Hootie has been sucked into the country music vortex and now the Blowfish are left to swim alone.
Darius Rucker, frontman of the award-winning rock band Hootie & the Blowfish, is leaving his bandmates behind so he can focus on a solo career as a country music star.
Rucker made the announcement last week saying that while he and the rest of the band will do four charity concerts each year, they will no longer record new music or tour together.
Like pop star Jessica Simpson did last year, Rucker says he wants to try his hand at being a country crooner. He also added that the audience’s response to his crossover will be what influences his decision to stick with it or return to the Blowfish. Rucker admitted to reporters that he might rejoin the band after he has recorded three or four country albums.
ANISTON THE STALKER
Jennifer Aniston is returning to NBC primetime… not as a “Friend,” but as a stalker.
NBC execs announced yesterday that the actress will play a “free-spirited, Fatal Attraction-like stalker” when she guest stars on “30 Rock” this fall.
According to producers, Aniston will be playing Claire Harper, Liz Lemon’s (played by Tina Fey) former roommate who shows up in New York and becomes obsessed with Alec Baldwin’s character Jack Donaghy.
“30 Rock” returns for its new season October 30th.
HEAVENLY WEDDING
It’s a wedding made in 7th Heaven for a former TV star.
Actress Beverly Mitchell, who starred in the now defunct TV series “7th Heaven” is just a few weeks away from what is being called a star-studded Italian wedding.
Mitchell will be marrying fiance Michael Cameron in October in a lavish ceremony, and has reportedly asked her “7th Heaven” co-star Jessica Biel and Duff sisters Hilary and Haylie to be her bridesmaids. Biel played Mitchell’s sister on the long-running TV show.
Mitchell’s Italian nuptials will also be the site of a semi-reunion for the once popular boy band ‘N Sync.
Justin Timberlake is expected to accompany his girlfriend, Biel, to the wedding, while his former bandmates Joey Fatone and Lance Bass are reportedly among Mitchell’s other guests.
No word if the boys have plans to collectively serenade the actress on her big day.