I’ll take my weekend concert country-fried, please.

Come 7:30 p.m. Saturday, country music star Darius Rucker will take the stage at the NIU Convocation Center, 1525 W. Lincoln Highway, with openers Thompson Square and Justin Moore.

The former Hootie and the Blowfish front man talked with the Northern Star about the making switch to country music, working with Lionel Richie and why he wants the Miami Dolphins to keep losing.

Northern Star: What initially drew you to country music?

Darius Rucker: Well, I’ve always been a fan of country music. During the ’80s, I discovered bands like New Grass Revival, Lyle Lovett, Nanci Griffith, Dwight Yoakam, and all these bands that were on the fringe but were making these great records. I just loved all that stuff. Then Randy [Travis] came out with his solo record in ’89, and I thought, ‘Man, I’d sure like to make a country record someday,’ and I finally got to do it.

NS: You made the move to country music in 2008. How do you feel about that decision three years later?

DR: It was a great decision. It was something I was going to do on my own, and when Capitol [Records] got involved, things really took off. It’s been fun to watch. It was something I wanted to do for myself, but Capitol had bigger plans than that.

NS: You recently joined Lionel Richie for a duet, performing “Stuck on You.” What was that experience like?

DR: Lionel was such an idol for me as a kid growing up in the ’70s and early ’80s when Lionel was making all those great songs. To get a phone call saying that Lionel Richie wants you on his duets record was pretty crazy. To get to pick the song I wanted – one of the songs that I’ve sung a million times in the back of the car driving somewhere – I knew exactly what I wanted to do. It was one of the best honors I’ve had.

NS: Is there anyone else you’d like to duet with in the future?

DR: Sure, there’s lots of people. Carrie Underwood, Reba [McEntire], and I’d love to do something with Dolly Parton. I’d love to do something with Keith Urban or Jamey Johnson some day.

NS: You were the first black artist to have a No. 1 hit on the country charts in many, many years. How do you get the black community more involved in country music?

DR: The funny thing for me is the letters and other stuff I get from African-American people who already love country music. For me, it’s funny how the stigma that’s been there for many years still exists. I’m getting all these letters saying, “I love country music, and you’re making these records.” It’s pretty wild.

NS: What do you like about playing college towns?

DR: Oh, you know, college kids. College kids want to come to these shows, and they like to have a good time. They’ve got a great appreciation for music, and they’ve come to dance. They usually don’t sit down too much. I love that.

NS: How do you sell someone who still associates you with Hootie and the Blowfish on your new musical endeavor?

DR: Well I’m not much on selling. You should just try listening to the music. If you don’t get it, if you don’t like it, that’s cool. But my records are pretty country.

NS: You’re beginning a tour in January with Lady Antebellum. Are you looking forward to that?

DR: Very much so. I love those guys, and I’m a huge fan. They’re also good friends, and I’m looking forward to spending time playing golf and writing some songs and playing shows. I love being the opening act; it’s fun.

NS: It’s pretty well-known that you’re a Miami Dolphins fan. Are you on board with the “Suck for [Stanford quarterback] Andrew Luck” campaign?

DR: [laughs] I wasn’t until Tim Tebow beat them in the last 37 seconds of the game [Oct. 23.] Now I’m totally with Suck for Andrew Luck.