On June 3rd 2024, Multi-time Diamond-certified superstar Darius Rucker returns to the historic Ryman Auditorium on Monday, June 3 for his 15th annual “Darius & Friends” concert benefitting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®

One of the best and most memorable events leading up to CMA Festival in Nashville is without a doubt Darius Rucker and Friends. Not only is it an incredibly special and unique show but it is all in the name of charity where funds for to St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital .

No show is the same, so whether you have been before or not, you won’t get the same experience twice as the special guests are never the same!

This will mark the 15th annual Darius and Friends and so far, the events have raised over $3.6 million.

Rucker, who was honored as the 2023 CMA Humanitarian of the Year for always prioritizing philanthropic work throughout his career, made a commitment to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital nearly two decades ago after taking an inspiring tour of the hospital. Through this meaningful experience, Rucker learned how St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

Reflecting on his 2008 visit to the hospital to the Tennessean, Rucker noted, “You see these kids who are sick, and they’re so happy to be there, because their caregivers are so loving and giving to them. And then you find out that nobody ever gets a bill. That blew me away. I was just like, ‘We’ll figure out some way to help you guys as much as I can.’”

Now, a decade and a half later, that effort has become an annual tradition. Friends performing with Rucker in past years have included Lauren Alaina, Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, Jelly Roll, Charles Kelley of Lady A, Ashley McBryde, A.J. McLean of the Backstreet Boys, Megan Moroney, Brad Paisley, Kenny Rogers and Tommy Thayer of KISS, among many others.

Tickets to the 15th annual “Darius & Friends” benefit concert start at $69 with VIP package options up to $249, available via AXS.com. Pre-sale access begins tomorrow, April 30 at 10 a.m. CT, with tickets on sale to the general public this Friday, May 3 at 10 a.m. CT. The event is made possible with support from generous sponsors AMD, CDW and The Law Office of Jennifer McCoy.

We personally attended the 2014 Darius and Friends which saw Darius perform The Gambler with Kenny Rogers which is of course something we won’t experience again. Rucker joins his guests on stage as well as the guests performing their own songs! We can’t stress enough how much of an amazing event this is and a real highlight of the CMA Fest week and in fact, the year and of course, it is all for a good cause!

This is a rare opportunity to not just be up,close and personal to Rucker and friends but it’s just so much fun in general! Who knows, maybe Jennifer Nettles will be on the line up to perform Never Been Over with Darius as is his current single which features Nettles. Also, with Darius Rucker’s new memoir Life’s Too Short out just days before, perhaps some will be auctioned off, who knows?

The announcement of this year’s “Darius & Friends” event adds to an exciting season for the three-time GRAMMY winner, who on Friday released a reimagined duet version of his Carolyn’s Boy album standout “Never Been Over” featuring Jennifer Nettles and on May 28 will release his first book, a memoir titled “Life’s Too Short” that explores the story of his life through the lens of the music that defined it. Rucker also returns to the road with his Hootie & the Blowfish bandmates in May for the Summer Camp with Trucks Tour. Tickets are on sale now HERE.

For more information, visit DariusRucker.com and follow on social media @DariusRucker.