Capitol Nashville’s Darius Rucker is the latest recipient of the 2023 CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award.

The three-time Grammy-winner received the honor—which recognizes individuals who have served as a humanitarian through community leadership, financial support, personal volunteerism and advocacy—during his appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, where he spoke about his late mother, Carolyn Rucker, and his new album, Carolyn’s Boy.

“When I was a kid, [my mother] instilled in us that you help people – not people that are less fortunate; you help people that need help,” said Rucker. “We grew up in a really poor neighborhood with not much and, you know, there was no reason for me to believe that I was gonna be here and make it. But she always instilled in me ‘believe in yourself, you can do whatever you want.’”

The 2009 CMA New Artist of the Year and four-time nominee, who pledged his support to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 15 years ago, also created the Darius and Friends charity auction, golf tournament and concert in 2010, which takes place each year in the days leading into CMA Fest and has since raised $3.6m+.

Additionally, Rucker co-chaired the capital campaign that amassed $150m to help build the new MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital in his hometown of Charleston, S.C.—inspired by his mom’s career as a MUSC nurse—and has advocated for 200+ charitable causes supporting public education and junior golf programs in S.C. through the Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation while also serving as a National Chair for Nashville's NMAAM.

Peep Rucker’s appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show below.