Sometimes my job comes with a few perks…and boy this was a big one!

If you thought people were crazy at a Jimmy Buffet concert, you haven’t seen anything until you attend a Darius Rucker show!

 On August 3, 2023 Darius Rucker made a stop at the Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls, Ontario and brought some friends along as a part of his tour.  The 5,000 seat arena was nearly packed with enthusiastic Rucker fans who nearly blew the roof off the building.

 The night of music began with Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors who brought their mix of modern and traditional Country music to Fallsview.  With songs of love and joy, Holcomb’s band included players who embraced the traditions of Country music with a steel guitar and a standup bass.   And while the lyrics were the typical old Country style, the music itself was.  Fans of Merle Haggard, Tim McGraw, and even Jimmy Buffett…and Darius Rucker himself…would find that Drew Holcomb would fit right in with their musical tastes.

 

Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors was a perfect choice to warm up the evening for what was to come.

Even before Darius Rucker took the stage, fans were on their feet and cheering.  From the first note, they joined in on the singing and never let up until the final note and the house lights came up.

In a show that lasted for over two hours , Rucker kept the music going as he performed his own songs, Hootie and the Blowfish songs, and even a few cover tunes that kept fans guessing…but not for long…as they kept on singing.

 

The lyrics might have referring to a girl when Rucker sang, “I like it, I love it, I want some more of it” but the song clearly expressed the sentiments of the audience.

 And not surprisingly, the night ended with one of his biggest hit songs – the Old Crow Medicine Show penned “Wagon Wheel”, stirring up the frenzy even more and everyone in the house shouted out the words.

I was there to cover the show, but admittedly got caught up in the frenzy of the moment as I thoroughly enjoyed the music, musicianship, and enthusiasm that is a Darius Rucker show.

 As for the Fallsview Casino and the OLG Stage, they were a fantastic crew who were very friendly, helpful, and made everyone feel welcome.