris Brown and more. 

Check out the full Talk a Good Game track list here:

"Freak"
"Kisses Down Low"
"Gone" Feat. Wiz Khalifa
"Talk a Good Game" Feat. Kevin Cossom
"Down On Love"
"Dirty Laundry"
"You Changed" feat. Beyonce & Michelle
"I Remember"
"Red Wine"
"This Is Love"
"Street Life" Feat. Pusha T
"Stand In Front of Me"
"Sky Walker" feat. The-Dream
"Put Your Name On It"
"#1"

 Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Massive Clash Box Set, "Sound System," Due Out in September

Legacy RecordingsFrom punk pioneers to musical innovators who cross-pollinated rock with reggae, hip-hop and other genres, The Clash blazed a fiery trail during the 1970s and '80s that influenced and inspired countless bands that emerged in their wake.

Now, the group's surviving members have designed and compiled a massive new box set titled Sound System that collects all five of the U.K. rockers' studio albums along with a plethora of demos, singles, B-sides and outtakes; promotional videos; concert footage; memorabilia; and much more.

Scheduled to be released on September 10, Sound System features a total of 12 discs, including the three CDs of extra material and a DVD.  Among the bonus tunes are previously unreleased tracks from The Clash's very first recording session at Beaconsfield Film School in 1976, demos the band laid down for the Polydor label in November 1976 and performances from a December 1978 concert at The Lyceum Theatre in London.

The DVD, meanwhile, contains interview and concert footage shot by director Julien Temple and frequent Clash collaborator Don Letts, unreleased performances from a 1977 show at England's Sussex University, footage from the band's famous spring 1981 run of shows in New York City and a career-spanning selection of promo clips.

Sound System comes housed in a boom box-shaped case that also features a booklet, fanzines, a poster and collectible dog tags, badges and stickers.  In celebration of the box set, Clash guitarist Mick Jones, bassist Paul Simonon and drummer Topper Headon have lent their voices to a quirky video in which they discuss the concept behind Sound System.

In conjunction with the arrival of Sound System, The Clash also is putting out CD and vinyl box sets featuring just the remastered versions of their studio albums.  In addition, a compilation called The Clash - Hits Back, featuring 33 of the group's most popular songs, will be issued as a two-CD set and a three-LP vinyl collection on September 10.  The retrospective's track list is based in part on a set that the band played at a famous 1982 concert held at London's Brixton Fair Deal venue.

To find out more details about the upcoming Clash releases, visit TheClash.com.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Elton John to Headline Concert at London's Hyde Park with Ray Davies, Elvis Costello & Others

Facebook.com/EltonJohnElton John joins a growing list of famous rockers, including The Rolling Stones and Bon Jovi, who will perform headlining sets at London's famous Hyde Park this summer.

Elton and his band will serve as the main attraction at a July 12 concert that also will feature Kinks frontman Ray Davies, plus Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe and several other artists.  The event, part of Hyde Park's British Summer Time series, will showcase singer/songwriters.

"I am truly honored to be headlining the Songwriters evening of the new British Summer Time series," says John in a statement.  "This will be the first time in eight years that I have played with a band at Hyde Park…The audiences there are always amazing, and to be sharing the bill with two of Britain's great songwriters, Ray Davies and Elvis Costello, will only make the night that much more special."

Tickets for the concert will be available for purchase by the general public at BST-HydePark.com starting this Thursday at 4 a.m. ET.

The Rolling Stones are scheduled to play Hyde Park on July 6 and 13, while Bon Jovi's show is slated to take place on July 5.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Nashville Notes

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockTaylor Swift and Kacey Musgraves were spotted eating together at Nobu Restaurant and Lounge in Las Vegas Sunday night following the Billboard Music Awards according to the Las Vegas Informer.

Darius Rucker stops by ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live Wednesday.

New country trio The Henningsens visited the chorus at PS22 in New York City to perform their debut hit, "American Beautiful," as well as a cover of Justin Timberlake's #1 pop hit, "Mirrors."

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Florida Georgia Line Cruises to New Heights Thanks to Nelly and Taylor Swift

Republic NashvilleFlorida Georgia Line's hit single "Cruise" is now crossing over to the pop world thanks to a remix with rapper Nelly.  So, how did they get this unique pairing come about?  The country duo's Brian Kelley tells ABC News Radio it was actually Nelly who got the ball rolling.

Brian says, "When we heard that he was interested and that would have been an option, we freaked out and jumped at it.  I don't think there could have been anyone better for that song.  It just made sense."

Brian and his duo partner, Tyler Hubbard, love how Nelly sounds rapping on the track, too.

"It's a very special song, and to have him a part of it takes it to another level for sure," Brian says.

"Cruise" earned its initial pop cred when Taylor Swift gave a ringing endorsement of the song last year on Twitter.  She mentioned her love for the song again recently in an interview with Billboard and even brought Florida Georgia Line out on her RED tour this year.

Says Brian, "We love her and what she's doing and very thankful for her having us out on tour and being so good to us."

Florida Georgia Line opens for Taylor Swift on Wednesday night in San Antonio, Texas, before playing a sold-out headlining show Thursday at the House of Blues in Houston.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

SkyBlu Says New LMFAO Music May Be Coming "in the Near Future"

Albert Ferreira/Startraks Photo via ABCLMFAO may not be currently working together, but that doesn't mean there's any drama between Redfoo and SkyBlu, who in real life are uncle and nephew, respectively.  In fact, even though SkyBlu is readying a solo album, he says an LMFAO reunion may take place sooner than you think.

"We're family.  I love Foo; he loves me," Sky told ABC News Radio at the Billboard Music Awards.  "We see each other at Christmas and everything, and we're good...you guys might see something from LMFAO in the near future, so it's all good."

In the meantime, Sky's first solo album is coming out July 4, and he says he has three, count 'em, three singles out: One's called "Pop Bottles," another's called "Alcohol," and another one is a Spanish song he did with actor Wilmer Valderrama called "Salud," which means "Cheers" in Spanish.  And if you're sensing a common theme here, Sky says don't worry: His album won't consist of only songs about partying.

"It really shows the spectrum of who I am," he says of the solo disc.  "And so yeah, I release a lot of drinking songs and stuff, but I really want to [use these songs to] transition my fans into my record and make them comfortable.  So when they hear it, it's like, 'Wow, I didn't see this coming, but I understand,' you know what I mean?"

While Sky's working on his music, Redfoo is also keeping busy.  He just signed on to be a judge on the Australian version of The X Factor, and he's also working on his tennis career, attempting to qualify for the 2013 US Open as a wild-card entry.  The qualifying tournament takes place next month, and Sky says his uncle's the real deal on the court.

"Yeah, he's been a great player," he tells ABC News Radio.  "I remember seeing him win first place in, like, a few contests.  He's awesome." 

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Longtime Pals Kacey Musgraves and Kree Harrison Explain How They're "From the Same Tribe"

FOXKree Harrison may just be starting out on her country career after scoring the runner-up slot on American Idol this season, but she's not going into the country music world blind.  Kree has lived in Nashville for 13 years now and counts country star Kacey Musgraves as one of her best friends.

The two native Texans met through a mutual Nashville songwriter friend, who told them both before meeting, "Y'all are from the same tribe."

Kree tells ABC News Radio, "We went and hung out one night, me and her and our friend Elice and literally have been inseparable ever since."

You may have seen Kacey in the audience at American Idol this season cheering Kree on, and Kree is incredibly proud of Kacey's success on the country charts.

"It's really hard to find good girls that are supportive and not competitive, and she and I are the epitome of that," Kree says of Kacey.  "If you can't tell, we just support each other so much."

Kree even supported Kacey by singing background vocals on her debut album, Same Trailer, Different Park.  Kree hopes Kacey returns the favor for Kree's upcoming debut album, too.  While Kacey would love for Kree to record some of her songs on that album, Kacey tells ABC New Radio that Kree can write a mighty fine tune herself.

"Kree's an amazing songwriter in her own right, and she can just sing the absolute pants off anything she chooses," Kacey says, adding, "I want the world to hear her songs."

Kree is now headed out on the road with the rest of the American Idol finalists this summer.  She's also set to make her Grand Ole Opry debut on June 4 before really starting to work on her debut album.

Says Kree, "This is happening to such a deserving person, and not only that, but such a humble one.  So, I'm excited for her."

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Jon Bon Jovi Warns Justin Bieber Not to Be an [EXPLETIVE]

Facebook.com/BonJoviJustin Bieber's recent plea at the Billboard Music Awards for people to focus solely on his music and not the other "bull" that surrounds him evidently didn't reach the ears of Jon Bon Jovi.  In a new interview, the Bon Jovi frontman warns Justin that if he doesn't do right by his fans, he runs the risk of being seen as an "a**hole."

While speaking with the British paper the Evening Standard, Jon was asked to comment on the fact that Justin angered some of his fans earlier this year by showing up 40 minutes late to a London concert, blaming his tardiness on technical issues.  Jon responded that artists who show up late to shows "run the risk of disrespecting their audience members who have worked hard to pay for their ticket, to give you the permission to take two or three hours of their lives -- or in that kid's case, 80 minutes of their lives."

He added, "Do it once, you can be forgiven.  Do it enough times and shame on you.  They won't have you back. Then it just becomes a cliché. It’s really not cool -- you're an a**hole.  Go to f***in' work!"

Jon also discussed the uncomfortable situation he's currently in: having to explain why Richie Sambora has left the band's tour, with no hint as to when he'll be back.

"It’s getting more and more difficult every day to not just sit here and say something... Because all I can say is this -- it's for personal reasons," Jon told the paper.  "You have a choice -- you either figure it out, go and grow, not only survive but thrive. Or, you say, 'I hate my brother and I'm gonna quit the band.' "

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Volbeat's Michael Poulsen Reveals Inspiration Behind "Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies"

Facebook.com/VolbeatVolbeat's latest album, Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies, has been getting some serious love on radio and on the active charts since its release last month.  Frontman Michael Poulsen says that he's thrilled fans are enjoying the release, which was inspired by his love of the Old West.

“Lyrically…it was about time that something a little bit different happened, and I just started writing about these outlaws and gunslingers and shady ladies from the 1800s, because I could hear in the music I was writing that I was getting inspired by some of those old Western movies I'd been watching as a kid," he tells ABC News Radio.  "Now is the right time to bring those characters to life and make that part of the whole Volbeat universe."

Poulsen adds that one of the biggest reasons for the band's successful new musical direction is the addition of former Anthrax guitarist Rob Caggiano, who officially joined Volbeat in February.  "[Caggiano's] very tight, he's very solid and he definitely has his own touch when it comes to the solos, but style-wise, him and I fit perfectly," he explains.  "It worked out really, really good, and I think you can definitely hear that on the record.  It has a really good heavy dynamic, so I think he’s an amazing guitar player."

Volbeat is currently on tour overseas, but the band will return to kick off the next leg of its North American tour with an appearance at the Shadow Hill Ranch Festival on August 24 in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin. Visit Volbeat.dk to view the full itinerary.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Hear Alabama Shakes' "Pocket Change" from Upcoming "True Blood" Soundtrack

Pieter M. van Hattem/Contour by Getty ImagesAlabama Shakes is among the artists who have contributed tracks for the upcoming compilation True Blood: Music from the HBO Original Series Volume Four, due May 28.  The Shakes have crafted a new song for the release, titled "Pocket Change," which you can preview now at EW.com.

Other rockers who appear on the compilation include Iggy Pop, Best Coast's Bethany Cosentino, My Morning Jacket and The Flaming Lips.

The sixth season of True Blood will premiere June 16 on HBO.  Here's the complete list of songs and artists on the True Blood: Music from the HBO Original Series Volume Four album:

"Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" -- Eric Burdon with Jenny Lewis
"Let's Boot and Rally" -- Iggy Pop with Bethany Cosentino
"What Makes a Good Man?" -- the Heavy
"Smokestack Lightnin'" -- Howlin' Wolf
"Pocket Change" -- Alabama Shakes
"Authority Song" -- Bosco Delrey
"Turn Turn Turn" -- My Morning Jacket
"Your Face Can Tell the Future" -- The Flaming Lips
"The Sun" -- The Naked and Famous
"Undertow" -- Warpaint
"I Wanna Be Your Man" -- Mobley
"(She's a) Wanderer" -- Deap Vally
"Whatever I Am, You Made Me" -- Koko Taylor
"We'll Meet Again" -- Los Lobos

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

"The Voice" Recap: Shakira and Usher Each Lose One Artist

NBCThe odds of a Shakira or Usher protégé winning The Voice are pretty slim after Tuesday night's results show.

Team Shakira’s Kris Thomas and Team Usher's Josiah Hawley were eliminated, leaving eight artists still standing in the competition. Amber Carrington of Team Adam Levine and The Swon Brothers of Team Blake Shelton were both saved in the final minutes of the results show.

Usher and Shakira's teams each have only one artist left: Michelle Chamuel and Sasha Allen, respectively. This is Usher and Shakira's first season as a Voice coach.

The telecast began with host Carson Daly again sending the show's thoughts and prayers to the victims of the Oklahoma tornado. He then introduced Blake, who was born and raised in Oklahoma, and Blake's wife, Miranda Lambert. Together, they performed a song they co-wrote and was recorded by Miranda, "Over You."

Red Cross donation information appeared on the screen during the couple's performance.

Later on in the show, Shakira joined her artists for a rendition of The Pretenders' "I'll Stand by You"; Usher took the stage with his artists for a cover of Dusty Springfield's "The Look of Love"; Team Blake, without their coach, sang Alabama's "Mountain Music"; and Team Adam, sans the Maroon 5 frontman, performed The Kiki Dee Band's "I've Got the Music in Me."

The live playoffs roll on next Monday night on NBC.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Kellie Pickler Wins "Dancing with the Stars" Mirror Ball Trophy

ABC/Adam TaylorKellie Pickler and pro partner Derek Hough were crowned the winners of the 16th season of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars Tuesday night.

Disney star Zendaya and partner Val Chmerkovskiy finished in second place.

Pickler, who had been a fan favorite during ten weeks of competition, reacted to the announcement by declaring, “Oh my God. This is amazing. Oh my God.”

Pickler and Hough danced a jive for their final ballroom routine Tuesday night.  Judge Len Goodman declared afterward, “You're always clean, you're precise, you're sharp, your dancing is always polished. I'm telling you, Kellie, you're the bee's knees, my mama's pajamas, my uncle's carbuncles. You're awesome.”

Pickler won after receiving the highest combined total of judges’ scores and viewers’ votes.

Backstage after the show, Kellie told ABC News Radio that the Mirror Ball trophy will probably go to her grandfather.

Kellie said, “This is his favorite show, and he talked me into doing the show in the first place.  And he said he wanted that Mirror Ball trophy, if I didn't bring it home, then I wasn't his favorite granddaughter.”

Kellie adds that she’s his only granddaughter...his only grandchild. The singer says her grandfather lives with her and husband so the Mirror Ball trophy “will probably go in his bedroom on his nightstand.”

Wynonna was also one of the dancing celebrities on this season’s edition, but she was voted off a number of weeks ago.  She returned Tuesday night to sing “I Want to Know What Love Is.”

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

George Michael Still Hospitalized Days After Car Accident for "Observation"

Samir Hussein/Redferns via Getty ImagesDespite the fact that George Michael's rep said the singer only suffered "superficial cuts and bruises" in a car crash last week, he's still in the hospital, reports the BBC.

George was a passenger in a Range Rover that was involved in a car accident in the U.K. last Thursday, and he was found on the road by paramedics, the BBC says.  He was then airlifted to a medical center in London.  

The spokeswoman confirmed to the BBC that George was still in the hospital, and added, "We are keen to stress it's purely as a precaution for observation.  He did suffer a couple of bumps and bruises to the head, and that's why they are keeping him in -- to keep an eye on him."

She added, "He is doing better.  He is making good progress and is looking forward to getting out."

But the British paper The Sun paints a more serious picture of the accident, which did not involve a third party.  A driver on the scene, who was forced to hit the brakes when she saw George in the road, tells the paper, "I saw blood everywhere and a man on the ground...I asked what had gone on and was told he tried to open the car door and shut it again because it wasn’t shut properly and apparently fell out at 70 mph."

She added, "There was a nasty cut on his forehead and the back of his head.  There was blood all down his face and on his teeth.  He was breathing and conscious but in shock...He was lucky he didn’t die.”

The hit-making singer appears to have nine lives.  According to Billboard, in 2004, he was involved in two car accidents, and another one in 2006.  His license was yanked in 2007, but when it was restored, he got into another accident: In 2010, the car he was driving slammed into a photo processing store in London.  He was then sentenced to eight weeks in prison after a judge found he'd been driving under the influence of pot and prescription medication.

In addition, in 2011, George suffered a bout of pneumonia that nearly killed him, and then last year canceled a tour due to "major anxiety," a side effect of that near-death experience.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

India.Arie Shares Her "SongVersation" Album Cover

Photo Courtesy of India.Arie via InstagramIndia.Arie's SongVersation album arrives in stores next month, and on Tuesday, she revealed the cover art for the new set.  The artwork, which India shared via Instagram, shows the singer in her signature headwrap, facing the camera with her arms open.

"My open hands represent the energy of giving and receiving, and that's what a SongVersation is," she tells Essence of her fifth studio album.  On the SongVersation cover, India is wearing pink from head to toe.  The shade has always been one of her favorites, she tells Essence, adding, "It's soft and feminine and represents the heart."

India tells Essence that she hopes to "spark conversation" with her new album.  Back in March, when she released the artwork for her first single, "Cocoa Butter," Twitter was abuzz with allegations that India had lightened her skin color.  She denied the accusations, explaining that changes in her appearance were the result of lighting.  She also tweeted, "I wouldn't endanger my health that way... i'm so in love with myself I have no DESIRE  to BLEACH myself."

India's SongVersation album hits stores June 25.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Darius Rucker Reacts to Racist Tweet

Capitol NashvilleDarius Rucker is back on top of the country chart with his latest hit, "Wagon Wheel," and he's just released his third country album, True Believers, which appears destined to be another big seller.  Though Darius has established himself as one of country's top stars, he still has to deal with some small-minded people as the only black man in the format.

Things got especially heated earlier this week when a Twitter user told Darius to "Leave country to the white folk."  Darius shot back, "WOW. Is this 2013 or 1913."  He then added, " I'll take my grand ole Opry membership and leave your racism."

Darius tells Rolling Stone that tweet was shocking to him.  He says, "Sometimes people will say, 'You're not country,' and I know what that means, because they can't be talking about the music.  But when somebody says to leave country music to the white folks, that is unbelievable to me...But that's life."

Darius knows he'll have to deal with that kind of ignorance in some shape or fashion for the rest of his life.

He says, "I'm a black guy in country music, and there are people who don't like that.  But it's not going to make me quit."

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio