Hootie and the Blowfish: "Hold My Hand" was their first hit and written by the drummer
Explicit content warning
10/18/24 • 73 min
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 worldwide 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.”
Their debut album Cracked Rear View, moved over 22 million copies (and counting) in the U. S. alone.
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.
Jim “Soni” Sonefeld has had a prolific career spanning from touring musician in one of the top-selling rock bands of all time, to award-winning songwriter, to solo artist. As Sonefeld gears up to release his fourth faith-inspired EP, Remember Tomorrow, he added the title of author to his list of achievements. His memoir, “Swimming With The Blowfish – Hootie, Healing, and One Hell of a Ride,” published by Diversion Books, released in late June of 2022.
The first single, “Hold My Hand,” a tune Sonefeld brought to the band early on, helped thrust Hootie & the Blowfish into its great success, and likewise showcases his songwriting ability. In the years to follow, the band would record six more studio albums and receive numerous awards, among them, two GRAMMYS®.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Hootie and the Blowfish tour dates: https://hootie.com
Soni's tour dates: https://jimsonefeld.com
Soni's solo music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0KNodVzuH2zoT1tglc3C9k
Listen to "Hold My Hand" here: https://open.spotify.com/track/4WnYuVFXe6Si4fZqkxbnvS
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 worldwide 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.”
Their debut album Cracked Rear View, moved over 22 million copies (and counting) in the U. S. alone.
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.
Jim “Soni” Sonefeld has had a prolific career spanning from touring musician in one of the top-selling rock bands of all time, to award-winning songwriter, to solo artist. As Sonefeld gears up to release his fourth faith-inspired EP, Remember Tomorrow, he added the title of author to his list of achievements. His memoir, “Swimming With The Blowfish – Hootie, Healing, and One Hell of a Ride,” published by Diversion Books, released in late June of 2022.
The first single, “Hold My Hand,” a tune Sonefeld brought to the band early on, helped thrust Hootie & the Blowfish into its great success, and likewise showcases his songwriting ability. In the years to follow, the band would record six more studio albums and receive numerous awards, among them, two GRAMMYS®.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Hootie and the Blowfish tour dates: https://hootie.com
Soni's tour dates: https://jimsonefeld.com
Soni's solo music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0KNodVzuH2zoT1tglc3C9k
Listen to "Hold My Hand" here: https://open.spotify.com/track/4WnYuVFXe6Si4fZqkxbnvS
Previous Episode
Edwin McCain: "I'll Be" wasn't a love song (but then it was)
From Greenville, South Carolina, Edwin McCain is going on over 30 years of hits and worldwide touring. He has been called a “street corner prophet” by the USA Today, an “aching tenor” by Slate Magazine, and a “great American romantic” by the New York Times, but Edwin is much more than those things. After a long ride on a wave created by recording two of the biggest love songs in the history of music (“I’ll Be” and “I Could Not Ask For More”), and producing and starring in a tv series (Flippin’ Ships on Animal Planet); Edwin slowed his road schedule to dedicate more time to his primary roles as husband to his wife and father to their three young teenagers. His hit songs, authentic spirit and surprisingly affable sense of humor keeps everyone coming back time and time again.
Well, the kids are grown-ish and Edwin’s fans are still clamoring for more. Not that Edwin’s music ever slows down. “American Idol” and “The Voice” contestants still turn to Edwin’s ballads year after year to help them win over judges and fans. Edwins shares, “The 15-year-old me would have crawled through a river of fire to be the singer/songwriter that I am today, and I remember that. I am incredibly grateful to be able to do this.” Millions more have been turned on by pop icons Justin Bieber and Charlie Puth who have both covered Edwin’s hit songs.
Links mentioned in this episode:
My TikTok breakdown of "I'll Be": https://www.tiktok.com/@rodkimrocks/video/7268801572505931054
Edwin McCain tour dates: https://edwin.com
Edwin's new music: [not yet released, will update here when it is]
Listen to "I'll Be" here: https://open.spotify.com/track/5K7AMlpc4796JRWXb26nCV
Next Episode
Hinder: "Lips of an Angel" is cleverly composed
Hinder’s story begins in 2001, when Cody Hanson (drums), Joe “Blower” Garvey (lead guitar), and Mike Rodden (bass) met and activated their musical chemistry. The 2005 hit “Lips of an Angel” from the band’s debut album Extreme Behavior, since certified 3x Platinum, topped the charts and remains a radio mainstay. Powerful lead vocalist Marshal Dutton joined them in 2015. Throughout their discography, Hinder has embodied an ethos of defiance and tenacity through gutsy lyrics, rousing melodies, and soaring choruses.
The band’s vigorous live shows and blend of catchy hooks with raw, emotive lyrics have earned them crossover appeal and a loyal global fanbase. Hinder emerges from the storm more focused and resilient than ever. With a renewed sense of purpose and drive, and still never afraid to take risks, Hinder is poised to continue forging its legacy as one of rock’s most enduring and dynamic bands. The band members’ resilience and adaptability have kept them at the forefront of the modern rock scene for nearly two decades, and they will continue—in fact, they’re just getting started.
Links mentioned in this episode:
My TikTok breakdown of "Lips of an Angel":
Hinder tour dates: https://www.hindermusic.com
Listen to "Live Without It" here: https://open.spotify.com/album/2CRwZC57AFDKsaz9gfSlZu
Listen to "Lips of an Angel" here: https://open.spotify.com/track/40LQiUUUKXVGyNs09lHVjW
If you like this episode you’ll love
Episode Comments
Generate a badge
Get a badge for your website that links back to this episode
<a href="https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rod-kims-millennial-sleepover-577748/hootie-and-the-blowfish-hold-my-hand-was-their-first-hit-and-written-b-76513569"> <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/goodpods-images-bucket/badges/generic-badge-1.svg" alt="listen to hootie and the blowfish: "hold my hand" was their first hit and written by the drummer on goodpods" style="width: 225px" /> </a>
Copy