Jim Sonefeld

Jim Sonefeld was raised in a Catholic family in Naperville, IL. After high school, he attended the University of South Carolina with hopes of playing professional soccer one day, but upon earning his degree in 1989 opted to join a group of like-minded musicians in a band called Hootie & the Blowfish. After touring clubs for five years, the band released their major label debut, Cracked Rear View, which went on to sell 16 million copies and earned the group two Grammy Awards. Along the way, Sonefeld's use of drugs and alcohol took the driver's seat in his life. By the end of 2004, with the bottom falling out, he sought out a 12-Step program and began a spiritual housecleaning that included a renewed relationship with God. Encouraged by his wife Laura, he began writing contemporary Christian music. The result has been three independent rock-based projects in four years; Found (2012), In (2014), and Love (2015). Sonefeld mainly performs his new music for charities, churches, or Celebrate Recovery®, a Christ-centered addiction recovery program. Hootie & the Blowfish perform 4-5 times a year to support the Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation, benefiting South Carolina charities. Sonefeld lives in Columbia, SC with his wife and blended family of five children.