If you are a close friend of mine, you know that my favorite country artist, by far, is Darius Rucker. For a group/duo, I love Brothers Osborne, songwriting, and I love Zach Bryan. But, overall, I love Darius Rucker.
Not only do I love his voice, but I also love the style of his songs. From heartbreak, reminiscing, or just bringing good vibes, Rucker does a great job of grabbing the listener and hooking them.
So, you may ask, “Ben, why are you writing about Darius Rucker out of nowhere?” Well, awesome Raised Rowdy reader, he is going on tour again this summer.
Let me tell you a story.
It was last summer, July 12th to be exact. My dear friend, Nick, and I, perhaps the biggest Darius Rucker fans north of the Carolinas, went to see him in Atlantic City at the Hard Rock Casino & Hotel.
We got there early after a long day of walking up and down the boardwalk, baking in the July sun.
As soon as our tickets were scanned, we dashed to the auditorium where Rucker would soon enter. Opening for Rucker, was Shane Profitt.
Proffit was awesome. Profitt, a rising star in the Tennessee scene, brought it. He has banger singles like Long Live Country, Back Home, Better Off Fishin’ and more.
Proffit did a perfect set-up job for Rucker and the tension was building. I was front row and ready to be face-to-face with my favorite of them all.
People would be trying to nudge in front of my skinny and tall self, but I held my ground.
When Profitt left the stage, the lights dropped and a backdrop of a water tower came into light, signaling Rucker making his entrance.
Before I could realize, he appeared. It was THE Darius Rucker. The soundtrack of my life was in front of me.
Rucker opened up with Life’s Too Short, then transitioned to It Won’t Be Like This For Long and For The First Time.
But, something felt off. Rucker was struggling with memorization of the lyrics, his voice would crack and he would continually shake his head.
Rucker after singing For The First Time, he had to cancel a show, for the first time.
Part of me was thinking, “This can’t be real, he has to be joking, he is going to bring out someone!”
But, it was true. Before he left the fans, he sang his greatest hit, Wagon Wheel. Helping him finish the song was his fans which made for an emotional close to the 10 minute set.
I was distraught. I was almost brought to tears, to be honest. It made me emotional to see my favorite artist be so mad at himself that he couldn’t finish the show.
Nick and I stayed after for a few minutes to see if it was a bit, but the production crew started to clean up the stage and I knew it was over.
I walked to the car and thought it over. I wasn’t mad, just sad that I couldn’t see Darius. I was in the front row! I was making eye-contact with him!
Part of me was like, “Will I ever get to see him?”
I drove back to my home, and moved on.
Until February 24th, when Rucker announced on his Instagram that he was going on tour and returning back to Atlantic City on June 12th.
When I got the news, I immediately shared it on my story and sent it to Nick. I will be seeing Darius Rucker this summer.
On June 12th, Austin Williams will be opening up for Rucker.
I am now counting the months, the weeks and the days until I can make my way back to Atlantic City to see Darius.