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Jim Sonefeld
Grammy Award-Winning Musician & Drummer, Hootie & the Blowfish; Acclaimed Solo Artist and Memoirist; Addiction and Recovery Speaker
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 geared 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, was released in 2022.
The Hootie & the Blowfish drummer grew up dreaming more of sporting victories than becoming a successful musician, but after that dream came to a close, he immediately began writing songs, performing, and chasing a music dream. With the unsuspected success of Hootie & the Blowfish’s 1994 debut release, “Cracked Rear View”, he and his bandmates found themselves traveling the world to support what would become the 9th best-selling album of all time in the United States.
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®.
In the early 2000s Sonefeld began relying on drugs and alcohol to feed an emptiness growing inside of him and would struggle to control his substance use. It wasn’t until late 2004 that he finally accepted he was powerless over drugs and alcohol. It was there he made a turn that would save his life and eventually alter his spiritual path.
With a sober mind and new clarity, he began writing about his transcendent experience and the journey into healthier, happier living. Since his first full-length solo album "Snowman Melting" (2008) was released, under the name James Sonefeld, he has delivered a trilogy of EPs coined, "Found In Love."
The gift of recovery is what leads him to help others by sharing his powerful story and his music with groups around the southeast. Sonefeld is thrilled to be stepping out from behind the drum kit again to play his latest single ‘Bow To Him,” stating, “This song celebrates a full submission to love. It acknowledges God as a true liberator.”
Other tracks from his new EP, including the rocking “Unafraid,” and sentimental “I See Heaven On Earth,” fall in line with themes of acceptance, transformation, and victory over life’s difficulties. These days, Sonefeld enjoys his coffee, an obsession with Liverpool Football Club, and being part of his blended family of seven, never taking for granted the blessing of the far-reaching audience he has garnered through his career with Hootie & the Blowfish. But, no matter the size of the audience before him, Sonefeld is grateful to be performing music and spreading the positive message that’s always inspired him..
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Hootie, Healing, and One Hell of a Ride
Seamlessly weaving together the power of song and storytelling, award-winning musician and drummer for Hootie & the Blowfish Jim Sonefeld takes audiences on a whirlwind journey that will have them experiencing every emotion imaginable. He’s open and honest as he retraces his path to stardom as a member of one of the biggest rock bands of all time, his subsequent descent to rock bottom, and his eventual redemption arc. His stories are wildly entertaining and full of inspirational lessons on taking chances, believing in yourself, and overcoming adversity on the path to making big dreams a reality. Sonefeld’s message resonates with any audience and his stories help people uncover the opportunities within their challenges as they set out to achieve their purpose.
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