Darius Rucker announces 15th 'Darius & Friends' benefit event for St. Jude’s at Ryman

Marcus K. Dowling, Nashville Tennessean
·2 min read

For the 15th year, Grand Ole Opry member and multi-genre superstar Darius Rucker will gather himself and a celebrity guest list of entertainers and performers at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium for a legendary good cause.

On June 3, 2024, Rucker's "Darius & Friends" concert benefitting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital -- which has raised more than $3.6 million to date -- will feature a surprise all-star roster of the "Fires Don't Start Themselves" performer's fellow entertainers.

Darius Rucker performs during the 14th annual Darius Rucker and Friends concert at the Ryman Auditorium Monday, June 5, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. The event unofficially kicks off the week of CMA Fest in Nashville and has raised more than three million for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Darius Rucker performs during the 14th annual Darius Rucker and Friends concert at the Ryman Auditorium Monday, June 5, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. The event unofficially kicks off the week of CMA Fest in Nashville and has raised more than three million for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Tickets to the 15th annual "Darius & Friends" benefit concert are available for pre-sale access on April 30 at 10 a.m. CT. Tickets will be sold to the general public on May 3 at 10 a.m. CT.

Tickets will start at $69 with VIP package options up to $249, available via AXS.com. The event is made possible with support from generous sponsors AMD, CDW and The Law Office of Jennifer McCoy.

Want a list of participants? That's not available yet. However, in past years, performers 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.

Could one of Rucker's guests be Sugarland vocalist and "Farmer Wants A Wife" host Jennifer Nettles? Rucker recently paired with her to reimagine his 2023 "Carolyn's Boy album standout "Never Been Over."

Darius Rucker stands before being interviewed at Nissian Stadium in Nashville , Tenn., Thursday, June 8, 2023.
Darius Rucker stands before being interviewed at Nissian Stadium in Nashville , Tenn., Thursday, June 8, 2023.

Rucker, honored as the 2023 CMA Humanitarian of the Year for always prioritizing philanthropic work throughout his career, committed to supporting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital nearly two decades ago after an inspiring tour of the hospital. Through this meaningful experience, Rucker learned how St. Jude is leading the way for the world to understand, treat, and defeat childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Rucker told The Tennessean about the trip, "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.'"

For more information about the performer, visit DariusRucker.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Darius Rucker: Nashville Ryman to host singer’s 15th St. Jude benefit

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