For two weeks in a row former Hootie and the Blowfish front man Darius Rucker has claimed the charts with his album Learn to Live, which has topped both of the Billboard country charts. His debut country album has been met by very positive reviews and even more positive sales numbers. The lead single from the album “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It” also tops the Billboard charts for top country single.

Rucker is the first African American since Charlie Pride to top the chart’s of country music which is a feat that is by itself making its mark in country music history. Rucker is another artist in the trend of going country as we have seen in the past year with many other well known artists putting a twang sound to their music. The difference that also seems to be the reason his album is on top is the easy transition into country music while still being able to maintain the strong fan base from his earlier days with Hootie and the Blowfish. Learn to Live reminds me in many ways of Hootie’s first album, Cracked Rear View, which went 16x platinum and has gone down as one of the best albums of all time.

In the weeks ahead Darius Rucker has competition with new albums coming out from Kellie Pickler, Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, and more. This fall looks to have numerous country albums competing for top spots on the Billboard Hot 200 which is reserved for albums, this is a very positive sign for country music.