Darius Rucker has wanted to surprise his hometown of Charleston, S.C., with a concert for a long time, and CMT’s Instant Jam series gave him the perfect opportunity.
On Saturday night (Sept. 5) at 10 p.m. ET, the pop-up concert he performed Aug. 26 at the Windjammer will premiere. “You never get the chance to do something like that because you’re always on the road or you’re making records,” Rucker tells Billboard. “I thought it was an awesome idea.”
In keeping with the format of the series, Rucker gave hints via social media before letting fans have all the details the morning of the show. “My phone was blowing up,” he recalls. “Everybody was wanting to know what was happening. Once we announced that we were playing at the Windjammer, things really went crazy.”
Of course, longtime Rucker fans will know the significance of the Windjammer being the location. “We used to play there in the early days of Hootie & the Blowfish. It was a great place to start for us, and we’re still friends with the owner. I’m a godfather to his daughter, and there’s a lot of memories there. I thought it would be a great place to do it. Anytime I get a chance to do something in Charleston, it’s special. I love everything about my hometown.”
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One of the highlights of the show was Rucker’s stirring a cappella version of “Amazing Grace,” which the singer dedicated to the victims of the Charleston church shooting. Rucker is proud of the way his hometown handled the overwhelming tragedy. “I’m sitting across from the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church right now waiting for my boy to come out of school,” Rucker says. “That was an amazing experience — it was so heartfelt, because the city could have gone the other way. It was such a tragedy, and so hard to believe that it happened. But Charleston came together and everyone grew closer. That was an acknowledgement of the place I’m from, that I love, and where I live.”
Another place Rucker has grown quite fond of is the Grand Ole Opry, which will celebrate its 90th birthday in October. “It is such an amazing place, and at 90 years old, it’s still going more than strong. To be part of that family is amazing. When I first came to Nashville, I told my manager that I wanted to play it as much as I can. To be a member of it is incredible. It makes me feel like I’m a part of something special.”
Just like many of his fellow South Carolinians, Rucker is also excited for football season — particular with the 17-13 Gamecocks’ win over North Carolina last night. “For about an hour and a half last night, we were the only undefeated team! We were the best in the country,” he jokes. “I’m looking forward to this season. If we get some strong quarterback and defensive play, it can be a good year — which a good year in the SEC can be 10-3. I just hope we come together, and Coach Spurrier will do a wonderful job.”