The singer tells his life story through 23 songs that defined his experiences.
And according to the Wagon Wheel singer, thats exactly what he and co-writer Alan Eisenstock were going for.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY:I was really intrigued by how you titled each chapter based on a song.
Dey Street Books; Jim Wright
RUCKER:Oh no… the music came along after the story was being told.
Music is so embedded in your memories.
Are there any songs that are too painful to revisit?
Austin Friedline
Do you ever feel like you have to distance yourself from it?
RUCKER:No, I don’t let any of ‘em go.
Of all the milestones throughout your career, what do you wish your mom could have seen you do?
Jim Wright
RUCKER:Oh, that first Grammy.
When I got back to my room after that… That was the moment I really wish she’d gotten to see.
You touch on getting to sing withAdeleandTaylor Swift.
RUCKER:Oh, absolutely.
I mean, he could poop on a record and I think Id buy it [laughs].
I just think he’s amazing.
His Bob Dylan covers are fabulous.
RUCKER:Everything he does is fabulous.
All the country stuff he does, I’m such a fan.
He’s the guy right now.
My kids always play songs with me…
I love what’s happening in music right now.
Of course, I wish rock n’ roll wasn’t dead.
I wish there were still rock bands out there on the radio having big hits.
But there’s some really good stuff out there.
Youre so clearly passionate about many genres.
Why do you think performing country music was always your white whale?
RUCKER:When I sing country music, I just really think that everything led up to this.
1 hit in country music after 25 years.
You mentioned country music is becoming more inclusive, which is excellent.
How did it feel to witness that sort of division and progress at the same time?
RUCKER:I mean, division is part of a new American fabric right now.
We’re so divided as a country and it’s sad to see.
I don’t want to say music is above that, but music is music.
Im not one to disparage anybody about freedom of speech.
Why did you decide to write this memoir now?
RUCKER:I always said I’d write it when my kids were old enough to handle it.
I always said if I wrote it, I was just going to tell the truth.
And that’s what we did.
