Through both his solo work and as part of Hootie & The Blowfish, Darius Rucker has been a mainstay in popular music for over three decades.
According to a recent interview on The Dan Patrick Show, the 60-year-old singer-songwriter said he’s looking at possible plans for retirement from the road.
When Patrick asked when Rucker might be retiring, Rucker answered directly, “Two years. I might. I’ve really been looking at it,” Rucker said. “I played 110 shows last year…What am I doing? I still like making records and playing and everything, but I’m really starting to like being at home a lot. So I’m looking at maybe doing a tour. One more big Hootie thing.”
The South Carolina native also seems to have detailed plans for what a potential final show would look like — namely, holding a finale concert in his home state, where Hootie & The Blowfish was formed.
“If we call it, I’ve got to do one more Hootie thing. We have to finish at [Columbia, South Carolina’s] Williams-Brice Stadium. Our last show, when we say we’re done, it’s gotta be at Williams-Brice Stadium,” he said.
Hootie & The Blowfish formed at the University of South Carolina in 1986, when they played in bars and clubs across the Carolinas and the Southeast. The group’s 1994 debut album, Cracked Rear View, reached No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard 200, and spurred the hit singles “Hold My Hand,” “Let Her Cry” and “Only Wanna Be With You,” all Billboard Hot 100 top 10s. The album went on to be certified 2x Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America. The band has earned two Billboard 200 chart-topping albums with Cracked Rear View and Fairweather Johnson. In 2008, Rucker released his debut country album, Learn to Live, which reached No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart. Rucker has earned nine No. 1 Country Airplay chart hits and released six country albums, most recently 2023’s Carolyn’s Boy.
During his interview with Patrick, Rucker shared his pick for one song he loves that he’s never covered in concert. “The first song that comes to mind is ‘Detroit Rock City’ by KISS. I’ve always wanted to sing that song. But it’s so high, we’d have to change the key,” he said.
Billboard has reached out to Rucker’s team for additional comment.
