Darius Rucker-lead vocalist
Dean Felber-bassist
Mark Bryan-guitarist
Jim "Soni" Sonefeld-drums
Additional Musicians:
Peter Holsapple-keyboards
Gary Greene-percussion
Influences
Some of the collective musical influences of the band are:
REM
Tom Waits
Don Dixon
Al Green
Led Zeppelin
The Smiths
With the rich, bluesy vocals of Darius Rucker and gleeful harmonies of guitarist Mark Bryan, bassist Dean Felber and drummer Jim "Soni" Sonefeld, Hootie & the Blowfish, sold over 25 million records world wide after their infectious melodies hit the airwaves in 1994 with hits such as "Hold My Hand", "Let Her Cry" and "Only Wanna Be With You."
One of the biggest misconceptions to most people is that Hootie & The Blowfish became an overnight success in 1994 when their debut album Cracked Rear View, moved over 16 million copies (and counting) in the U. S. alone. What most people don't know was that the album's triumph came after a decade of hard work.
The quartet met when they were freshman at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. Mark Bryan heard Darius Rucker singing in the showers of the dorm they shared and was impressed by his vocal ability. Bryan and Rucker began playing cover tunes as The Wolf Brothers; eventually Bryan and Rucker hooked up with Felber, a former high school band mate of Bryan's, and Jim "Soni" Sonefeld as Hootie & The Blowfish. (The unlikely moniker was borrowed from the nicknames of two college friends.)
By the time they graduated, endless gigs at frat parties and local bars had built a major local buzz. "We'd started adding original material to our repertoire," Bryan recalled. "Our songs went over well, so we decided to see if we could make a career out of it. Even if we hadn't had a hit, I know we'd still be making music today, because it's exactly what we want to be doing."
The band's secret weapon, and the force that pulls all of its diverse influences together, is the voice of Darius Rucker, an expressive instrument brimming with gritty soul and subtle wit. When he sings, the songs are imbued with a buoyant good humor and an openhearted joy that connects on an almost spiritual level with audiences all over the world. "Having Darius in the band is a wonderful luxury," Mark Bryan explained. "We can try something funky, or bluegrassy or a ballad; we can run the gamut stylistically, but never stray too far from our sound because once Darius starts singing, it's Hootie and the Blowfish.
In the next five years Hootie & The Blowfish worked their way up the food chain from local draw to gigs all over the Carolinas and finally, the entire East Coast. Their blend of pop, folk, blues, soul and rock made them hard to pigeonhole, but easily accessible to anyone who loved good music. Atlantic Records, impressed by their regional draw, signed them and released Cracked Rear View in 1994. The album had been out for six months before the band played on the Late Show with David Letterman. Letterman told his audience "If you don't have this album, there's something wrong with you." The day after the show aired, sales went from four or five thousand a week to 17,000 a week, and eventually Number One on the Billboard charts the following spring. It remains a strong seller today. "It became dream-like," Rucker recalled. "I'd wished for it, but I'm not sure I believed it, even as it was happening. We were on tour constantly; the whole thing is still kind of a blur."
At the end of the year, Cracked Rear View and the band won two Grammy's - Best New Artist and Song of the Year by duo or group for "Let Her Cry." They also took home an MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist for "Hold My Hand," a Billboard Music Award for album of the year, a People's Choice Award for Album of the Year and a People's Choice Award for Best Selling Artist, a feat they duplicated in 1996.
Cracked Rear View went on to earn the band Billboard's Band of the Year Award in 1996 and the RIAA's Diamond Award for sales of 10 million units. Cracked Rear View remains the 12th best selling album in music business history, and all albums combined, have moved over 25 million worldwide.
The band kept touring, remaining a top draw nationwide and released five more albums for Atlantic: Fairweather Johnson, (three million); Musical Chairs, (one million); Scattered, Smothered & Covered; Hootie & The Blowfish and The Best of Hootie & The Blowfish as well as a solo album by Mark Bryan 30 on the Rail. Rucker has also released a solo effort, Back To Then on the Hidden Beach label. The band left Atlantic by mutual agreement in 2004; Looking For Lucky released in 2005 was their first album on their own Sneaky Long Records, manufactured and distributed by Vanguard. LIVE in Charleston, The Homegrown Concert Event DVD and CD was released in August of 2006.
James Sonefeld Solo Debut "Snowman Melting"....AVAILABLE NOW at http://www.aquariannation.com.
Mark Bryan Solo Album "End of the Front"...AVAILABLE NOW!!!!
Guys, It was a great pleasure playing across from you at Humphrey's San Diego last Monday. Thanks for coming through to check out our show. Best of luck in all your future musical endeavors and I hope that our paths cross again soon. Peace -n- Music, Scott Carter & New Breed
Loved the show in Charleston last month. From a guy who attended the MTV Unplugged show on the USC Horseshoe over 12 years ago, you guys never disappoint. Thanks for all you do!
Ever since I saw you guys open for Toad Wet Spocket in 1995 at Penn State, I've been a HUGE fan. Witnessing Darius sing the Toad song "I will not take these things for granted" was chilling. You guys should redo or cover that song on your next albumn.
We need more albumns.......Quality first though. Love you guys.
Hey thanks for your friendship have you heard my sons band Shorelines End ? if you like the music add the band, Hope you have great day and take care Piper
The Blizzard of OZZY would like to thank you for adding us to your group of friends.
Watch for our bulletins with the latest news, tour dates, photos, songs, official BLIZZARD OF OZZY merchandise, and whatever else we can think of..............
Thanks for the Ad. I went to Clemson in the early 90's (dont hold that against me!!) and saw you in many bars, and am still a huge fan. I saw you Aug 4 in NJ, you rocked!!!
Thanks for putting on an awesome show here in Charleston. It was the first time I was able to see you guys and it was awesome! In 1994 I used to sing your songs to my daughter who was born in June 94. You sound alot better than me :). Thank you also for helping give back to the Charleston County schools. Look forward to seeing you play again.
Hootie and the Blowfish Demo (1993, Fishco)
Kootchypop(1993, Fishco)
Cracked Rear View (1994, Atlantic Records)
Fairweather Johnson (1996, Atlantic Records)
Musical Chairs (1998, Atlantic Records)
Scattered, Smothered and Covered (2000, Atlantic Records)
Hootie and the Blowfish (2003, Atlantic Records)
The Best of Hootie and the Blowfish: 1993-2003 (2004, Rhino/Atlantic Records)
Looking For Lucky (2004, Vanguard Records)
Live In Charleston: The Homegrown Concert Event (2006)
