Country music star
Darius Rucker
was forced to cut short his performance in
Atlantic City, New Jersey
, on Saturday night after unexpectedly losing his voice mid-show.
The 59-year-old singer, known both for his solo career and as frontman of
Hootie & the Blowfish
, stopped after a few songs at the
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
and addressed the crowd.
“Y’all, I can’t sing anymore,” Rucker told fans in a video shared by
Philly Burbs
. “I’m going to play one more song. I promise you, we’re going to figure this out. You’re going to get your money back.”
Visibly emotional, Rucker added, “I just can’t sing. I’ve never done this before. I physically can’t sing, and I promise you on everything I stand for, I will make this up to you.”
He then performed one final number — his 2013 hit
“Wagon Wheel”
— with fans singing along before exiting the stage.
“I Feel Awful”
On Sunday, Rucker posted a heartfelt message on Instagram, apologizing again and confirming that
full refunds
would be issued.
“Thank you so much for coming out Saturday night. I feel awful and I’m so sorry — I’ve never lost my voice in all my years of performing,” he wrote.
“We looked at every option to reschedule, but unfortunately, it’s just not possible this year.”
He thanked fans for their kind messages and added, “Love y’all and see you soon!”
Ongoing Tour Unaffected
Saturday’s canceled concert was only the
third stop
on Rucker’s
45-date international tour
, which launched on
July 10
in Solomons, Maryland.
As of Wednesday, no changes have been announced for upcoming shows. Rucker is next scheduled to perform on
July 19
at the
Seminole Hard Rock Casino & Resort
in
Hollywood, Florida
. The U.S. leg of the tour runs through September before heading to the
U.K., Canada
, and wrapping up on
December 13
in
Naples, Florida
.
A Busy Year for Rucker
The incident comes during a high-profile
year
for the Grammy-winning artist. In
October 2023
, Rucker released his
seventh solo studio album
,
“Carolyn’s Boy.”
He also confirmed in
June
that he’s working on a new album, inspired in part by his recent move to
London
.
“I went to London to get just a different flavor,” Rucker told
People
. “I think my fans are going to be really, really excited.”
Following his 2023
Hollywood Walk of Fame
induction, Rucker told
Fox News Digital
that he still feels driven to achieve more.
“I always feel like I haven’t done enough,” he said. “What really told me I’d made it was being invited to the Grand Ole Opry. That was when I felt, ‘This is really working.’”
Despite the setback in Atlantic City, Rucker remains committed to making it up to fans — and continuing a tour that celebrates decades of musical success.
