MEET CHARLESTON SC:
Darius Rucker, Musician
Most everyone knows his deep Southern drawl and ‘Hootie’ nickname, but some many not know Darius Rucker is a Charleston native who can’t stop singing the praises of his hometown. “I was born here,” Rucker says proudly. “Charleston is embedded in who I am.”
As the frontman for Hootie and the Blowfish in the '90s, Rucker hit international airwaves with songs like “Hold My Hand” and “Only Wanna Be With You” topping the rock charts. The band's 1995 album Cracked Rear View is the 12th best-selling album of all time. As a solo artist, Rucker has released country CDs, Learn to Live and last year's Charleston, SC 1966 revealing his longtime love affair with country music—and Charleston.
In the CD liner notes for Charleston, SC 1966, Rucker says, “I was born, raised and live in the greatest city in the world....You should definitely visit.” The CD’s name is a tribute to an album titled Del Rio, Texas 1959 by Radney Foster, which convinced Rucker to pursue country music. “I’d always liked country music, but that album was the first time I thought I could sing it," Rucker says.
He still lives in Charleston, and says some of his favorite things about the city are the people, history, restaurants, beaches, and weather. “I also like to go out and eat—a lot.” Rucker adds, citing FIG, Oak Steakhouse, Peninsula Grill, Red Drum, and 17 North Roadside Kitchen as his current favorites. He makes time to head back to local live music venues. “I see bands at The Windjammer all the time,” Rucker says. “Music Farm also has great bands.”
Fans might also catch him out on the greens. This self-proclaimed golf addict hits the links at Patriot’s Point, Wild Dunes Resort, and Dunes West. His love affair with golf has led to even more charitable endeavors for the already generous star. During the past two decades, The Hootie and the Blowfish Foundation has donated more than $5 million to 180 causes, including the South Carolina Junior Golf Association. Rucker also sometimes performs at the annual Bulls Bay Golf Challenge in Awendaw benefitting the Medical University of South Carolina Children's Hospital.
Recently, he released a song, "Together, Anything's Possible" to raise money for the PGA TOUR charities. All proceeds from this year's downloads will help causes including The First Tee, an organization dedicated to impacting young lives through golf. And what could be better than golf, music, and a good cause?
Originally published in Southwest Airlines Spirit Magazine