Darius Rucker arrested on drug charges
Darius Rukker has been arrested for a minor drug offense.
The country star, 57, was taken into custody by Franklin Police in Williamson County, Tennessee on Thursday, February 1. We weekly can confirm. Rucker was indicted on three separate charges, including simple possession/casual exchange of a controlled substance x2 and one count of violation of registration law, all felonies.
According to TMZRucker has been released on bail and is no longer in custody.
“Darius Rucker is cooperating fully with authorities regarding criminal charges,” Rucker's attorney said Mark Purjaar told Us in a statement Thursday.
Before entering the world of country music, Rucker was the frontman of the band Hootie and the Blowfish until his departure in 2008. Following his departure from the band, Rucker's first single, “Don't Think I Don't Think About It” was released. , debuted at No. 1, making him the first black artist to reach number one on the Hot Country Songs charts since the legendary Charley proud did that in 1983.
Rucker has since won a Grammy and scored 10 No. 1s with his solo work. Despite the recognition, the singer doubted he would ever find success on his own.
“When I started doing radio stations and stuff, people told me, 'My audience would never accept a black country singer,'” he said. ET Canada in August 2023. “That was something where I was like, 'Okay, just play the record, let's see?' And then they did.”
Other songs among Rucker's No. 1 hits include “It Won't Be Like This for Long,” “Alright,” “Come Back Song,” “This,” “If I Told You” and “For the First Time” . He has scored both a Grammy and an ACM for his solo music, in addition to the two Grammys he won with his Hootie and the Blowfish bandmates in 1996.
While Rucker has enjoyed tremendous amounts of professional success, his personal life has seen bumpier times. Him and wife Beth Leonard separated in July 2020 after 20 years of marriage. The pair, who married in 2000, share daughter Daniella, 22, and son Jack, 18. (The country singer also has a 28-year-old daughter, Carolyn, from a previous relationship.)
“Beth and I would like to share that after much consideration, we have made the decision to consciously separate,” Rucker wrote via Instagram while announcing the couple's decision to go their separate ways. “We remain close friends and parenting partners and continue to be each other's biggest cheerleaders. Our priority will always be our beautiful family. We have so much love in our hearts for each other and will continue to encourage growth and expansion in each other. Please be kind as we embark on this journey, and we thank you always for your love and support.
In November 2023, Rucker shared that he had to “work” on treating himself kindly after the exes called it quits for good.
“My 50-something self is a lot more forgiving than my mid-20s self,” he said during an Apple Music session.Today's Country Radio with Kelleigh Banner” episode. “You have to, because life goes on.”
He continued, “Your kids are still your kids, and you have a life, and you try to make the best of it. As I always say, [Beth’s] a saint, she is a wonderful person, and she is a wonderful mother. And we get through life.”