Darius Rucker Dined In Havre de Grace: Coakley's

HAVRE DE GRACE, MD — Hootie was at Coakley's. Well, the lead singer of the band was.

Sharing a photo of owner Margie Coakley with Darius Rucker, the restaurant on Saint John Street in Havre de Grace released the news of its celebrity guest on its Facebook page.

Coakley reported that Rucker approved of the pub's wings.

Coakley initially wasn't sure it was indeed the singer, so she asked him if anyone had ever told him he looked like Darius Rucker, according to The Aegis, which reported she had seen Hootie & the Blowfish in concert in Virginia in recent years but also Google image-searched him while he was at the restaurant to check. As she walked away, someone at the table, which included his daughter and family members, confirmed it was "the one and only" Darius Rucker.

What was he doing in Havre de Grace?

"They were talking about him visiting Coakley's on 97.9 this evening," one person commented Wednesday on the Coakley's Facebook post. "They said he was in town visiting his kid."

Rucker has three children: Jack, 14; Daniella Rose, 18; and Caroline, 24. He is married to Beth Leonard, whom he met in 2000 when she was working at VH1, according to country music source The Boot. They had his youngest two children together, while the eldest came from a previous relationship.

• Late Celebrity Chef Dined In Havre de Grace, Called It 'Heaven'
• Boardwalk Empire Releases Episode Entitled 'Havre de Grace'
• Havre de Grace Man Appears On MTV's 'Catfish'
• Actor From 'Homicide: Life On The Streets' Appears In HdG Film
• 'House Of Cards' Trailer Features Havre de Grace

Coakley said Rucker was in the region for a special event as well as family.

"Apparently in DC last night for a Rosa Parks memorial & has family in MD," Coakley's posted on Facebook Wednesday. A Rosa Parks exhibit opened Thursday at the Library of Congress in D.C.

Whatever the reason for his visit, Rucker left an impression on Havre de Grace. Several fans of Coakley's commented on the photo they needed to dine there. One even wanted Coakley's apparel.

At the time of Rucker's lunch, the star's visit was kept quiet, according to Coakley.

"We were busy & told none of the other tables," Coakley posted on Facebook. "I asked for pics when he was done eating & he was more than generous. 60% tip!"

Rucker, who was honored in February as the 2019 humanitarian of the year by the Music Business Association for raising millions for charity, is the lead singer of the band Hootie & the Blowfish, which rose to fame in the 1990s. The band recently went on tour after releasing a new album.

He also has a successful solo career as a country artist. This week, racing officials announced that Rucker would be headlining Daytona 500 pre-race show in February 2020.

A three-time Grammy winner, Rucker won two awards with Hootie & the Blowfish in 1995 — best new artist and best pop performance for group with a vocal for "Let Her Cry." He won a Grammy in 2013 for best country solo performance for "Wagon Wheel."