Columbia is home to the University of South Carolina and its 27,500 students. Our favorite USC alumnus is without question Anna's older sister Martha. In 2009, Martha graduated with honors from South Carolina with a concentration in public relations and business administration. She and her husband Robert are card-carrying photo contributors of the Dr Pepperazzi in the Atlanta area.
Our second favorite former USC student is singer Darius Rucker, who was the lead singer for Hootie and the Blowfish. The band was formed from humble beginnings as a quartet at the school with Rucker's voice discovered while he was singing in the shower. Rucker, who was the lead singer for the band, has since embarked on a successful country music career with two Grammy Awards and a Grand Ole Opry membership to his credit.
Rucker last year was the commencement speaker at the University of South Carolina He is an ardent supporter of the USC Gamecocks and diehard sports fan who frequently performs the national anthem at major events of all sports.
Below is a clip from Rucker's afternoon rehearsal at the Academy of Country Music Awards, sponsored in part by Dr Pepper, on Sunday night in Las Vegas. Note the cap Rucker is wearing...he dons the South Carolina cap proudly at many of his performances. The night following the ACM awards, Rucker sang the National Anthem at the NCAA Basketball Championship game in North Texas.
http://youtu.be/ob9cGzNuSpc
The ACM show clip from Sunday's performance is not yet available, but until then enjoy this clip from the Grand Ole Opry and raise your arms in a salute to Tennessee as Rucker does each time he performs "Wagon Wheel."
http://youtu.be/k6upvQVznAU
And then there is this clip from the 2011 ACM Awards that will touch your heart.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvhuwvZKN84
Dr Pepperazzi Photo Credit: D. Trundle