Darius Rucker Comes Back Country: Switching Teams

 

In 2008, Darius Rucker signed with Capitol Records as a country artist. One of the most experienced “warm up artists” performing on a moonlit Friday evening at USANA Amphitheater in Salt Lake City, Rucker put a bit of twang in his guitar with the move from Hootie and Blowfish to the Nashville-loving set.

Rucker's lineup was an acknowledgement of his early musical roots with “Only Wanna Be With You,” and “Let Her Cry,” both from his Hootie and the Blowfish days. The splash of country styling added to these numbers worked well and pleased the crowd. The mainstay of the concert was new country songs such as “Come Back Song” and “Don't Think I Don't Think About It.” Those could be back-to-back situations, but in the latter, the woman he still thinks of is married so coming back may be a challenge.

The set ended with “Purple Rain,” which showcased a video backdrop of the biggest purple rainstorm I've ever seen. What an ending, and for Rucker, more evidence of a new beginning. One of my friends at the concert commented, “Well, his name sure sounds all country.” {Sure enough.}

Disclosure: I was a volunteer at this concert. I received NO compensation for this review.