Darius Rucker St. Jude’s Benefit Announced For June 3 At Ryman Auditorium

Darius Rucker will return to the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville Monday, June 3, for the 15th annual “Darius and Friends” concert benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The event promises a “surprise all-star roster of friends” as the unofficial kickoff to the week of CMA Fest in downtown Nashville. Darius and Friends has raised more than $3.6 million to date, according to the announcement.

Tickets start at $69 with VIP package options up to $249, available via AXS.com. Presale access begins tomorrow, April 30 at 10 a.m. CT, with public onsale on Friday, May 3.

Past performers at the event have included Lauren Alaina, Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, Jelly Roll, Charles Kelley of Lady A, Ashley McBryde, A.J. McLean of the Backstreet Boys, Megan Moroney, Brad Paisley, Kenny Rogers and Tommy Thayer of KISS.

Rucker was honored as the 2023 CMA Humanitarian of the Year for his philanthropic work throughout his career, and first made a commitment to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital nearly two decades ago after visiting the hospital.

Other philanthropic efforts from the former Hootie & The Blowfish frontman include co-chairing the capital campaign that generated $150 million to help build the new MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital in his hometown of Charleston, S.C.

Rucker has advocated for over 200 charitable causes supporting public education and junior golf programs in South Carolina through the Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation and serves as a National Chair for the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville, Tenn.