David Nail is gearing up to hit the road on Darius Rucker’s True Believers Tour at the end of the month, and there’s a pretty interesting connection David has to the headliner. In school, David performed Hootie and the Blowfish’s “Let Her Cry.” So, being a big fan of the band, he’s a bit overwhelmed to now be touring with Darius.

“It’s just surreal, you know. If you’d have told me then, arguably the biggest band in the world at the time, if you’d have told me that 16, 17 years later, I’d be out on the road together, that he’d ask me to come out on the road with him, I’d have said, ‘Man you’re crazy,’ just for the simple fact that he’s had a career that’s lasted this long,” says David. “And that’s a testament that somebody who’s really wanted it and worked really hard and found ways to reinvent himself, and it’s really inspiring, to be quite honest.”

The Missouri native says he knows he’ll have fun with Darius and Eli Young Band on the road, but he is a bit worried. “I’ve heard stories about Darius. I know Eli Young Band – I’ve hung out with them, so I know it’s definitely going to be a fun time, and hopefully, I won’t pick up on any more bad habits then I already have.”

The True Believers Tour kicks off in Champaign, Illinois January 29th.

David Nail (on the road with Darius & EYB) OC: …already have. :49
“It’s just surreal, you know. If you’d have told me then, arguably the biggest band in the world at the time, if you’d have told me that 16, 17 years later, I’d be out on the road together, that he’d ask me to come out on the road with him, I’d have said, ‘Man you’re crazy,’ just for the simple fact that he’s had a career that’s lasted this long. And that’s a testament that somebody who’s really wanted it and worked really hard and found ways to reinvent himself, and it’s really inspiring, to be quite honest. And then Eli Young Band, I’ve gotten to know those guys real well, and just big fans of their music. I’ve heard stories about Darius. I know Eli Young Band – I’ve hung out with them, so I know it’s definitely going to be a fun time, and hopefully, I won’t pick up on any more bad habits then I already have.”