Prime-Time Events: A Hootin' Good Time

There's something sexy about Darius Rucker. Maybe it's the well-worn cowboy hat. Or maybe it's the tight black shirt with the top few buttons undone, exposing just a hint of curly black chest hair. Or maybe it's just the fact that he's a damn good singer.

Whatever it was, there were plenty of music lovers singing and gyrating along to the lyrics at Monday night's Hootie & The Blowfish concert, part of ACE's Customer Gala held in the convention center's pavilion.

Risk management and insurance folks, young and old, male and female, took an hour or so to let down their hair. What a great way to unwind after a long day at the RIMS conference. Plenty of hardcore Hootie fans rushed to the front of the stage to stake their spots as soon as ACE opened the doors to the show.

But the crowd was mostly comprised of those who were just looking to throw back a few drinks and enjoy some easy listening. After all, they may not be your favorite band (for instance: a convention center staffer who was directing concert goers admitted that Earth Wind & Fire's show last week was much more his cup of tea), but it would be difficult to argue that listening to Hootie's hits of the 90s doesn't make for an enjoyable evening.

The band is known best for its debut album "Cracked Rear View" from 1994, which sold 16 million copies. The quartet, which formed when the members were freshmen attending the University of South Carolina, obliged the audience Monday night by singing hits "Hold My Hand," "Let Her Cry," and the slogan printed on ACE's posters, "Only Wanna Be With You."

But the audience seemed just as excited about the songs played from the band's 2005 album "Looking for Lucky," as they sang and danced along to "Hey Sister Pretty," "Get Out of My Mind" and "One Love." Also crowd pleasers were covers of R.E.M's "Losing My Religion," and Led Zeppelin's "Hey Hey What Can I Do."

This may have been the most well-attended event of the RIMS conference this year. In the hour before the band took the stage, ACE kept people happy with plenty of snacks and beverages, served by what appeared to be an army of bartenders. Overall, the show had a steady crowd, though as time went on some of the dancing got a bit too ridiculous, inappropriate or just plain embarrassing. On that note, there were no medical emergencies during the show, just some people who only appeared to be having seizures. They were, in fact, dancing. I think.

Hats off to ACE for throwing what so far has been the most entertaining party during RIMS. Other companies be forewarned, this will be difficult to top.