When Darius Rucker started Hootie and the Blowfish in 1986, he sang in bars with his buddies hoping they’d make enough money to keep playing music another week. Four decades later, he’s still making records, still touring, and even more impressive, he’s giving back to a very deserving demographic: veterans.
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At the 52nd American Music Awards on May 25, 2026, Rucker received the Veterans Voice Award, presented by USAA’s Honor Through Action. The award recognizes artists who use their platforms to make meaningful, lasting change in the lives of those who served. We Are The Mighty caught up with Rucker after the ceremony to talk about the work he’s doing and why it matters.
WATM: You’ve supported the military community for years, long before receiving this award. Was there a particular moment or relationship that first made veterans’ causes feel personal to you?
Rucker: Growing up in Charleston meant I was exposed to the military community pretty early on. My friend’s dad was a captain in the Navy and I spent a lot of time at their house, so I got to see what that service and sacrifice really looked like for their family. And then as soon as we could with Hootie, we started playing USO tours or at different bases around the country. Getting to meet all those brave men and women, hear their stories, that impacts you in a really profound way.
WATM: You’ve played everywhere from packed arenas to overseas USO tours. What crowd or performance do you still think about today?
Rucker: Those overseas USO shows stay with you forever. I remember playing for troops who had been away from home for months, and for a little while everybody’s singing, laughing and forgetting about the stress they’re carrying. There’s something powerful about music in those moments.
WATM: USAA’s Honor Through Action initiative is focused on turning gratitude into tangible support for military families and veterans. Why do you think it’s important for brands and public figures to move beyond simply saying, ‘Thank you for your service’?
Rucker: Saying ‘thank you for your service’ matters – it really does – but it can’t stop there. These families need real support long after the applause fades out. That’s why initiatives like [USAA’s] Honor Through Action are important, because they’re actually putting resources and support behind those words.
WATM: Memorial Day can be both celebratory and deeply emotional for military families. What does the day personally mean to you?
Rucker: For me, Memorial Day is a day of gratitude and reflection. It’s about remembering the people who gave everything for this country and also thinking about the families carrying that loss with them every single day. I think sometimes people see it as the start of summer, but for a whole lot of families, it’s a very emotional day. I try to approach it with a lot of respect for that.
WATM: Country music and the military community have always had a strong connection. Why do you think your music resonates so deeply with veterans and service members?
Rucker: I think country music has always connected with people through honesty. Songs about home, family, missing people you love, small towns, sacrifice, perseverance… those themes mean something in the military community because they live it every day.
WATM: Receiving the Veterans Voice Award presented by USAA’s Honor Through Action at the American Music Awards is such a special honor. What does this recognition mean to you personally, and how do you hope it inspires other artists to get involved with the military community?
Rucker: Honestly, like I said on stage, it’s called the Veterans Voice Award which I take to heart. I think all of us can use our voice in some way to support these brave men and women and make sure they feel appreciated in the everyday moments, too. And if this inspires even one more artist to get involved and spend time with the military community, that’d be a beautiful thing.
WATM: Military communities are built around humor, storytelling and shared experiences, especially in tough moments. What’s something the military community has taught you about resilience, perspective or finding light in hard times?
Rucker: The military community taught me a lot about perspective. I’ve seen people go through incredibly hard things and still find ways to laugh, tell stories and take care of the people around them. There’s a toughness there, but there’s also a lot of heart. I think resilience isn’t pretending things are easy; it’s finding a way to keep going and still finding joy where you can.
WATM: What’s one thing you’d want veterans and service members to hear from you directly?
Rucker: I’d just want to say thank you. Truly. Thank you for your sacrifice, for your service and for everything your families sacrifice alongside you. There are a whole lot of people out there who appreciate what you do, even if we don’t say it enough. And I hope we can all live up to the sentiment I shared on stage: to build communities and a country worthy of the sacrifices these men and women make every day.
WATM: And of course, we have to end on a fun one: Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, Marines… if you had to join the military, which branch are you joining and why?
Rucker: Oh goodness, you can’t make me choose… I don’t want to pick a fight with any of these folks! I think I must, I’d go with the Navy so I could still live in Charleston. That’s my excuse!
Learn more about USAA’s Honor Through Action here.
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