After abruptly ending a concert in Atlantic City, New Jersey, earlier this month, Darius Rucker appears good as new. The “Wagon Wheel” singer is crossing the country on his Carolyn’s Boy tour, named for his late mother. Recently, one young boy had a decision to make regarding Rucker’s July 24 stop at the Ledge Amphitheater in Waite Park, Minnesota. And while we can’t say for sure, it looks like he made the right one.
Darius Rucker Fan Misses Tryouts In Favor of Concert
Taking to social media Friday (July 25), Darius Rucker shared a series of photos from his latest show in Minnesota. One of those pictures showed a smiling young boy holding up a sign that read, “I’m missing soccer tryouts for this. Pic for proof.”
If you played sports as a child, you know that tryouts are absolutely everything. They set the tone for the entire season. So, possibly foregoing a spot on the team to see your favorite artist live isn’t a decision made lightly. Seeming to understand this, the Hootie and the Blowfish frontman rewarded the boy with his signed baseball cap.
“Good times in Minnesota last night!!” Rucker, 59, wrote on Instagram. “Hope little man still makes the soccer team.”
An avid sports enthusiast himself, Rucker has cheered for the Miami Dolphins since he was 5 years old. The Grammy winner is also an avid support of his alma mater, the University of South Carolina Gamecocks.
“I remember the day I became a fan. It feels like it was yesterday,” Rucker said in a 2022 interview with The Sports Credential. “For so many years I’ve just lived and died with [the Dolphins,] and I’ve lived and died with the Gamecocks. Sports, they just mean everything to me.”
The Show Will Go On
The fate of Darius Rucker’s Carolyn’s Boy Tour seemed uncertain when the CMA Award-winning artist lost his voice in the middle of a July 12 set at the Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
“Y’all, I can’t sing anymore,” he told the crowd. “This never happened. I physically can’t sing. I promise you on everything that I stand for, I will make this up to you.”
Unable to reschedule the show, Rucker offered the crowd full refunds. Fortunately, his publicist later confirmed that the “Beers” singer had been cleared to proceed with the tour following vocal rest.
Featured image by C Brandon/Redferns