PR firms seem to be in love with the "Play Game X with the Celebrity Y" promotion this year. Ludacris, Tenacious D., and the All American Rejects have all been connected to one game or another during 2008, as many a PR rep seem to be high on the idea of riding the popularity wave of games in order to promote everything from crappy TV shows to crappy albums. The latest mash-up between gaming and fame features one of the best selling franchises of all times teaming up with one of the most Hootielicious musicians of the 1990s.

Giving a new meaning to the phrase "Madden Curse", Xbox's Game With Fame events has announced that for two two-hour periods on December 16th, Darius Rucker, formerly of Hootie and the Blowfish, will be available for games of Madden '09. In case you were wondering, Darius just so happens to be promoting a new country music album.

Quoth the Head Blowfish: "I realized I'm 42. I'm not going to write many songs about drinking, chasing girls or booty calls. I was going to write songs about having kids and stuff, songs about life. So many people in pop try to write all these psychedelic crazy lyrics, and I'm sure I've been part of that, but that's something you don't find in country music. The thing I like most about country songs is that they keep it simple. I love that, and I love the melodies."

Good call Darius, just what the Madden playing world is interested in. Kids! Life! Stuff! Here's the full press release in case you can't wait to shut down an aging musician:

Game With Fame presents...
Play Madden NFL '09 with Darius Rucker


Some fans may initially think of Darius Rucker as the front man for the phenomenally popular group Hootie & the Blowfish, but you're going to have to start thinking of him as a bona fide country music star. Rucker's first country album, Learn to Live on Capitol Records Nashville, is pure country all the way, and the hit single "Don't Think I Don't Think About It," rocketed to the top of the country charts earlier this year.

"This CD is a journey," Rucker says. "I realized I'm 42. I'm not going to write many songs about drinking, chasing girls or booty calls. I was going to write songs about having kids and stuff, songs about life. So many people in pop try to write all these psychedelic crazy lyrics, and I'm sure I've been part of that, but that's something you don't find in country music. The thing I like most about country songs is that they keep it simple. I love that, and I love the melodies."

Rucker worked with some of the best songwriters in the business for this album, including Rivers Rutherford, Frank Rogers, and Clay Mills, who co-wrote Rucker's huge hit "Don't Think I Don't Think About It." And country stars Brad Paisley, Vince Gill, and Alison Krauss all make appearances on the release. Country music has rolled out the welcome mat for Rucker. "The reception has been unbelievable," he says. "People listen to country music because they know it's where you can find songs." Darius Rucker is committed to making great country music. And that's exactly what you'll find on Darius Rucker's Learn to Live, great, meaningful songs. Be sure to look out for Darius Rucker videos on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace!

Xbox Live Game With Fame with Darius Rucker

Date: Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Time: 2:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. ET/11 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. PT

Game: Madden NFL 09

Gamertags: Darius GWF

Link: http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/calendar/gamewithfame/2008/1216-dariusrucker.htm

Check out Darius' Artist Of The Month page:

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/live/artist/country/dariusrucker.htm

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