 More news ahead on NPR News. The time is 9.39. Thirty years ago on July 5th, 1994, Hootie and the Blowfish released their first album, Cracked Rear View. It sold 21 million copies. But lead singer Darius Rucker didn't stick to rock music. I was told to my face that somebody didn't think their audience would ever accept a black country singer. That person was wrong, of course. Darius Rucker's multi-genre journey across the music industry. Next time on 1A.