• AOL
  • MAIL
    • You might also like: 
    • Music | 
    • Movies | 
    • TV | 
    • Celebrity News
    •  and More
    Sign In / Register
Spinner
  • Main
  • Spinner RPM
  • Features
    • The Hit List
    • Spinner Interview
    • Tributes & Essays
    • Music Appreciation
  • Songs
    • Free MP3 of the Day
    • Play Full Albums Free
  • Videos
    • The Interface
    • Sessions
    • Video of the Day
    • All Videos
  • Radio
    • AOL Radio
    • AOL Radio Toolbar
    • Shoutcast
  • AOL Music Sites
    • The Boot
    • The BoomBox
    • Noisecreep
    • AOL Music Blog
  • SXSW
  • Send Feedback
  • Katherine McPhee

    Watch Katharine McPhee Sessions
  • Sugarland

    Watch Sugarland's Sexy Duet With Matt Nathanson
  • Beyonce

    Get Beyonce News
  • Katy Perry

    Read Latest on Katy Perry
  • Ringo Starr

    Read Ringo Starr Interview
  • Jill Janus of Huntress

    Huntress Reveal Debut Album Art
  • Kellie Pickler

    Read Kellie Pickler Interview
  • Chris Brown

    Chris Brown 'Wins' Unwelcome Award

Spinner Exclusives

  • The Interface - Live Performances
  • Listening Parties - New CDS for Free
  • Spinner Radio
  • Listening Parties - New CDS for Free

Features

  • Best Songs 2011
  • Top Albums of 2011
  • Sad Songs
  • Music Geeks in Film
  • Best Opening Lyrics

All Categories

  • Monthly Mixtape(1)
  • A Day in the Life(5)
  • All About Jazz(96)
  • Awards(233)
  • Free MP3 Download of the Day(1674)
  • Around the World(205)
  • Between the Notes(36)
  • Book Club(94)
  • Celebrity Doppelganger(18)
  • Clash of the Cover Songs(49)
  • Coming Out Stories(23)
  • Concerts and Tours(6846)
  • Count Five(83)
  • Exclusive(5981)
  • Guest Blogger(133)
  • Holy Hell(1016)
  • I Fought the Law(111)
  • I Freakin' Love This Song(252)
  • In House(12)
  • Listen Up!(18)
  • Movies(424)
  • Music Appreciation(123)
  • New Music(862)
  • New Releases(615)
  • News(12277)
  • PhotoSynthesis(88)
  • Picture Book(31)
  • Politics as Usual(61)
  • Pop Culture(93)
  • Potent Quotables(776)
  • Q + A(494)
  • Quizzes & Trivia(6)
  • R.I.P.(454)
  • Road Report(61)
  • Rock Almanac(366)
  • Rock Hall(44)
  • RPM(263)
  • Spinner Says(16)
  • Spinner Interview(212)
  • Television(245)
  • The Chum Bucket(777)
  • The Hit List(1388)
  • Twisted Tales(194)
  • Video(1785)
  • Video of the Day(1226)
  • What's That Song?(134)

Darius Rucker Welcomes the Hootie Hoots

  • Posted on Sep 11th 2008 12:00PM by Benjy Eisen
  • Comments
Email This
If you're in your local Starbucks and you just happen to see Darius Rucker walk by, go ahead and yell "Hey, Hootie!" No, we're not trying to punk you. He actually doesn't mind that, these days. In fact, he kind of likes it. Rucker, who propelled to mega-stardom in the mid-'90s as the frontman for Hootie and the Blowfish, tells Spinner that people don't mistakenly call him Hootie much anymore.

"But if they do, I'm glad because they still know who I am and they're calling me. I'm down with that," he says. "After being in the limelight for 15 years, you're just glad that people still know who you are. Especially when I've lost some weight and I'm not the fat hippie anymore."

Of course, we don't only remember Rucker in the role of Hootie; we also remember him as being the fat hippie in the Burger King commercial. The one that, when it came on, we always said, "Hey look! Hootie is doing a Burger King commercial!"

But get it in now on the Hootie hoots while you can -- Rucker also tells Spinner that, apart from their annual charity gigs, Hootie and the Blowfish will be taking a five or six year hiatus while he pursues a solo career in country music. If you think we saw any of this coming, you thought wrong.



Bitter Band Breakups
  • Filed under: News, Exclusive
  • Email This

All the AOL Music info you want to know

Jessie James 'When You Say My Name'…

The Boot

David Livingston, Getty Images Straight out of high school, Jessie James had…

Nicki Minaj, Jay-Z Are the Same Person?…

The Boombox

Getty Images Is Nicki Minaj really Jay-Z? Can you prove otherwise? A recent…

Madonna Stalker Escapes From Mental…

AOL Music Blog

Ferdaus Shamim, WireImage LOS ANGELES (AP) - Police are asking for the…

See all AOL Music »

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum
13

14 Comments

Filter by:
Kelley

Darius and the rest of the Blowfish sat in the row in front of me at an Elton John concert last November.
They seemed to be having a great time being there together.
Hell, I even named my cat Hootie, in his honor!!

September 14 2008 at 6:19 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Alicia

I got to see 'Hootie' over the summer at the Grand Ole Opry and he sounded great!

September 12 2008 at 5:45 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Tamara

Hootie will always rock my socks! They're GREAT in concert!

September 12 2008 at 1:41 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
luvmysis56

HEY THERE....HUH....HE IS MINE..............HA

September 12 2008 at 12:16 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Will1682

So hard to believe that its been 13-14 years since Cracked Rear View exploded onto the scene. I still remember riding in the car, listening to the countdown and Time was #1 on the charts. All their albums had good music, they just overloaded in 95-96. They should have waited a couple years before releasing Fairweather Johnson.

September 12 2008 at 11:39 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
scriptwtr

Good for Hootie. I know what it's like to try and lose weight. I lost 47 pounds in 6 weeks using the Rapidthin diet at www.rapidthin.com. Good luck to all. Use what works for you.

September 12 2008 at 10:27 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to scriptwtr's comment
doug dieter

Betca gain it back + more in five years!!

September 12 2008 at 11:31 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
shafali

I dont really recall him being fat? But anyway he still looks great and I'm glad he doesnt get mad at people calling him Hootie anymore, i do recall that used to make him pretty mad.

September 12 2008 at 9:52 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Chester

Hootie is kick-ass. dont matter whether it's Hootie or Darius!!!

September 12 2008 at 9:39 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
unitedxvi

Darius Rucker was great as Hootie, and I think he will have a successful time persuing country music. "Don't think I don't think about it" is a great country song, and its nice to see him back.

September 12 2008 at 9:27 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
unitedxvi

Darius Rucker was great as Hootie, and I think he will have a successful time persuing country music. "Don't think I don't think about it" is a great country song, and its nice to see him back.

September 12 2008 at 9:26 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Load more comments

Follow Us

  • Newsletter
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS

Sign Up for Spinner's Newsletter! Get free MP3s, play a selection of each week's new albums free, read features, win sweet music swag and more!




  • Contact Us
  • Send News Tips
  • Advertise with Us

SIGN UP FOR SPINNER'S NEWSLETTER

  • Get free MP3s, play a selection of each week's new albums free, read features, win sweet music swag and more!

  • Sign Up!

AOL Radio

Listen to Slacker AOL Radio Now
play arrow
Top Indie - Today's best indie rock and pop
play arrow
Indie Rock Mix - A mix of new and old indie rock
play arrow
New Indie First - The latest in indie music
Online Radio Guide

Listen to Full CDs

  • Paul McCartney, 'Kisses on the Bottom'
  • Sharon Van Etten, 'Tramp'
  • AIR, 'Le Voyage Dans La Lune'
  • Bahamas, 'Barchords'
  • Band of Skulls, 'Sweet Sour'
  • Play More Albums Free

Most Popular

  • Can You Guess This Famous Face?
    Like

    21

  • Katy Perry Divorce: With No Prenup How Much Will Russell Walk Away With?
    Like

    17

  • It's Pink!
    Like

    12

  • M.I.A., Fiance Benjamin Bronfman Split, Singer Rarely Sees Son -- Report
    Like

    55

  • Alori Joh Dead: Singer and Kendrick Lamar Affiliate Dies at 25
    Like

    107

  • PHOTO: Miley Cyrus Wears Racy Garter Tights
    Like

    92

  • Can You Guess This Famous Face?
    Like

    7

  • PHOTOS: Anti-Gay Protesters Getting Pwned
    Like

    2K

  • It's Madonna!
    Like

    2

  • The Best And Worst Burgers
    Like

    212

  • Thudda Boy Dead: Rapper Brondon McDaniel Dies From Gunshot Wound
    Like

    40

  • Powell 911 Call Released: Cops Declare Investigation Of Missing Mom A Murder Case
    Like

    324

  • Chi Cheng Improving: Deftones Bassist Raises Leg After Three Years in Coma
    Like

    219

  • Woolly Mammoth Allegedly Caught On Video In Siberia
    Like

    797

  • Suge Knight Arrested on Marijuana Charge and Traffic Warrant
    Like

    25

  • Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino To Housemates: Stop Hinting I'm Gay
    Like

    126

  • PHOTOS: Massive Whale Shark Reeled Into Harbor
    Like

    2K

  • WATCH: This Is Your Body On Ramen
    Like

    17K

  • WATCH: Rose McGowan, Christie Brinkley & Minka Kelly Stumble On Runway
    Like

    17

  • Steve Jobs FBI File Reveals Bomb Threat, 'Tendency To Distort Reality' And More
    Like

    1K

  • WATCH: JFK Intern Discusses Sordid Details Of Affair
    Like

    814

  • 10 States Receive Waivers From No Child Left Behind Law
    Like

    4K

  • Third Photo Rejected By Yearbook, Editors Choose For Her
    Like

    90

  • WATCH: 7-Year-Old Girl Kicks And Screams Out Kidnapping At Walmart
    Like

    4K

  • U.S. Marines Posing With Symbol Resembling Nazi Logo 'Not Acceptable'
    Like

    2K

  • Santorum Sweeps Colorado, Missouri, Minnesota, Embarrassing Romney
    Like

    998

  • Valentine's Day: Celebs Show Us How To Wear Lingerie (PHOTOS)
    Like

    12

  • The Oldest Found Work Of Art Ever!
    Like

    988

  • Women Of A Certain Age With Hair Of A Certain Length
    Like

    64

  • THE HUNGER BLOGS: A Secret World of Teenage 'Thinspiration'
    Like

    1K

  • Post 50 Celebrity Dream Homes on the Market (PHOTOS)
    Like

    21

  • Is This The Legendary Worm Monster Of Iceland?
    Like

    698

  • Werewolf Sisters Are Coated In Hair (PICTURES)
    Like

    1K

Also on AOL

Quick Links

  • Slipknot Masks
  • Saddest Songs
  • Funny Music Videos
  • SXSW 2011

Also on AOL Music

  • Concert Tickets
  • Grammys 2012
  • Music Videos
  • New Music Releases

Blogs on AOL

  • Country Music
  • Hip Hop Music
  • Metal Music
  • Pop Music News

More on AOL

  • Best Lyrics
  • Best Metal Songs
  • Break Up Songs
  • Online Radio

More on AOL

  • Christmas Music
  • Classic Rock Songs
  • Best Songs of 2010
  • SHOUTcast

Help Links

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Trademarks
  • About Our Ads
  • Follow Spinner on Twitter
  • The Interface
  • Free MP3
  • Full CDs
  • RSS

Spinner.com © 2011 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.