Darius Rucker was very surprised when he was presented with the 2023 CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award during his appearance on the The Kelly Clarkson Show. He was there to talk about his new album Carolyn's Boy, and was sharing some of the lessons his mom taught him on the importance of helping others. Kelly let him know that they had a very special surprise for him and presented him with the Humanitarian Award. It is presented to an individual who has served as a humanitarian through community leadership, financial support, personal volunteerism and advocacy. Since 2010, Darius has supported St. Jude Children's Research Hospital with his "Darius and Friends" charity auction, golf tournament and concert, which has raised more than $3.6 million. He also serves as a co-chair on the capital campaign that generated $150 million to help build the new MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital in his hometown of Charleston, South Carolina. Darius is also the National Chair for the National Museum of African American Music and an advocate for over 200 charitable causes supporting public education and junior golf programs in South Carolina through the Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation.