ABC News Studios made "Darius Rucker: They Called Me Hootie," with GMA's Robin Roberts as an executive producer. Woody Harrelson tells how he helped save Rucker's life.
Hootie & the Blowfish fans, it's time to hold somebody's hand.
"Darius Rucker: They Called Me Hootie" premieres Monday, Nov. 16, on Hulu, and Hulu released the trailer Monday. The feature-length documentary comes from ABC News Studios, and Good Morning America co-anchor Robin Roberts is an executive producer.
Emmy winner Jason Bergh directs and is an executive producer. ITV America Nashville produced the film for ABC News Studios, Country Evolution reported. Adam Reed and Sarah Howell executive produce for ITV America Nashville, with David Sloan and Katie Conway on the ABC News Studios side.
Rucker said he wants to "share a side of my story that people may not know." Roberts said the film shows a side of him that's "raw, vulnerable and unexpected."
The singer doesn't sugarcoat it in the trailer. "Every time I want to do something, somebody tells me I can't do it," he says, ABC7 New York reported.
How can I watch They Called Me Hootie?
Hulu: The documentary premieres there Monday, Nov. 16. Hulu with ads costs $12.49 a month after September's price hike, and ad-free Hulu Premium costs $21.49, Laughing Place reported.
Disney+: In the U.S., Disney+ and Hulu bundle subscribers can watch it through Hulu on Disney+, Country Evolution reported. Disney+ also carries it in select international markets.
Disney owns all of it: Hulu, Disney+, ABC News Studios and Good Morning America, where Roberts co-anchors.
Who is in the Darius Rucker documentary?
A pretty deep guest list, per ABC7 New York and Consequence:
Hootie & the Blowfish: Jim "Soni" Sonefeld, Mark Bryan and Dean Felber
Woody Harrelson: Rucker's longtime friend
Country stars: Brad Paisley and Lady A
Behind the scenes: former manager Doc McGhee and record producer Frank Rogers
Harrelson tells how he helped save Rucker's life, ABC7 reported. Rucker says he "almost died several times."
What does the documentary cover?
It starts with Rucker's childhood in Charleston, South Carolina, Holy City Sinner reported. It follows him to the University of South Carolina, where he met the guys who became Hootie & the Blowfish.
From there, it gets personal. Rucker talks about his struggles with drugs and alcohol, the end of his marriage and his brushes with death, Country Evolution reported.
There's new material, too. The film has fresh footage of Rucker recording an upcoming album, plus never-before-seen tape from Hootie's early days. No title or date for that album yet.
Rucker said he had to "bet on myself" and do things his own way, iHeartRadio's K93 Country reported. He also said he "never could have imagined the road I'd take."
The trailer leans on that second act, from arena rock to the country charts. ABC7 New York described the film as tracking both the highs and the lows along the way.
How big was Hootie & the Blowfish?
Huge. The band's debut album, Cracked Rear View, came out in July 1994 and hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200. It produced "Hold My Hand," "Let Her Cry" and "Only Wanna Be with You."
Hootie won two Grammys at the 1996 ceremony: best new artist, and a pop group performance award for "Let Her Cry."
What has Darius Rucker done since Hootie?
He went country, and it worked.
2008: Released his first country album
2012: Joined the Grand Ole Opry
2014: Won a Grammy for best country solo performance for "Wagon Wheel"
2023: Released the album "Carolyn's Boy"
2024: Published his memoir, "Life's Too Short," a New York Times bestseller
He has four No. 1 albums on the Billboard Country chart and 10 No. 1 singles at country radio, Country Evolution reported. His newest single is "I Believe."
Fans who only know "Wagon Wheel" from every wedding reception since 2013 have some homework before Nov. 16.
Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.
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Hat Tips:
ABC7 New York (Nov. 9, 2026), the premiere platforms, the guest list, Harrelson's role and Rucker's trailer quotes
Country Evolution (Nov. 9, 2026), the production credits, the Disney+ availability, film content and Rucker's career stats
Consequence (Nov. 9, 2026), the trailer, guest list and film topics
Holy City Sinner (Nov. 9, 2026), the Charleston and University of South Carolina background
K93 Country (iHeartRadio) (Nov. 9, 2026), Rucker's quotes from the announcement
Hits Daily Double (Nov. 9, 2026), the director and executive producer
Laughing Place (Sept. 23, 2026), Hulu's current price
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