Three years later, Darius Rucker’s post-Hootie & The Blowfish gig as Burger King’s rhinestone-cowboy TV pitchman now makes perfect sense, as foreshadowing. Leaving behind the pop-music scene, Rucker’s embarking upon a career as a for-real Nashville artist, with his first countrified effort, “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It”, climbing nicely up the singles charts.

I’m hoping he once again adopts this purple cowpoke outfit as part of the career reinvention. And of course, I’m hoping he covers the bluegrass standard “Big Rock Candy Mountain”, just to make up for his infamous BK version:

When my belly starts a-rumblin’
And I’m jonesin’ for a treat
I close my eyes for a big surprise
The Tendercrisp Bacon Cheddar Ranch

I love the Tendercrisp Bacon Cheddar Ranch
No one tells you to behave
Your wildest fantasies come true
Dallas cheerleaders give you shaves
Red onions make you laugh instead
And french fries grow like weeds
You get to veg all day
All the lotto tickets pay
There’s a king who wants you to have it your way
That’s the Tendercrisp Bacon Cheddar Ranch

And yes, I’ve been waiting for some pretext for posting this image again. I’ll take this!