Hootie & the Blowfish

Hootie & the Blowfish
Company type	Private
Industry	Music
Founded	1986 in Columbia, South Carolina, United States
Founder	Darius Rucker, Mark Bryan, Dean Felber, Jim Sonefeld
Headquarters	Columbia, United States
Products	Music albums, singles
Number of employees	4 (principal members)

Hootie & the Blowfish is a rock group from the United States that originated in Columbia, South Carolina in 1986. The principal members have consistently been Darius Rucker, Mark Bryan, Dean Felber, and Jim Sonefeld. Following a break starting in 2008, the band regrouped for a 2019 tour and launched Imperfect Circle, marking their first studio release in fourteen years.

As of now, Hootie & the Blowfish have earned two Grammy Awards, placed 16 singles on the Billboard charts, and produced six studio albums. Their debut record, Cracked Rear View (1994), ranks among the top-selling albums in U.S. history with 22 times platinum certification. Their notable Top 10 hits include "Hold My Hand", "Let Her Cry", and "Only Wanna Be with You". Additionally, they secured three number-one singles in Canada.

Early years

Darius Rucker and Mark Bryan crossed paths as freshmen at the University of South Carolina during the mid-1980s. Bryan, who played guitar, was captivated by Rucker’s vocal talent after hearing him sing in their dorm showers. Initially, they performed covers under the name Wolf Brothers.

The lineup expanded with bassist Dean Felber, who had previously played with Bryan in high school, and drummer Brantley Smith. The band adopted the name Hootie & the Blowfish in 1986, inspired by nicknames of two college acquaintances—one known as "Hootie" for his large glasses resembling owl eyes, and another dubbed "Blowfish" due to his puffed cheeks. After college, Smith departed to pursue a career in music ministry but occasionally joined as a guest; he was succeeded by Jim "Soni" Sonefeld in 1989, establishing the stable lineup.

In 1991 and 1992, they independently issued two cassette demo EPs. In 1993, they self-released Kootchypop, pressing 50,000 copies. Atlantic Records signed them in August 1993 after A&R representative Tim Sommer discovered their work. Sommer observed that other labels were reluctant because their style diverged from the prevailing grunge movement.

1994–1995: Cracked Rear View and mainstream success

The band’s breakthrough album, Cracked Rear View, debuted in July 1994 and achieved platinum status in the U.S. by January 1995. It spawned four hit singles: "Hold My Hand" (peaking at No. 10 in the U.S.), "Let Her Cry" (U.S. No. 9), "Only Wanna Be with You" (U.S. No. 6), and "Time" (U.S. No. 14). The last single, "Drowning", charted exclusively on the Mainstream Rock chart. In 1995, they resolved an out-of-court settlement with Bob Dylan concerning unauthorized use of his lyrics in "Only Wanna Be with You". The music video for that track featured Dan Marino, Miami Dolphins Hall of Fame quarterback, along with other athletes.

1996–1997: Fairweather Johnson and promotional singles

In 1995, Hootie & the Blowfish contributed "Hey, Hey, What Can I Do" to Encomium, a tribute album honoring Led Zeppelin. Their rendition of Canadian group 54-40's "I Go Blind", included on the Friends soundtrack but absent from their albums, gained radio popularity in 1996 following singles from Fairweather Johnson. Both songs were later compiled on Scattered, Smothered and Covered.

At the 38th Annual Grammy Awards held on February 28, 1996, they received accolades for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for "Let Her Cry" and Best New Artist. Prior to releasing their sophomore album Fairweather Johnson (1996), the band appeared on MTV Unplugged. This album featured the successful single "Old Man and Me" which reached No. 13 in the U.S., and sold four million copies domestically.

1998–2008: Intermediate period

In 1998, the group took part in Frank Wildhorn's concept album for the stage production The Civil War. Their third studio project, Musical Chairs, was released on September 15, 1998, featuring the tracks "I Will Wait" and "Only Lonely" as singles.

For the soundtrack of the 2000 Jim Carrey film Me, Myself & Irene, they recorded a rendition of the 1968 Orpheus track "Can't Find the Time". The band sustained a rigorous touring itinerary, including annual New Year's Eve performances at Silverton Las Vegas in Enterprise, Nevada.

In 2000, they issued a compilation of B-sides and rare tracks titled Scattered, Smothered and Covered, a name inspired by a well-known Southern Waffle House hash brown order.

Their self-titled album was released in 2003, followed by Looking for Lucky in 2005.

2008–2018: Break and individual projects

In 2008, Darius Rucker declared a break from the band to concentrate on a solo career in country music, confirming that while they would complete planned charity shows, recording and touring activities would be paused. He later emphasized that the band was not dissolving.

In 2009, Hootie & the Blowfish performed live as part of a ballet that depicted their rise during the 1990s.

Rucker launched multiple solo albums including Learn to Live, Charleston, SC 1966, True Believers, Home for the Holidays, and Southern Style.

The band reunited briefly for a one-off appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman in May 2015. Later that year in August, Rucker disclosed on The Today Show that new music was in development and they intended to record an album once prepared.

Also in 2015, Irish group Music for Dead Birds released a track entitled 'Hooty and the Blowfish', which slightly altered the band's original name.

2019–present: Fresh releases and touring

On December 3, 2018, Hootie & the Blowfish announced their participation in the 44-city Group Therapy Tour alongside Barenaked Ladies throughout 2019 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Cracked Rear View. This tour commenced on May 30, 2019, in Virginia Beach, concluding on September 13 in their hometown of Columbia, South Carolina. Additionally, they secured a new recording contract with UMG Nashville.

Their sixth studio album, titled Imperfect Circle, was released on November 1, 2019.

In April 2020, the band issued a cover version of R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion".

Sonefeld published his memoir Swimming with a Blowfish: Hootie, Healing, and the Ride of a Lifetime in 2022. In 2024, Rucker followed with his own memoir titled Life's Too Short: A Memoir.

Record label

In 1996, Hootie & the Blowfish established Breaking Records as an Atlantic Records subsidiary aimed at promoting local Carolina talent. Although artists such as Edwin McCain and Cravin' Melon were linked to the label, no albums were released from them. The label produced one album each by The Meat Puppets, Jump, Little Children, Virginwool, Treadmill Trackstar, and Treehouse before ceasing operations in 2000.

Charitable initiatives

Hootie & the Blowfish have consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to philanthropy. During the 1990s, they allocated all earnings from a Seattle concert to a rape crisis organization in memory of Mia Zapata from the punk band The Gits. In October 2006, the band and their team participated in constructing homes within New Orleans' Musicians' Village. Since 1995, they have been patrons of the yearly Monday After the Masters Celebrity Pro-Am Golf Tournament, which raises funds for local charitable causes.

The group has also shown support for American military personnel by undertaking USO tours across the Middle East and Europe. On December 5, 1998, Darius Rucker delivered an a cappella performance of the US National Anthem aboard in Jebel Ali, UAE, followed by a concert for the stationed crew.

From 2005 through 2009, Hootie & the Blowfish appeared annually at Animal Mission's 'Party Animals' silent auction held in Columbia, South Carolina, generating over $100,000 each year to support free spay/neuter initiatives. They reunited for a performance at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey on October 18, 2008.

Additionally, the band is affiliated with Canadian charity Artists Against Racism and has engaged in their campaigns to raise awareness, including participation in televised public service announcements.

Musical style

Unlike their grunge era peers, Hootie & the Blowfish's sound has been characterized as "a mainstream pop-oriented adaptation of blues rock," blending "jam band" rhythms with MOR pop elements. Their musical palette also incorporates influences from alternative rock, soft rock, roots rock, heartland rock, country rock, blues rock, and college rock genres.

Current lineup

Mark Bryan – lead guitar, backing vocals, piano (1986–2008, 2009, 2015, 2018–present)
Dean Felber – bass guitar, backing vocals, piano (1986–2008, 2009, 2015, 2018–present)
Darius Rucker – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (1986–2008, 2009, 2015, 2018–present)
Jim Sonefeld – drums, percussion, backing vocals, rhythm guitar (1989–2008, 2009, 2015, 2018–present)

Past members

Brantley Smith – drums (1986–1989)

Current touring personnel

Gary Greene – percussion, drums, piano, banjo, backing vocals (1995–2000, 2001–2008, 2018–present)
Garry Murray – banjo, mandolin, fiddle, additional guitars, backing vocals (2019–present)
Lee Turner – keyboards, mandolin, accordion, additional guitars, backing vocals (2021–present)

Former touring personnel

John Nau – keyboards, mandolin, harmonica (1994–2003; studio and touring musician)
Peter Holsapple – keyboards, mandolin, accordion, lap steel guitar, additional guitars, backing vocals (1995–1998, 2003–2008, 2018–2021)
Philip "Fish" Fisher – percussion, drums (2000–2001)

Discography

Studio albums

American Music Award

The American Music Award is an annual ceremony celebrating achievements in the American music industry.

|- | rowspan="5" | 1996 | rowspan="4" | Hootie & the Blowfish | Artist of the Year | |- | Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group | |- | Favorite Pop/Rock New Artist | |- | Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist | |- | Cracked Rear View | Favorite Pop/Rock Album | |- | 1997 | Hootie & the Blowfish | Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group | |}

Grammy Award

The Grammy Award, bestowed by The Recording Academy, honors outstanding accomplishments in the English-language music sector.

|- | rowspan="2" | 1996 | Hootie & the Blowfish | Best New Artist | |- | "Let Her Cry" | Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals | |}

MTV Video Music Award

Presented by cable network MTV, the MTV Video Music Award recognizes superior work in music videos.

|- | rowspan="2" | 1995 | rowspan="2" | "Hold My Hand" | Best New Artist | |- | Viewer's Choice Award | |- | 1996 | "Only Wanna Be with You" | Best Group Video | |}

External links

Official Hootie Golf website