ETSU Football Fans Left Wanting More After Darius Rucker Performance Doesn’t Go as Advertised

While many remember Darius Rucker for his time with Hootie & the Blowfish, the singer also produced a promising solo career. And off the stage, Rucker is also an accomplished songwriter who helped the band write a majority of their songs. But looking at his solo career, the country star produced albums like True Believers and Back to Then. His last album, Carolyn’s Boy, hit shelves back in 2023. Recently, fans of East Tennessee State University shared their excitement about Rucker performing during their football game, but as many discussed on social media, the country singer merely encouraged the crowd instead of singing. 

With fans packing the stands to watch ETSU battle against Western Carolina, fans anxiously awaited Rucker to take the field. First announced by Athletic Director Dr. Richard Sander, the program’s official website promoted the appearance as a performance, stating “Rucker to perform ‘Wagon Wheel’ at the end of the third quarter inside Greene Stadium.”

When the third quarter wrapped up, Rucker emerged on the field with “Wagon Wheel” pumping through the speakers. But instead of singing, he soaked in the atmosphere while leading the crowd. 

Considering the hand he was dealt, Rucker did his thing, energizing the ETSU crowd in an eventual 24-21 victory over Western Carolina. Yet, the fans’ gripe isn’t with Rucker, but rather with what they believe was false advertising on the university’s end.

I love my university. But don’t promote @dariusrucker is going to perform “Wagon Wheel” to sell tickets when you get a guy standing at midfield without a microphone to even lip sync. Embarrassing as hell. At least lip sync it with a microphone hell. pic.twitter.com/4Ou7Bo1pLW

— Wes Holtsclaw (@wesholtsclaw) November 9, 2024

Although the fans appeared to enjoy the moment, some jumped online to share their anger for the university supposedly leading them on. “I love my university. But don’t promote Darius Rucker is going to perform ‘Wagon Wheel’ to sell tickets when you get a guy standing at midfield without a microphone to even lip sync. Embarrassing as hell. At least lip sync it with a microphone hell.”

[RELATED: On This Day in 2022 Darius Rucker Lands a Rare Diamond Certification for “Wagon Wheel”]

ETSU Can’t Get Enough Of Darius Rucker And “Wagon Wheel”

Agreeing with the original post, another fan added, “I’ve got to admit it was a tad bit weird. Pay a guy to just waltz around midfield while his song is playing. At least have home sing the ‘Johnson City, Tennessee!’ part. Wildly underwhelming and not as billed.”

While fans shared their thoughts about the performance, those in attendance made the best of the situation by singing “Wagon Wheel” with Rucker. More than a hit song, “Wagon Wheel” landed Rucker a Grammy Award for Best Solo Country Performance. 

As for ETSU, the school looked to continue to play the song at the end of the third quarter. Playing the hit throughout every home game of the season, “Wagon Wheel” has become somewhat of a tradition a the university.

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)