Courtesy Photo/Image Darius Rucker

Country music singer and former Hootie and the Blowfish frontman Darius Rucker is the New Artist of the Year in the Country Music Association.

FREE Mobile Banking NOW AVAILABLE!

Rucker nabbed the award Monday at the annual CMA award night. He will perform in June in North Platte during the Nebraskaland Days Summer Jam Concert.

After a long list of acknowledgments when presented the award, Rucker thanked the audience for helping him cross over from rock music.

"To the fans, thank ya'll for accepting me," he said.

Rucker will perform in North Platte June 26, continuing a series of top country music performers during Nebraskaland Days.

Rucker’s 2008 album Learn to Live has three number one singles — "Don't Think I Don't Think About It", "It Won't Be Like This for Long" and "Alright", and a fourth song is high on the charts, according to the U.S. Hot Country Songs chart.

Tickets

Tickets for the concert will go on sale right before Thanksgiving. The first 500 tickets for the show are priced at $25 plus fees. Once the first 500 are sold, the price goes to $30 for the next 1,500 tickets.

In addition, fans can buy tickets and print them at their home computer. Tickets are projected to go on sale Nov. 16 to sustaining members of Nebraskaland Days. The general public will be able to buy tickets Nov. 23.

“I can't imagine a better Christmas gift than Darius Rucker and (opening act) Gloriana,” said David Fudge of the entertainment committee. “It's going to be an outstanding show.”

U.S. Cellular is the prime sponsor of the Summer Jam concerts.