Photos by Renee Clark Quade, Review by Rebecca Clark

On Saturday, June 6, Darius Rucker brought a career-spanning performance to CMAC in Canandaigua, giving fans a little bit of everything that has made him one of music’s most enduring artists.

Before he ever took the stage, the atmosphere hinted at the kind of night it would be. Sparkling cowboy boots, cowboy-inspired outfits, and plenty of smiling faces filled the venue as country music fans of all ages settled in for an evening of live music. By the end of the night, they had experienced country hits, Hootie & the Blowfish favorites, and a healthy dose of nostalgia, all wrapped into one entertaining show.

Rucker’s performance showcased every chapter of his career, blending chart-topping solo singles with beloved classics and reminding fans why his voice continues to resonate across multiple generations. Backed by a talented band and an audience eager to sing along, the evening felt less like a concert and more like a celebration of a remarkable musical journey.

The night began with rising country artist Austin Williams. Performing with only a drummer and guitarist, the 22-year-old newcomer made the most of the stripped-down setup. Williams introduced fans to original music, including his collaboration with Chase Matthew, “Country Friday Nights,” while also showing off a voice that occasionally brought Dustin Lynch to mind. One of the more memorable moments came when he shared a personal message about faith before performing a song centered around choosing between the Bible and the bottle. He also surprised the crowd with a mashup of ’90s rap songs that added an unexpected twist to his set.

Before performing one of his songs, Austin took a moment to deliver an uplifting message that resonated throughout CMAC. Reflecting on life’s challenges, he reminded the crowd that everyone carries their own struggles and encouraged them not to be defined by those hardships. “Why be the victim of that story when you can be the victor of that story?” he asked, drawing cheers from the audience. At just 22 years old, Williams spoke with a level of confidence and perspective that felt far beyond his years.

He went on to share how both the highs and the lows in life shape who we become, while explaining that his faith has been a guiding force throughout his own journey. Closing with a message to lead with love and compassion, even toward those who may not return it, Williams’ heartfelt speech added an extra layer of meaning to the performance and highlighted the sincerity that has helped him connect with audiences across the country.

George Birge followed with an energetic performance that quickly connected with the crowd. Opening with “Mind On You,” Birge mixed his own growing catalog with familiar favorites, including snippets of Joe Diffie’s “Pickup Man,” Tim McGraw’s “Live Like You Were Dying,” and Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.” He also shared stories behind several songs, thanking fans for changing his life with “It Won’t Be Long” and explaining how a conversation with Luke Bryan eventually led to their collaboration, “Ride Ride Ride.”

Birge’s personality shined throughout the set. At one point he knelt near the front row to sing directly into a fan’s phone camera, creating one of several moments that demonstrated his connection with the audience. He closed his performance with “She Only Dances to Cowboy Songs” before stopping for a quick selfie with fans as he left the stage.

As the sun continued to set over CMAC, anticipation built for the night’s headliner.

Opening with “All I Want,” followed by “This” and “For the First Time,” Rucker immediately reminded the crowd why his voice has remained a fixture on radio and concert stages for decades. Rich, soulful, and full of heart, his vocals sounded just as strong as fans would expect.

Behind the band, large video screens and a digital backdrop featuring a water tower bearing Rucker’s name shifted between daytime and nighttime scenes throughout the evening. The visuals added to the atmosphere without ever distracting from the music.

One of the night’s most meaningful moments came when Rucker introduced “Better Place.” Explaining that the song was inspired by therapy, he encouraged the crowd by reminding them that therapy is a good thing. The message felt sincere and personal before he transitioned into the emotional “It Won’t Be Like This for Long.”

The setlist balanced country hits with fan favorites from throughout Rucker’s career. Songs like “Beers and Sunshine,” “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It,” and “If I Told You” kept the crowd singing along, while “Only Wanna Be With You” provided the first major trip back to his Hootie & the Blowfish days.

For longtime fans, those moments were especially exciting.

Before performing “Let Her Cry,” Rucker shared that it was really one of the first country songs he ever wrote. Looking back now, it’s easy to hear the country influences woven throughout many of those early Hootie songs. Long before country radio fully embraced artists who blended genres, Rucker was already creating music that comfortably lived between rock, country, and soul.

The crowd responded enthusiastically to every Hootie classic that made its way into the set. “Only Wanna Be With You,” “Let Her Cry,” and later “Hold My Hand” sparked some of the loudest singalongs of the night as fans happily revisited songs that have stood the test of time.

One of the evening’s liveliest moments came when Austin Williams and George Birge returned to the stage for a cover of Hank Williams Jr.’s “Family Tradition.” The trio raised shots together during the song, creating one of the night’s most memorable moments.

Not every highlight relied on high energy. “History in the Making” stripped things down considerably, featuring just Rucker and his piano player. The quieter arrangement allowed the song’s lyrics to take center stage and created one of the evening’s most intimate moments.

Rucker’s playful side emerged during a ’90s medley that blended Tim McGraw’s “I Like It, I Love It,” TLC’s “Waterfalls,” and Bell Biv DeVoe’s “Poison.” The unexpected combination showcased the wide range of musical influences that have shaped his career and served as a reminder that great songs transcend genres.

As the main set closed with “Come Back Song,” “Radio,” “Hold My Hand,” and “Alright,” fans continued singing nearly every word. During “Alright,” Rucker made his way closer to the barricade, giving fans along the front and sides of the venue an up-close moment before leaving the stage.

The encore featured “Tracks” and the song everyone knew was coming, “Wagon Wheel.” As the familiar opening notes rang out, thousands of voices joined in, filling CMAC one last time as fans soaked in the final moments of the evening.

As the band gathered for one final bow, it was clear that Darius Rucker’s appeal extends far beyond any single genre or era. Saturday night’s performance celebrated every chapter of his career, from Hootie & the Blowfish classics to country radio favorites, giving fans exactly what they came for and reminding everyone why those songs continue to connect with audiences year after year.

Setlist – Darius Rucker – CMAC, Canandaigua, NY – June 6, 2026

All I Want
This
For the First Time
Better Place
It Won’t Be Like This for Long
Only Wanna Be With You
Beers and Sunshine
Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It
If I Told You
Family Tradition
Southern State of Mind
History in the Making
Homegrown Honey
Let Her Cry
’90s Medley
Come Back Song
Radio
Hold My Hand
Alright
Encore:
Tracks
Wagon Wheel

Photo Gallery – Darius Rucker – CMAC, Canandaigua, NY – June 6, 2026

Photo Gallery – George Birge – CMAC, Canandaigua, NY – June 6, 2026

Photo Gallery – Austin Williams – CMAC, Canandaigua, NY – June 6, 2026