Universal Music Publishing Group has signed an exclusive, worldwide publishing agreement with Darius Rucker, who has established a successful solo country music career aside from his Hootie & the Blowfish fame.

The deal encompasses all of his writing for 2008's "Learn to Live," plus his future solo work, including his forthcoming solo album, "Charleston, SC 1966," due Oct. 12.

In 2009, Rucker won the new artist of the year award from the Country Music Association. "Learn To Live" has sold 1.44 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.