Any doubts about a second life for Hootie, by this point, have been dispelled.
Darius Rucker, who will play the Tulalip Amphitheatre at 7 p.m. Sunday, started his transition in 2008, scoring a hit with his first country album, “Learn to Live.”
It was hard to tell if the change would stick. After all, this was the lead singer of Hootie and the Blowfish, a guy who also put out an album of neo-soul.
But he stuck by his guns, and in 2010, released his second country album, “Charleston, SC 1966.”
Good move: It topped the country chart, and even scored Hot 100 hits, such as “Come Back Song.”
Expect to hear that track when he plays the amphitheater. Tickets are $54.25 to $75.25 at ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.
While tickets for Rucker remain, country fans will be hard pressed for seats to see Alison Krauss and Union Station at 7 p.m. Saturday.
The sold-out gig at the Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery Amphitheatre will find Krauss supporting her own No. 1 country album, “Paper Airplane.”
Fans can call the winery at 425-488-1133 to see if last-minute seats are available.
For a country music grab-bag, head east to the Gorge Amphitheatre for the Watershed Festival, running Friday night through Sunday.
The fest features dozens of acts and big-name headliners. Dierks Bentley plays Friday night, Miranda Lambert plays Saturday and Blake Shelton plays Sunday.
Three-day passes are $112.40 to $171 at ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.
Not a country fan? Don’t worry. Options abound.
Classic rock stalwarts Aerosmith and Cheap Trick will play the Tacoma Dome on Wednesday.
“Aerosmith is back with a new vengeance and we will kick your ass and make out with yur (sic) mothers,” singer and recently retired American Idol judge Steven Tyler said, employing his usual subtlety.
Tickets are $48.32 to $129.50 at ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.
The Last Summer on Earth Tour, meanwhile, will unite big names from the 1990s for a show at 6 p.m. Friday night at Marymoor Park.
The bill features the Barenaked Ladies, Blues Traveler, Big Head Todd and the Monsters and Cracker.
Tickets are $38 to $81.75 at ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.
If those groups are too mainstream, hit the Vans Warped Tour on Saturday at Marymoor Park.
The punk rock festival will feature another massive line-up — roughly 70 bands, many virtually unknown — with headliners All Time Low, Taking Back Sunday and New Found Glory.
Tickets are $41.50 at ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.
A string of shows at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre also offers some interesting acts.
First up is Yanni, playing at 8 p.m. Saturday.
Tickets to see the New Age icon are $53.93 to $136.19 at ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.
Then Sigur Ros, the Icelandic rock band, plays the venue at 8 p.m. Wednesday.
Tickets to see the group, supporting its new album, “Valtari,” are $45 at stgpresents.org or 877-784-4849.
Finally, Regina Spektor will play the theater at 8 p.m. Thursday.
The poppy pianist also is supporting a new album, “What We Saw From the Cheap Seats.”
Tickets are $25.75 to $45.75 at stgpresents.org or 877-784-4849.
Andy Rathbun: 425-339-3479, arathbun@heraldnet.com
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