Darius Rucker joins TNT holiday special

COLUMBIA, S.C., Dec. 17 (UPI) -- American singer-songwriter Darius Rucker says he will perform a special, and appropriate, song at this year's "Christmas in Washington" concert.

The Hootie & the Blowfish frontman, who launched a successful country music career this year, will be singing "If I Had Wings," which appears on his latest solo album, "Learn to Live."

"I think it's just a real spiritual kind of song and really uplifting," Rucker explains. "It's just a song about what the Christmas spirit's about, about being good and uplifting and a positive person. (The show's producers) just liked it and asked me to play it."

"Learn to Live" made its debut at No. 1 on the Billboard country charts in September. The single "Don't Think I Don't Think About It" made Rucker the first African-American to top the country singles charts since 1983. In 2009 he'll be touring with Brad Paisley and Dierks Bentley.

"Christmas in Washington" was taped at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., and will air at 8 p.m. Wednesday on TNT. Hosted by Dr. Phil and Robin McGraw, it also features performances by Raphael Saadiq, Straight No Chaser, Casting Crowns, Kristin Chenoweth and Julianne Hough.