Darius Rucker has been living in London recently, working on new music. This week, he’s back in Music City for CMA Fest. On Monday night, he unofficially launched the event with his 16th annual Darius and Friends concert, benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Before the concert, Rucker’s Darius & Friends event has raised more than $4.3 million for the Memphis-based hospital. That number will surely grow after his team calculates proceeds from Monday night’s auction and show.
Over the years, Rucker has wowed the crowd with his surprise friends list, including performances from Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Kane Brown, Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, and more. This year, Rucker shared his spotlight with country newcomers, including Austin Williams, Kashus Culpepper, Lanie Gardner, and Tyler Braden, inviting each of them to sing two or three songs for his packed house at Ryman Auditorium.
Williams sang “’90s Rap Mashup,” which he said changed his life. Williams blended several ’90s rap songs into one and switched the genre to country. The video has more than 14 million views on YouTube. Culpepper wowed with his cover of the Marshall Tucker Band’s “Can’t You See” and his song “Southern Man,” earning a raucous standing ovation from the audience. Gardner, who managed to hurt her hand over Memorial Day, worked up the crowd with “Six Feet Deep” and “Cry,” while Braden fought sound issues for his blistering cover of the Kings of Leon’s “Sex on Fire” then moved into his powerful “Devil You Know.”
Videos by American Songwriter
“Darius Rucker is a Badass Person”
Rucker saved his headliners for last, welcoming Luke Bryan and Morgan Wallen toward the end of the three-hour show. Bryan walked out to the auditorium of fans chanting his name, Luke, over and over. He told the audience that he and his wife, Caroline, annually host a charity event at their home and that they could always count on Rucker to attend.
“He’s always supported me when I needed him, and I’m just glad to be here supporting him,” Bryan said, then commented he forgot his drink. When fans offered there, he quipped: “I’m not drinking you all’s shit. I’ll wake up in Memphis eating ribs.”
The crowd laughed, and Bryan raised his red solo cup and said, “Darius Rucker is a badass human being.”
Bryan kicked off his three-song set with “Country Song Came On,” then got fans singing along even louder with his hit “Play it Again.” He closed with “Huntin’, Fishin’, and Lovin’ Every Day.”
Rucker said he met Wallen years ago and called him a “good friend” of his. The crowd cheered wildly when Wallen emerged in head-to-toe denim and a ballcap. Unlike everyone else who played Rucker’s event, Wallen brought two of his players. Everyone else used Rucker’s band. But Wallen recently released his new album, I’m The Problem, and is excited about his new sound.
Wallen told fans it was an honor and a privilege to play Rucker’s Ryman event and opened with an acoustic version of “20 Cigarettes.”
“I pretty much sing this one any time I’ve got a guitar in my hands,” Wallen said before kicking off his 2021 hit “More Than My Hometown.”
Morgan Wallen Sings “Hometown” Every Time He has a Guitar
While Rucker attracted country music’s biggest stars to his fundraiser, the night still belonged to him. The singer shared hits including “Beer & Sunshine,” “Radio,” “Alright,” “When Was the Last Time,” “Homegrown Honey,” and “Comeback Song,” along with a couple of Hootie & the Blowfish hits, “Hold My Hand” and “I Only Wanna Be with You.” He even shared a new love song he wrote with English singer-songwriter James Blunt.
Rucker changed the pace with a favorite mashup, Bell Biv DeVoe’s ‘Poison,’ Tim McGraw’s ‘I Like It, I Love It’ and TLC’s ‘Waterfalls.’”
Rucker closed the night with his seminal favorite, “Wagon Wheel,” and the knowledge he’d raised thousands more dollars for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.”
(Photo by Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock)
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.