'Darius and Friends' benefit showcases generations of country stardom at Ryman

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Darius Rucker on Monday assembled an all-star and hall-of-fame group of artists to join him at Ryman Auditorium for the 14th edition of his St. Jude Children's Research Hospital-benefitting "Darius and Friends" charity auction and concert. Alongside Jelly Roll, appearing on the Mother Church's stage for the fourth time in seven days, award-winning singer-songwriter HARDY, multiple-time chart-topper Jake Owen, top-five country radio emerging star Megan Moroney and Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill were also present.

The event has raised over $3 million and benefits the research hospital, whose efforts combat childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. For almost 15 years, the cause has been close to his heart.

Jelly Roll 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.
Jelly Roll 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.

"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,'" Rucker told The Tennessean in 2021.

For Jelly Roll, the event continued what has -- in a short time -- proven the value of renovating the Ryman two decades ago.

His appearances -- a concert spotlighting his debut country album, "Whitsitt Chapel," Hulu documentary premiere and spotlights on singles "Son of A Sinner" and "I Need a Favor" involving Tanya Tucker and now, Rucker, feel like he's merely a rising country star being invited back, multiple times, to play the WSM Radio Grand Ole Opry show 70 years ago.

Hardy 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.
Hardy 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.

The idea that Jelly Roll couldn't also knock back a few drinks at Tootsie's and play the midnight jamboree at Ernest Tubb's Record Shop on Tuesday night is the only thing missing from the retro-tinged star-elevating moment the Nashville native is having.

As for HARDY, he closed the evening with a duo of songs -- 2020's "A Rock" and "Unapologetically Country as Hell." As his 2023-released "The Mockingbird and The Crow" proves its dexterity as a metaphorical vehicle delivering country, pop and rock radio acclaim, plus sold-out tour dates nationwide, his brief visit to Darius and Friends highlighted something noteworthy about post-COVID country music.

Jake Owen 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.
Jake Owen 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.

Songs that achieved moments via streaming are now doubling down on them bizarrely, with fans finally able to see artists in three dimensions onstage. HARDY received a hero's welcome and sang what are strangely "classic" songs in an era where hyper-engagement drives the aging cycle for extraordinary popular music faster than ever.

Regarding Owen, his brand of rocking country delivered from a guy Rucker jokingly called "so pretty" felt like a breath of fresh air for fans of "authentically traditional country music." When a redneck rocker wearing horn-rimmed Buddy Holly glasses and a plus-sized, face-tattooed ex-convict are two of the genre's tent-post current stars, a tall, toothy-grinning Floridian singing about blue jeans, honky tonks and covering Hank Williams Jr.'s "Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound" is a timelessly familiar and appreciated sight.

Megan Moroney 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.
Megan Moroney 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.

Megan Moroney's moment expanding past Southeast Conference football and twenty-something heartbreak is vital to her career as a country artist achieving longevity. To wit, her delivery of songs like "I'm Not Pretty" and "Girl In The Mirror" has become stronger since the release of her debut EP, "Lucky."

Yes, she also sang "Tennessee Orange," which appears to be set to hit No. 1 on country radio at some point before the Volunteers take the field at Knoxville's Neyland Stadium for the 2023 college football season. Hearing people twice the age of the song's intended demographic singing along proves its strength in lyric and composition more than one-hit wonder subject matter.

Vince Gill, timeless as ever, took the stage and in the calmest manner ever, casually played "Whenever You Come Around," "When I Call Your Name" and "Go Rest High on That Mountain" with the aplomb of a 70-year-old dad pulling out his acoustic guitar after dinner at a summer barbecue.

Vince Gill 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.
Vince Gill 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.

He still has few peers as a player and vocalist. Fun, as always, with Gill is how his reserved demeanor lets the poignancy of his lyricism breathe and settle with an audience. The Ryman, as evidenced by his residency shows in the venue, is the perfect size to showcase his artistry most magnificently.

Of course, "Darius and Friends" also serves as a 20-song Darius Rucker headlining concert set.

Rucker has been a pop superstar for 30 years, whose Southernness and soulfulness occupy a uniquely American creative identity. His material -- whether as a country artist or with Hootie and The Blowfish -- caresses, not straddles, the intersections of pop's unique variants. Thus, he stands out with his voice and his players, all as masterful veteran instrumentalists. One note or instrument selected changes a song's placement along a spectrum. When they're played together -- say on Rucker's cover of Old Crow Medicine Show's "Wagon Wheel," the crowd euphorically explodes in song.

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.

On ballads, be they Hootie and The Blowfish's "Let Her Cry," 2017-released solo cut "Hands On Me," or covers of Amy Winehouse's "Valerie," Blackstreet's "No Diggity" or Prince's "Purple Rain," the connective breadth that unifies all music -- but specific to this era, hip-hop and R&B to country's mainstream -- is readily apparent.

For information on how to donate to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, visit www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude-today.html.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: 'Darius and Friends' benefit showcases generations of country stardom at Ryman