Who says people don”t get a second chance at a music career?  Darius Rucker has proven this scenario completely wrong having country music open their arms with a big embrace and 3 number one songs off his debut country album.

Darius recently told the Toledo Free Pressthere is a big difference between his days in Hootie and the Blowfish and his current success:

“I’m paying attention this time,” he said earnestly. “Last time was a party. I was lost in the party. I was happy to be there and grateful, but this time I am making better decisions, waking up early. I won’t say I am enjoying it more now, but this is so much fun, you know, getting up the next day and remembering what I did the night before.”

Darius also shares that he would love to share the stage with Carrie Underwood and that “he would kill to record a song with Reba McEntire.”

Darius is already working on a new album and admits he feels more relaxed in the studio this time around.

“With the first album we felt all kinds of pressure because we did not know what was going to happen; now, all we have to do is deliver the songs, and radio is probably going to play it. It’s up to us to come up with the great songs.”

Although Darius will not be sharing any of his new music on stage just yet, you can catch up with him on the road with Rascal Flatts on the final leg of their American Living Unstoppable Tour that kicked off last night.