Darius Rucker is going "Straight to Hell" in one of the coolest songs on his new album, When Was the Last Time, and Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean and Lady Antebellum singer Charles Kelley are along for the ride.

"Straight to Hell" is a song originally written by Drivin' N Cryin' singer Kevn Kinney and released on the Atlanta-based group's Mystery Road album in 1989. Rucker says he's wanted to cover it for a long time, but he never got around to it until he got a random phone call from Kelley.

"Charles calls me out of the blue and says, 'Hey man, I just listened to this Drivin' N Cryin' song, you should cut that 'Straight to Hell,'" Rucker tells Taste of Country Nights. "I thought that was the universe telling me to cut the song."

Nope, There's No Way These Country Singers Are 50!

Kelley also told Rucker he'd love to join him on the track, and Rucker ended up inviting Bryan and Aldean aboard for an all-star collaboration that he says he'd like to release as a single. The new recording trades the pathos and driving power-chord rock of Drivin' N Cryin's original with a more easygoing countrified, contemporary feel that has all of the hallmarks of an early contender for next year's Musical Event of the Year, and Rucker hopes he might find an opportunity to give the song even more exposure.

"I hope some awards show or something gives us an opportunity to come out and play that," he says.

Rucker released When Was the Last Time on Oct. 20. He's already scored a No. 1 hit with its lead single, "If I Told You," and the second single from the album, "For the First Time," is currently at country radio.

See Artists Who've Unexpectedly Gone Country

More From