Scene roundup

Hootie's Rucker tryingto reinvent himself
LAS VEGAS -- Former Hootie and the Blowfish front man Darius Rucker is hoping to reinvent himself as a country dude.
Rucker donned blue jeans and boots and walked the orange carpet at Tuesday's Academy of Country Music Awards, promoting an album he hopes to release this fall.
The South Carolina native said the transition from college-radio pop singer to country crooner has been easy for someone who grew up listening to Patsy Cline and Buck Owens on AM radio and watching "Hee Haw" on TV.
"I've always been into it," he said.
Rucker also said his forthcoming country album is no one-shot deal.
"I want to see myself here getting an award next year," he said. "I plan to make a lot of country records."
Nominee Swift enjoysbeing a big country fan
LAS VEGAS -- Teenager Taylor Swift wasn't just a nominee at the Academy of Country Music Awards. She was a fan, too.
"I can't help it. I'm just staring at all these people," the 17-year-old said as she walked down the orange carpet.
Swift, who was nominated for best new female vocalist, had her trademark long blonde ringlets up in a loose bun as she arrived for the show.
Later in the evening, her hair flowing, Swift picked up a guitar and performed her hit song, "Tim McGraw," for its namesake, as he and his wife, country star Faith Hill, sat in the audience, beaming.
"Hi, I'm Taylor," she told McGraw at the end of the song, and he and Hill embraced her.
"Oh, that's sweet. That's very sweet," the show's host, Reba McEntire, said. "If there's any teenage boys out there that want to write a song about Reba McEntire. I'm just sayin'... ."
Former 'Idol' contestantsenjoy media attention
LAS VEGAS -- Thanks in part to the success of 2005 "American Idol" winner Carrie Underwood, the orange carpet at this year's Country Music Awards was riddled with Simon Cowell survivors.
At least three other former "Idol" contestants trolled for media attention Tuesday, including Carmen Rasmusen (season two) and Bucky Covington and Kellie Pickler (season five).
Pickler, who was nominated for best new female artist, said "American Idol" got her ready for the big leagues, introducing her to the tough side of the business.
"It's like musical boot camp," said Pickler, who'd also glammed up her look for the show.
Covington hopes "Idol" will provide a launching pad to bigger and better things.
He even had praise for Cowell, saying he learned to control his blond curls after "American Idol's" cantankerous judge picked on him during a particularly bad hair day.
Associated Press
Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.