Darius Rucker Unveils Major New Project Following Drug Arrest

Darius Rucker is ready to share his story in a new memoir. The country singer recently announced his readiness to reveal the highs and lows of his life and career in "Life's Too Short," which will be released on May 28.

The unexpected update closely follows Rucker's arrest in Tennessee for a minor drug offense earlier this month.

Rucker's thrust into fame began when he became the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of Hootie & the Blowfish, a band he co-founded in 1986 with three classmates from the University of South Carolina. The band achieved immense success, selling over 25 million albums globally. 

Many years later, the three-time Grammy Award winner is set to give fans a glimpse into his band's journey from performing in gritty dive bars and fraternity houses to their success with their Double Diamond-certified album, "Cracked Rear View." 

The memoir will also document Rucker's solo career accomplishments, including his Diamond-certified smash hit "Wagon Wheel" and his experiences performing alongside music legends such as Al Green, Bruce Springsteen, Adele, David Crosby, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Neil Young, and Taylor Swift, among others.

According to Ruckus, "Life's Too Short" promises to be both "entertaining and moving," offering a classic narrative of a man and his profound relationship with music. Reflecting on his journey in a statement to PEOPLE magazine, the singer disclosed that he finds solace in musical memories, even during challenging times.

"If I look back at my life and try to see into my past, everything seems blurry. But then I lean in and start to hear something. Melodies. Chords. Harmonies. Lyrics," the 57-year-old shared.

The "Beers and Sunshine" hitmaker continued, "This book is the story of my life as told through 23 songs that took me away, soaring, starting at ground level, living in a poor but happy home, never wanting for much more, enjoying what I had, even when times got tough because I had my escape, my refuge, my music."

As mentioned, Rucker was recently taken into custody after law enforcement officers stopped him when they noticed expired tags on his vehicle last year. 

Per The Blast, the "Let Her Cry" performer was busted for alleged possession of marijuana, a THC pen, and unidentified purple pills after being stopped and searched by cops in Williamson County, Tennessee, in February 2023. 

However, it was not until Thursday, February 1, that Rucker turned himself in for the charge. Luckily, all of the country star's charges were misdemeanors and he was released from custody on the same day of his arrest.

In the days after Rucker's arrest, he graced a Las Vegas stage alongside Miami Dolphins player Tua Tagovailoa. The Charleston native and the quarterback delivered such a flawless rendition of "Wagon Wheel" that the audience enthusiastically joined in.

Both performers were seen exhibiting their talents — Rucker was the lead vocalist, while Tagovailoa accompanied him on acoustic guitar and backup vocals in a video shared online. The crowd, which included New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones and his friends, appeared to have a blast, enjoying the performance immensely.

The duo's performance did not happen overnight; it had been in the works since last December. Tagovailoa first showcased his vocal skills during an appearance on the "Manningcast," where he was filmed playing his guitar while the Jacksonville Jaguars played against the Cincinnati Bengals. 

When the video of Tagovailoa's performance went viral, Rucker, a longtime fan of the Dolphins, took notice and expressed his desire to collaborate with the football star soon.