Hootie & the Blowfish in fine form

The Hootie & the Blowfish Homegrown Concert has become an annual tradition on Daniel Island.

Outside the Family Circle Magazine Stadium on Friday evening, fans of the rock band lined up to enter the venue, most of them carrying school supplies to donate to Charleston County schools.

For Loy Stewart and Scott Moore, both of Charleston, arriving early and getting a choice spot to tailgate has become something of a tradition, as well.

According to Stewart, the spaces were saved early Friday morning; this is the fourth year in a row that the pair has snagged the prime parking space. 'It's good down-home music,' Moore said.

Stewart added that he was glad to hear Hootie lead singer Darius Rucker had recovered from a staph infection that had sidelined the singer earlier this year, causing the band to postpone or cancel several summer shows.

Rucker seemed to be in fine form Friday night as Hootie & the Blowfish treated the local crowd to hits that spanned the band's career. Opening with 'State Your Peace,' Rucker, guitarist Mark Bryan, drummer Jim 'Soni' Sonefeld and bassist Dean Felber played in a manner that you would expect from a band that has been performing together for more than two decades.

Longtime percussionist Gary Greene was back, but regular keyboardist Peter Holsapple had just become the father of a baby girl, so Jamie Hoover was sitting in. Songs performed during Hootie's set included 'Sister Pretty,' 'Tucker's Town,' 'One Love' and 'Hannah Jane.'

Rucker dedicated 'Not Even the Trees' to his late mother, telling the crowd that his one big regret was that she passed away before the band became successful.

After more crowd favorites, including 'Hold My Hand,' and two encores, the band finally called it a night, leaving the crowd obviously satisfied.

Before Hootie took the stage, the audience was treated to a performance by national recording artist Shawn Mullins, who played a short, intimate set backed by a bassist and a drummer. Mullins' song choices included 'Beautiful Wreck,' from his latest album, '9th Ward Pickin' Parlor,' as well as an incendiary cover of 'House of the Rising Sun.' Mullins ended with his biggest hit to date, 'Lullaby,' which received a strong reaction from the crowd.

Reach Devin Grant at chucktowncritic@yahoo.com.