Rucker was the former lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the Grammy Award-winning rock band Hootie & The Blowfish, which recorded several pop-rock hits in the ‘90s.

It wasn’t until 2008 that he released his first solo album as a country artist, “Learn to Live,” which went No. 1 on the United States country charts and was certified platinum.

The first single off the album, “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It,” shot up to No. 1 on the hot country songs charts, making it the beginning of a successful country career for the former rocker.

22-year-old country singer Joel Crouse opened up for Rucker and provided a good opening act, playing several songs, including his biggest single, “If You Want Some.” Only some of the audience knew his music, but all of the audience seemed engaged and in tune with his set, especially when he performed a great rendition of The Eagles’ “Take It Easy,” with the crowd singing along line for line.

The crowd also went nuts when Crouse covered Adele’s hit “Someone Like You,” putting a country spin on the pop song.

Rucker opened up his set, which lasted about one hour 45 minutes, with the hit single “Radio,” and the crowd was immediately energized and up out of their seats. The tune has reached No. 4 on the United States country airplay charts, and the crowd sang along with every lyric.

Also on the set was his tune “Heartbreak Road,” a high-tempo but lesser-known song that the crowd still enjoyed as if it were a No. 1 hit.

He performed hit after hit, including all of his No. 1 tunes, such as “It Won’t Be Like This For Long,” “Alright,” “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It,” “Come Back Song,” “This” and others.

Rucker also took a risk by diving deeper into his catalogue of tunes for “True Believers,” the namesake of the tour that stopped in A.C. Friday.

He continued to dig deep in his arsenal of tunes when he sang “Southern State of Mind,” and “History in the Making.”

Throughout the show, Rucker took time from his country hits to pay homage to where his career began. And the crowd went wild when he played his first Hootie song of the night, “Time.”

Also on the Hootie portion of the set were “Let Her Cry,” “Hold My Hand” and “Only Wanna Be With You,” for a total of four of his biggest hits as the lead singer of the band.

There were quite a few surprises during the show, too.

One of the moments of the night, of which there were many, came when Rucker covered John Mellencamp’s hit “Pink Houses.” The crowd danced and rocked out with Rucker and his band throughout the song.

He also broke out covers of “East Bound and Down,” originally performed by Jerry Reed, and “Family Tradition,” originally made famous by Hank Williams Jr.

Two other memorable moments came during the encore.

Rucker busted out the catchy tune “Wagon Wheel,” which has been one of his most popular songs as a country artist. And he ended the night with an incredible rendition of Prince’s “Purple Rain.”

But the covers weren’t the only surprise of the night.

One man took a knee and proposed to his girlfriend during “True Believers.” She said yes.