Friday night, country artist Darius Rucker performed in front of a lively crowd at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium. Drew Davis and the Missouri Twang opened for Rucker.
The concert started at 8 p.m., but the party began well before that. The scene prior to 8 p.m. was one common during Spring Quarter on campus — loud music, dancing and a line for beer. The atmosphere was festive as attendees, many dressed in flannel, jeans and work boots, poured into the theater.
Frank Mazgaj, an Ohio University student, called Rucker “awesome” and said that this was the second time he had seen him in concert.
Ohio University student Kyle Raffel said, “(I) saw him in Cincinnati and this was the best concert of the year on the list,” in reference to the artists performing at Ohio University this year.
Country artists are always associated with “southern hospitality,” and there was no shortage of it in Rucker. Ashley Laber and Taylor Rhodes were lucky enough to be able to meet with Rucker before the show.
Laber said, “It was the best moment of my life.”
Rhodes added, “He asked about us and how we were. … He was really personable.”
Rucker’s charisma showed throughout the night. The artist didn’t play guitar during a number of his songs, instead only singing and dancing while interacting with the audience.
Rucker said, “You never know what playing at a theater is going to be like. … I would have this audience every show if I could.”
Rucker is equally famous for having been the lead singer and one of the songwriters for the band Hootie and the Blowfish.
The country artist performed some songs from his old band, much to the crowd’s delight.
Those in attendance cheered and sang along with both Rucker’s new and old songs from the beginning of the show to the end.
Rucker’s final song, “Purple Rain,” which the band debuted Friday, was fitting given the night’s dreary weather.
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