Country music artist Darius Rucker performed with a line-up of heavyweights at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, raising more than $400,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Multi-platinum selling recording artist Darius Rucker took the stage of Nashville’s storied Ryman Auditorium by storm June 5 to raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
The eighth annual Darius & Friends show, held at the Ryman for the first time, served as the kick-off to the CMA Music Festival. The annual fundraiser, which includes the show and a golf tournament, raised more than $400,000 to support the mission of St. Jude, bringing the total for eight years to $1.2 million.
The sold-out concert in front of more than 2,000 guests featured Dan + Shay, Tommy Thayer of KISS, John Oates, Michael Ray, Luke Combs and Paul Sanchez. Special guests Brooks and Dunn left the NHL Stanley Cup playoff game being played across the street to surprise Rucker and perform their hit “Boot Scootin' Boogie” for the enthusiastic crowd. Celebrities and artists playing in the golf tournament the following day included Vince Gill, Dustin Lynch, Drake White and Scott Mcreery.