‘Darius Rucker: They Called Me Hootie’ Documentary To Premiere Nov. 16

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A new feature-length documentary Darius Rucker: They Called Me Hootie, exploring the triumphs and hardships that shaped Rucker’s life and journey to superstardom, is set to premiere Nov. 16 on Hulu.

In the documentary, executive produced by Good Morning America co-anchor Robin Roberts and directed by Emmy-winner Jason Bergh, Rucker gets deeply personal about the cost of stardom, revealing his struggles with drugs and alcohol, the breakdown of his marriage, and his brushes with death. Through candid interviews with collaborators, friends and family, new footage from the road and in the studio, and never-before-seen tape dating back to the start of Hootie & the Blowfish, the film traces the journey of his extraordinary career, revealing a story of ambition, resilience and reinvention, and offering a revealing portrait of the man behind the music.

Friends and colleagues who have known and worked with Rucker throughout his career also share their personal stories in the documentary, including actor Woody Harrelson; Hootie & the Blowfish bandmates Jim “Soni” Sonefeld, Mark Bryan and Dean Felber; country stars Brad Paisley and Lady A; former manager Doc McGhee; and record producer Frank Rogers, among others.

“When I look back on my life and career, I never could have imagined the road I’d take or where it would lead me,” reflects Rucker. “I’ve had opportunities beyond anything I dreamed of, but there have also been times when I had to take a chance, bet on myself and trust that I could do things my own way. But I’ve never walked that road alone. The love and support of my family, my road family and the people I’ve been fortunate enough to work alongside have been at the heart of everything we’ve accomplished. With They Called Me Hootie, I get to reflect on that journey, the people and experiences that shaped me, and share a side of my story that people may not know.”

“I crossed paths with Darius 30 years ago, when I was with ESPN and Hootie & the Blowfish first appeared on College GameDay,” says Roberts. “I’ve enjoyed following and covering his career ever since, but I’ve never seen Darius quite like this. This documentary reveals a side of Darius that is raw, vulnerable and unexpected. It’s a deeply personal story, and I think audiences will be surprised by what they discover about this exceptionally talented man.”

Lorie Hollabaugh
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