In 1995, Darren won the Trans Tasmin Award at the Norfolk Island Country Music Festival. It was at this festival that Darren met the Dead Ringer Band and began touring with them.
In 1996, Darren wrote and recorded the song 'Homefires' with the Dead Ringer Band which won an ARIA Award for "Country Song Of The Year!" A great achievement for Darren and the band.
Also in 1996, Darren won the Toyota Star Maker Quest which saw the beginning of Darrens solo recording career when he launched his debut Star Maker single. The single consisted of two songs, 'The Dream remains the Same' and 'Lets Pretend'.
August 1997 saw the release of Darren's debut album 'Hometown' through ABC/EMI records. The first single from the album titled "Back In My Hometown" reached the number 1 position in the Australian Country Music Charts. His second single, "The Heartland" shot to number 3, and his third single a cover of Van Morrisons hit "Brown Eyed Girl" peaked at number 3 staying in the charts for 28 weeks.
In 1998, Darren was nominated for 5 Golden Guitar Awards at the Tamworth Country Music Festival. The nominations were, "Male Vocalist of the Year", "A.P.R.A. song of the Year", "Video Clip of the Year" all for the song "Back Im My Hometown", "Vocal Collaboration of the Year", with Jane Saunders for "Sleepless Nights", and "Bush Ballad of the Year" for the song "Silence and Me". Darren was the highest nominated artist at these awards.
Also in 1998, Darren was named "Young Citizen of the Year" by the Australia Day Committee in his beloved home town of Wagga Wagga.
Darren has also performed as part of the Gershwin Country and has lent his vocals to record a tribute album to George Gershwin. In which he sings a couple of songs incredibly.
Towards the end of 1999, Darren won the Major role of Richie Cunningham in the Mega Arena Musical Happy Days which also starred some of the big names in Australian Entertainment such as :- Human Nature, Craig Mclachlan, Jo Beth Taylor, Rebecca Gibney, Jon Stevens as well as many others
Darren was a star in the "Young Stars of Country" along with Felicity, Beccy Cole and Adam Harvey. Unfortunately at the present moment the line up for the "YSOC" show has changed and Darren no longer tours as part of "YSOC"
At the 2001 Tamworth Country Music Awards, finally after all the hard work, Darren, along with Beccy Cole, Felicity and Adam Harvey won a Golden Guitar for "Vocal Collaboration of the Year" for 'Do I Ever Cross Your Mind' a Dolly Parton Cover
Throughout 2001/02, Darren was touring with Grease - The Mega Musical, under the big top with the duel roles of Teen Angel/Vince Fontaine.
Darren made a guest appearance on channel 7's hit show All Saints as Rhys Bowen, a kidney doner, In May of 2001.
Darren hosted a program on Music Country called Out and About - the great aussie pub tour, which screened every month at a different pub!
Darren is currently touring around the country with 'Shout the musical of the Wild One' under the big top. Darren's main role is that of Col Joye but actually plays about 5 others roles throughout the show! Just shows how talented daz really is!
Darren's long awaited second album is now out and doing great. "Balancing Act" was produced by Nash Chambers and features some special guests to help out with the already amazing songs!