Riverfront Revival - (Saturday) with Darius Rucker, Old Dominion, Nelly, Chase Matthew, and more!

Originally born in Austin, Texas, Nelly moved to Missouri as a result of his parents’ separation at the age of 7. It was there that he found initial musical success, with the formation of the hip-hop group “St. Lunatics” with his high school friends in 1993.

After achieving moderate local interest with their song “Gimme What U Got” it became apparent to Nelly and the rest of the group, that he was the star of the group, and they encouraged him to push forward with his solo career.

He was finally signed by Universal, despite concerns about his geographical background not being commercially viable, as the majority of well-liked rappers hailed from New York or California at the time.

However Nelly’s debut release Country Grammar in 2000, was fairly successful, with the title track’s popularity helping pull the album to the top of various charts in the US. The album established Nelly’s personal pop-rap style, matched with his southern drawl that made him distinctive in the genre at the time.

Two years later, Nelly released his second full-length album, “Nellyville”, which took the rapper to superstardom. Tracks such as the catchy “Hot In Here” and R&B collaboration jam “Dilemna” with Destiny Child’s Kelly Rowland, established Nelly at the top of the charts around the globe, with the album certified as six times platinum and ranked as the fourth best selling rap album of all time.

Suddenly, Nelly and his trademark plaster were everywhere. His third LP, a “dual” album called Sweat, Suit, was a half Rap, half R&B album, Both albums were released simultaneously in 2004, with the latter featuring the hit single “Over and Over” a surprise joint track with country singer Tim McGraw. The album was yet another commercial triumph for the rapper, cementing his place as one of the true icons of the 2000’s.

Alongside his musical career, Nelly became known for his business acumen, during a time when rappers could seemingly release anything! Nelly’s ventures included, collaboration with Nike for a limited edition sneaker, his own brand of energy drink “Pimp Juice” and a women’s clothing range called “Apple Bottoms.” He also made a name for himself in the acting industry, starring in comedy sports movie “The Longest Yard” with comedians Adam Sandler and Chris Rock.

Rucker founded Hootie & The Blowfish in 1986 with bandmates Mark Bryan, Jim “Soni” Sonefeld and Dean Felber. The outfit apparently came about when Bryan heard Rucker singing in the shower of the college dorms and was awestruck by his vocal prowess.

Ruckers mainstream success with Hootie & The Blowfish was the 1994 release “Cracked Rear View”, which was a staggering success. It was the best selling album of 1995 and went platinum 16 times over in the United States. The album contained the outfit’s best known tune “Only Wanna Be with You”, which peaked at Number 6 and the other hits “Hold My Hand”, “Let Her Cry” and “Time”.

After a small hiatus and an R’n’B styled debut solo album, “Back to Then” (2002), which amounted to modest success, Rucker’s solo career kicked off properly with his country release “Learn to Live” in 2008. The album achieved gold status with the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and later received a platinum certification in 2009. The album’s single “History in the Making” peaked at Number 3 on the Billboard Country Chart. Three singles topped it at Number 1: "Don't Think I Don't Think About It", "It Won't Be Like This for Long" and "Alright", making Ruckers the first black man to chart a number one on the Hot Country Songs charts since 1983. He was also first black man to win the Country Music Association’s New Artist Award.

The album was released on Capitol Records, which would become Rucker’s rock in his solo career, going on to record “Charleston, SC 1966” in 2010, which included the Number 1 singles “Come Back Song” and “This”, and 2012’s “True Believers”, which got him yet another Number 1 with his cover of Old Crow Medicine Show’s “Wagon Wheel” featuring vocals from Lady Antebellum.

Ruckers announced a Christmas album in 2014 that would feature a collaboration with Sheryl Cole on the track “Baby It’s Cold Outside”.

From a very young age, Troy Andrews has experienced very good fate when it comes to his musicianship. He was a member of the Stooges Brass Band during his teenage years before being chosen as a member of Lenny Kravitz's horn section. This opportunity took the musician around the world, sharing bills with incredible artists such as Aerosmith. Whilst in the summer of 2006, Andrews went to London and began working with producer Bob Ezrin and U2 at Abbey Road Studios. Due to these connections, Andrews was invited to perform with U2 and Green Day during the re-opening of the New Orleans Superdome.

In 2007 he appeared on the album 'Goin' Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino' and that year Offbeat named Andrews their Performer of the Year. After accumulating a number of successes whilst releasing his own solo material, Troy then released 'Backatown' in 2010 and it debuted atop the US Contemporary Jazz Chart and held the position for nine consecutive weeks. He toured extensively worldwide with Orleans Avenue after the release and appeared on prolific US shows including Conan, Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

The next album 'For True' featured appearances from tour mates and associated musicians from over the years including Rebirth Brass Band, Jeff Beck, Warren Haynes and a return from Lenny Kravitz. His latest album 'Say That to Say This' was released in 2013 on the Verve Forecast Records label.