Elk Creek Vineyards, Owenton, Ky., Says 'Happy Birthday, Darius Rucker!' By Donating Concert Ticket Sales Proceeds

OWENTON, Ky. (Top40 Charts/ Elk Creek Vineyards)- Billboard No 1 Country and Capitol Records Nashville artist Darius Rucker celebrates a birthday today. But Darius, also of Hootie and the Blowfish, says he doesn't want presents this year. Instead, he's asking the community to support classroom requests from high-poverty schools in South Carolina. So Elk Creek Vineyards will donate ten percent of ticket sales purchased Friday, May 15, 2009, for the Darius Rucker concert to the artist's "Give-Back Birthday" program.

Darius will perform at Elk Creek's outdoor amphitheater on Friday, July 17, 2009. Tickets are on sale now-visit "Darius Rucker Tickets" at www.elkcreekvineyards.com or https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1600428E6B91334E?artistid=829195&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=1 General admission is $25 Preferred/Gold/VIP seating and dinner tickets are also available. The show starts at 7:00 PM; gates open TBA.

Concert-goers will enjoy Darius' unique style while sipping award-winning Elk Creek Vineyards' wine. Darius, a 2009 Country Music Television (CMT) award nominee, was described by Variety as "a new major star ... the [country] genre may never be the same." The New York Times reported that Darius' debut album was "one of 2008's most vibrant country albums."

The Darius Rucker concert is part of Elk Creek Vineyards' 2009 Summer Concert Series presented by Kroger. Other guest artists include Buddy Guy (June 13) and The Temptations (August 22). "Give-Back Birthday" donations apply only to tickets purchased on Friday, May 15, 2009, for the Darius Rucker concert.

Elk Creek Vineyards, nestled among the rolling hills of Kentucky in Owenton, was established in 2003. Located approximately one hour from Lexington, Louisville and Cincinnati and two hours from Indianapolis, Elk Creek offers a wide choice of reds and whites that are produced and bottled on-site. The destination also features an art gallery, deli and B&B lodging. (Check www.elkcreekvineyards.com for special deli hours on concert days.)