“It was tough growing up without a dad.
I hated it,” he said.
Luckily, his career never came in the way of his parental duties.
Go be an engineer.
Go be a doctor.
Go get a real job."
In 2013, Carolyn attended Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida.
Darius took toInstagramon May 18, 2018, to congratulate his eldest on the spectacular feat.
So proud of her!
Love my babies."
However, one cut from the album saw him draw inspiration from his ever-growing daughters Carolyn and Daniella Rucker.
“This is about my two daughters,” he said.
“I’ve got a 13-year-old and 7-year-old.”
“It’s absolutely bittersweet,” he stated.
“When we were writing it, we were talking about how fast our families were growing up.
That first week after the baby is born is awful: you’re up all the time.
Then, when it’s not like that, you miss those times.”
That was until 2020 when COVID-19 caused several families to stay in solitary confinement.
This closeness was apparent through his social media accounts during the time.
In April that year, Daniella convinced Darius to do a TikTok dance challenge with her.
The “Wagon Wheel” singer uploadedthe videoon Instagram with the caption, “Quarantine has to end.
At least I got the last part.”
Just a month later, Darius took toXto share a special song he and Daniella worked on during quarantine.
With my daughter Dani back home from college, she joined on lead vocals," he wrote.
“Thanks Lee Turner and Jeff Marino, my co-producers and the Carolina Grey Boys.”
But he isn’t just a fan.
The doting father took to Instagram toannouncethe monumental moment as he sent her off in 2020.
“Dropping this wonderful human being off at New York University,” he wrote.
“Dani, I love you so much.
And you make me proud beyond words!
Go be great!”
Daniella graduated from NYU in May of that year with a Bachelor of Arts.
Coincidentally, Jack Rucker would graduate from Porter-Gaud High School within that same month.
In anX postcelebrating this occasion, Darius announced that Jack would attend NYU just like his older sister.
“Jack, you are such an amazing kid.
I am so proud of you,” he said.
“Next stop, New York University.
Love you so much, man.”
“Jack’s actually a musician now,” he said.
While Jack is gifted with vocals, his approach to making music is quite different.
Their views on their father caused them to not engage with his music all too often.
“I can’t say that my kids sit around and listen to the Hootie records.
Absolutely not,” he stated.
“I know none of them have listened to any of the country records.”
Throughout this transition, Leonard turned her focus to her career.
In 2023, Beth released her children’s book “I Love You Just As You Are.”
I love you guys so much."
“I am so proud of my dad.
Being able to experience this was amazing,” shewrote.
“He deserves this so much, so proud.
Love you, Dad.”
