For more than four decades, Darius Rucker has defied expectations, rising to fame as a member of two-time Grammy Award-winning Hootie & the Blowfish before forging a groundbreaking career in country music that earned him another Grammy as a soloist. Now, the new feature-length documentary “Darius Rucker: They Called Me Hootie” explores the triumphs and hardships that shaped Rucker’s life, from his childhood in Charleston, South Carolina, to music superstardom around the globe.
Executive produced by “Good Morning America” co-anchor Robin Roberts and directed by Emmy-winner Jason Bergh, the documentary premieres Monday, Nov. 16, on Hulu, Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the U.S. and Disney+ in select international markets.
Watch the Official Trailer
Darius Rucker Gets Deeply Personal
Rucker gets deeply personal about the cost of stardom, revealing his struggles with drugs and alcohol, the breakdown of his marriage and brushes with death. Through candid interviews with collaborators, friends and family, new footage from the road and in the studio as he records his forthcoming album and never-before-seen tape dating back to the start of Hootie & the Blowfish, the film traces the full journey of his extraordinary career, revealing a deeply personal story of ambition, resilience and reinvention.
“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.”
Robin Roberts: A Side of Darius “Raw, Vulnerable and Unexpected”
“I crossed paths with Darius 30 years ago, when I was with ESPN and Hootie & the Blowfish first appeared on ‘College GameDay,’” said 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.”
Woody Harrelson, Brad Paisley, Lady A and More Share Their Stories
Sharing their personal stories are those who have known and worked with Rucker throughout his career, including actor Woody Harrelson; Hootie & the Blowfish bandmates Jim “Soni” Sonefeld, Mark Bryan and Dean Felber; country music stars Brad Paisley and Lady A; former manager Doc McGhee; and record producer Frank Rogers, among others. Their stories offer a revealing portrait of the man behind the music.
“Darius Rucker: They Called Me Hootie” is produced by ITV America Nashville for ABC News Studios. It is directed and executive produced by Jason Bergh and executive produced by Adam Reed and Sarah Howell for ITV America Nashville, with Robin Roberts serving as executive producer. For ABC News Studios, David Sloan is the senior executive producer, and Katie Conway is executive producer.
What’s Next for Darius Rucker
Rucker’s new single “I Believe” is available everywhere now, following his 2023 album Carolyn’s Boy plus his New York Times bestselling memoir “Life’s Too Short,” released via Dey Street in 2024. Since releasing his first country album in 2008, he has earned four No. 1 albums on the Billboard Country chart plus 10 No. 1 singles at country radio, and he has been a Grand Ole Opry member since 2012.
