MUST WATCH
DARIUS RUCKER, USA
HIS STORY:Formerly the singer of Grammy-winning soft
rock band Hootie & The Blowfish, Rucker
(pictured below) made a genre jump in 2008
and reinvented himself as a solo artist.
BIGGEST HIT:Though his foray into country was originally
met with scepticism, Rucker proved his
credentials and, in 2014, took home
a third Best Country Solo Performance
Grammy Award for his cover
of Old Crow Medicine Show’s
classic song Wagon Wheel.
ACCOLADES:Rucker became the first solo
African-American artist since
1983 to reach number one
on the Hot Country Songs
chart with his first single
Don’t Think I Don’t
Think About It. In
2009 he was the first
musician of colour to
be awarded the CMA
New Artist of the Year.
DID YOU KNOW?In 2012, Rucker
became a member
of Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry – considered
one of country music’s greatest achievements.
BAYLOU, AUS
THEIR STORY:Aussie sisters Victoria and Barb Baillie were
enjoying success separately before joining
forces as Baylou. Hailing from Victoria, the
talented songwriters and musicians now
reside in western Sydney. They may look
sweet as pie but, taking inspiration from
the likes of Miranda Lambert, their music
has a take-no-prisoners flavour.
“We are strong and loud, we push the
boundaries, we’re sexy and there’s depth
behind our music,” they declare.
BIGGEST HIT:Target On My Heart, released in
2012, peaked at number one on
CMC’s Top 30 Countdown.
ACCOLADES:Prior to forming Baylou,
younger sibling Victoria
won a Golden Guitar for New
Talent of the Year at the Country
Music Awards of Australia in 2010.
DID YOU KNOW?The stage name Baylou is a play
WORDS: CAROLYN HIBLEN. PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES on their surname.
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Music to your ears
Sisters Barb (left) and
Victoria Baillie share the
singing and songwriting
duties in Baylou24 Foxtel APRIL