Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Kelly Clarkson Surprises Darius Rucker With CMA Humanitarian of the Year Award

Kelly Clarkson Surprises Darius Rucker With CMA Humanitarian of the Year Award
by
  • Riley is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, known for her engaging storytelling and insightful coverage of the genre.
  • Before joining Country Thang Daily, Riley developed her expertise at Billboard and People magazine, focusing on feature stories and music reviews.
  • Riley has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Belmont University, with a minor in Cultural Studies.

Kelly Clarkson and Darius Rucker had a special moment at The Kelly Clarkson Show. On Monday (October 23), Rucker dropped by the talk show to discuss his new album, Carolyn’s Boy, and his charity work. And in the middle of their conversation, Clarkson revealed that Rucker was chosen to receive the 2023 CMA Humanitarian of the Year Award.

A Big Surprise For Country Singer Darius Rucker

Darius Rucker talked through stories from his past years, especially how his late mother greatly influenced his commitment to giving back while sitting side by side with Kelly Clarkson. Rucker recalled growing up in a “really poor neighborhood” with not much and how his mother has instilled important lessons in him, and that is “you help people – not people that are less fortunate; you help people that need help.”

Clarkson praised Rucker’s mom for her down-to-earth parenting, revealing the surprise for the “It Won’t Be Like This For Long” singer. She told the audience that Rucker was completely unaware that he would receive the 2023 CMA Humanitarian of the Year Award for his long-standing charitable work.

When Rucker heard the news and received the humanitarian award, you could really tell from his facial expression how surprised he was. With raised eyebrows, he exclaimed, “Wow, that’s incredible,” and he got up to hug Clarkson.

RELATED: Discover Five Intriguing Facts About Darius Rucker That You Won’t Want to Miss

The CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award is actually given to someone who has shown themselves to be a true humanitarian. This recognition is based on their community leadership, financial contributions, personal volunteering, and advocacy efforts. 

The person honored has demonstrated a strong dedication to causes that matter to the Country Music Association and, of course, the entire country music community.

Amazingly, the South Carolina native has upheld his mother’s wisdom and advice in both his personal life and career. To this day, Rucker continues to dedicate his time to helping those in need through various charitable activities. It includes pledging his support to others by raising funds to donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 

Rucker also plays a role as a co-chair in a fundraising campaign that raised $150 million for the construction of the new MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital in his hometown of Charleston, South Carolina. This project is directly influenced by his mom, who worked as a nurse at MUSC.

The announcement of Rucker receiving the 2023 CMA Humanitarian of the Year Award comes shortly before the 57th Annual CMA Awards, which is scheduled to broadcast live from Nashville on Wednesday, November 8 at 8/7c on ABC. 

Congratulations to Darius Rucker for receiving the 2023 CMA Humanitarian of the Year Award! Your dedication to making a positive impact on your community and beyond is truly inspiring.

Watch the video below as Kelly Clarkson reveals that the (CMA) is honoring Darius Rucker as Humanitarian of the Year for his many charitable efforts over the years.

Latest Stories

Travis Tritt smiles in a black cowboy hat and shirt while performing "Good Ol' Boys" with a microphone in front of an American flag backdrop.

Travis Tritt Honors Waylon Jennings With Cover of “Good Ol’ Boys” Theme From The Dukes of Hazzard

Sometimes a song is so tied to a legend that when someone else picks it up, you’re half ready to wince, but then Travis Tritt walks up, tugs his hat ...

Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton perform together in a bar setting for their duet “A Song to Sing.

Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton’s “A Song to Sing” Duet Feels Like an Instant Classic

Sometimes country music gives you a line so pure it feels like it’s been here forever, and that’s exactly what Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton just pulled off with “A ...

Blake Shelton and Noah Cyrus standing side by side with microphones, performing their new country duet together.

Noah Cyrus Teams Up With Blake Shelton for New Country Duet and Fans Are Loving It

Sometimes country music needs a little shot of something wild, and Noah Cyrus just poured it straight into Blake Shelton’s glass. It’s not every day you see the Voice coach ...

George Strait performing on stage with his guitar and cowboy hat, pictured at a previous event not related to the upcoming Strait From the Heart benefit concert.

George Strait Will Play “Strait to the Heart” Benefit Concert to Raise Money for Flood Victims

Some kings wear crowns, some kings wear boots, and show up when the water’s rising. George Strait, the King of Country himself, is stepping up once again for the people ...

Blake Shelton smiles on stage with guitar and mic during Vegas show, putting his own spin on George Strait’s classic.

Blake Shelton Nails George Strait Classic With His Own Spin on “All My Ex’s Live in Texas”

Sometimes you don’t mess with a George Strait classic, unless you’re Blake Shelton standing under the Vegas lights with a grin that says you’re about to pay tribute and stir ...

Dolly Parton smiles during Khloé podcast interview, sitting by mic and lamp as she shares why she won't stop sharing faith.

Dolly Parton Says People Tell Her To Stop Talking About Her Faith But She Won’t Listen

If there’s one thing you can count on Dolly Parton for, it’s that she’ll say exactly what’s on her heart and not give a single rhinestone what anyone thinks. In ...

Little Mississippi boy in plaid shirt smiles at mic during preschool graduation where he recited New Testament books and sang a George Strait classic.

4-Year-Old Boy Recites New Testament Books Then Belts Out ‘All My Ex’s Live in Texas’

If there’s ever been a preschool graduation that screams “God bless the South,” this is it. Somewhere in Mississippi, a four-year-old kid just made the entire congregation beam with pride ...

Young George Strait smiling on stage playing guitar in 1987 when “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” hit No. 1 and proved he ran country.

On This Day in 1987, George Strait Hit No. 1 with ‘All My Ex’s Live in Texas’ and Proved He Ran Country

Sometimes a song just cements your throne forever, and for George Strait, it was a little tongue-in-cheek love letter that made every Texan proud to claim him as their king. ...

Scotty McCreery with his wife and both grandmothers, who he revealed passed away hours apart in a heartbreaking double loss.

Scotty McCreery Reveals Both His Grandmothers Died Hours Apart in Heartbreaking Double Loss

You just don’t see some country heartbreaks coming, and this one hit Scotty McCreery straight in the soul. This week, the North Carolina native and Opry favorite shared the gut-wrenching ...

Brooks & Dunn performing on stage together, fitting their story about admitting they struggled to get along for years.

Brooks and Dunn Admit They Struggled to Get Along for Years and Tried to Blow It Real Hard

Country music’s greatest duo was basically a bar fight waiting to happen. When Brooks & Dunn stormed out of the gate with “Brand New Man” in 1991, it looked like ...