Darius Rucker and Mark Bryan, former members of the hit band Hootie & the Blowfish, will play a “brief performance” at the School of Journalism and Mass Communications’ New Building Dedication ceremony on Wednesday at 6 p.m., according to College of Information and Communications Dean Charles Bierbauer. It will take place at the foot of the Horseshoe, near Sumter St.
“We kept it under wraps as long as we could, to avoid 20,000 people converging. We really don’t want that,” Bierbauer said.
College of Information and Communications students who wish to attend the event must first receive a wristband Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. at the Russell House information desk on the second floor. While there will be a dedicated area for students, alumni and faculty of the Journalism school, the event will also be open to the public.
“I’m kind of looking at this as Darius’ and Mark’s gift to the school and to our students and faculty,” Bierbauer said.
Rucker and Bryan were founding members of Hootie & the Blowfish, which has its roots at USC. Bryan is an alumnus of the journalism school and has known Bierbauer for some time.
“Mark and I started talking about this years ago,” Bierbauer said. “Along the lines of, ‘when we get a new building, wouldn’t it be nice if you could perform?’ Mark was on board from the start.”
Bierbauer brought up the idea with Rucker two years ago, when Rucker was on campus to accept an honorary doctorate from the University of South Carolina. He promptly agreed.
Bierbauer avoided the use of the word ‘concert,’ estimating that the duo will perform for around 30 minutes.
“The guys will play as long as they’re having fun,” he said.
The dedication ceremony begins at 5 p.m. and will include speeches from President Harris Pastides, Bierbauer, Interim Director Andrea Tanner and third-year Broadcast Journalism student Nancy Caroline Cann. After the performance, the school will hold an invite-only reception for donors.