The lead singer of rock band Hootie & The Blowfish is among the recent crossover acts to try his hand at country music. His debut single, "Don't Think I Don't Think About It," was sent out nationwide today after garnering airplay in key markets earlier this month. It's currently in the lower rungs of the Billboard Hot Country Airplay chart.

Rucker says he doesn't want to be thought of as a "one-off" act. "You see a lot of people doing a one-off, saying, 'This is my country record.' But this is a career I'm trying to build," Rucker said in an interview with Billboard. "The people that say that they don't get it, I'll let the music speak for itself. I plan to do a lot of country records."

Produced by Frank Rogers (Brad Paisley), the album is tentatively scheduled for fall release on Capitol Nashville. After Hootie & the Blowfish finishes touring in August, Rucker hopes to hit the road with his own band. Rucker marks his influences as Radney Foster and Lyle Lovett.

Labels: Darius Rucker