FMR. ‘HOOTIE’ FRONTMAN BECOMES FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN TO WIN BEST NEW ARTIST AT CMA AWARD

South Carolina native Darius Rucker became the first African American to be named best new artist at the Country Music Awards during a nationally-televised show Wednesday night.

Rucker, who hails from Charleston, beat out Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson, Jake Owen and the Zac Brown Band for the award.

“I’m going to have a couple of beers tonight,” Rucker joked after the awards ceremony.

And although he took the new artist title, Rucker is hardly new to the music industry.

Rucker achieved international stardom as the frontman for Hootie and the Blowfish — a group that got its start playing cover songs in Columbia’s Five Points district. The band’s 1994 debut album, Cracked Rear View, is the 15th highest-selling album of all time.

In fact, Hootie and the Blowfish won a Grammy Award for “best new artist” 13 years ago.

Perhaps the best moment of the night was when my girl Taylor Swift won the award for entertainer of the year. And the award for best female vocalist. And the award for album of the year. And the award for video of the year.

Thankfully, none of Swift’s acceptance speeches were interrupted by Kanye West.

Photo: Associated Press