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Jim Sonefeld
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Swimming with the Blowfish: Hootie, Healing, and One Hell of a Ride Hardcover – June 28, 2022

by Jim Sonefeld (Author), Darius Rucker (Foreword)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 134 ratings
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The ultimate front-row seat to the rise, fall, and rebirth of a band that was—for a time—the biggest in the world, Hootie & the Blowish, and Jim Sonefeld’s shattering and redeeming spiritual path from addiction to recovery and a more fruitful life

For a time, there was no bigger band in the world than Hootie & the Blowfish—rock & roll’s unexpected foil to the grunge music that dominated the early ’90s airwaves. In Swimming with the Blowfish, Jim Sonefeld, drummer and one of the band’s principal songwriters, reveals the inside story of the band’s humble beginnings, meteoric rise, sudden fall, and ultimate rebirth—and in the telling he opens his heart to readers about addiction, recovery, and faith.

Hootie became ubiquitous in the ’90s—their debut album Cracked Rear View was one of the best-selling in the history of rock music; they won two Grammy Awards; their live performances were played alongside the Dave Matthews Band, R.E.M., and even Willie Nelson and Neil Young; and they appeared at the biggest venues in the world. Though Jim enjoyed the perks that came with fame—the parties, the relationships, the money, the drugs and alcohol—eventually it all became a camouflage that hid a deeper spiritual malady. As his life was careening toward disaster, he reached out his hands to seek relief in twelve-step recovery, eventually settling into a loving, but by no means uncomplicated, homelife.

  A book that encapsulates a band still beloved by legions of fans, Swimming with the Blowfish is much more—an unpretentious, emotional story of one man’s spiritual path to a more fruitful life. Jim’s journey is shattering, redeeming, and ultimately as comforting as your favorite flannel shirt.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    304 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Diversion Books
  4. Publication date
    June 28, 2022
  5. Dimensions
    6.25 x 1 x 9.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1635767679
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1635767674
  8. See all details
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From the Publisher

Darius Rucker

Dan Patrick

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Glen Phillips

Editorial Reviews

Review

"We loved, fought, cried, laughed a lot, and did whatever it took to play the music that we knew was very distinctly ours. . .Jim Soni Sonefeld has lived a life that is rife with fun and pain, light and darkness, but always with an amazing amount of love. The way he sees the world is one of a kind and his story is one for the ages.—from the Foreword by Darius Rucker


“I’ve truly relished hanging out with the fun-loving, mischievous Soni through the years, but this book exposes a more deeply-rooted, impassioned side he didn’t always show. He captures the spirit of the surreal and sometimes unsettling life behind the scenes of one of my favorite bands, sincerely revealing that he is as fragile as the rest of us. It’s an eloquent yet humbling example of a lesson we can all learn from—that no degree of fame or fortune leaves us immune to experiencing pain, powerlessness, and regret.”

—Dan Patrick,broadcaster and host of The Dan Patrick Show 


Sonefeld details his rollercoaster ride through rock and roll, addiction and sobriety with searing honesty and grace.

—Radney Foster,singer-songwriter of Foster & Lloyd and author of For You To See The Stars 


From the moment we crossed paths it was clear to me that Jim is more than the drums, more than the band, and more than the music. Highs and lows, good and bad, pretty and ugly . . . he’s gone through it all. This is a great peek into an amazing trip through a rock ‘n’ roll life—and beyond. Like a good snare drum, it’s crisp, memorable, and it packs a punch."

—Alexi Lalas, journalist, retired professional soccer player, singer/songwriter 


"It's easy to forget how many lives one person can live. I've known Soni for close to thirty years and it's a great gift to have this window into the details and inner world of his unique journey."

—Glen Phillips,lead singer of Toad the Wet Sprocket  

About the Author

Hootie & the Blowfish drummer Jim “Soni” Sonefeld dreamt more of being a professional soccer player than a successful musician. But with the unsuspected success of the band’s 1994 debut release, Cracked Rear View, he and his bandmates found themselves traveling the world to support what would become the 16th best-selling album of all time in the United States. The band would record four more studio albums and receive numerous awards, among them, two Grammys. During this era, Sonefeld’s lines of truth became blurred and his addictions began to take over his life as he relied heavily on drugs and alcohol to cope with the emptiness growing inside of him. He struggled to find peace and to hold his personal life together, and in 2004 Sonefeld finally accepted that he was powerless over drugs and alcohol and that his life had become entirely unmanageable. In sobriety Sonefeld discovered there were parts of his life that had incurred damages beyond repair, but that God would heal him if he turned his life over to His care.

Since then, a full spiritual awakening led to a complete lifestyle change and inspired Sonefeld to follow a new path of clarity, and nothing was clearer to him than God’s calling to recreate himself as a Contemporary Christian artist. He also helps others in recovery by sharing his story and his music with Celebrate Recovery groups around the United States.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Diversion Books (June 28, 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1635767679
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1635767674
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.2 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 1 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 134 ratings

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Jim Sonefeld

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
134 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Kevin
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! Great read.
Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2023
Verified Purchase
I loved reading this book. I read it in 4 sittings over 3 days because it was hard to put down. I never knew what Jim was going through. I've met the rest of the band on several occasions over the years but I never met Jim until 2017 (a simple handshake and a "great show"). Great to learn that the band are still like brothers and I am looking forward to seeing them on tour in 2024 in Boston. I highly recommend this book. I would give it six stars if I could. (75iJ) (ALL THAT I BELIEVE)
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The Clocksmith
5.0 out of 5 stars Very revealing!
Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2022
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Back in 1991 I played in a band where Hootie opened for us in NC and we opened for them in SC. I knew Jim back before Cracked Rear View and although there was some drinking I never saw what he mentions in the book. Jim “Soni” was an athlete that happened to play drums in my eyes. Really happy he opened up and is honest about his addiction and am very proud of him opening up about is issues and recovery! Great job with this book!!!! Bryan (Battersea Park)
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Whitney Y. Hills
5.0 out of 5 stars Hootie fans must read!!
Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2023
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This is a great insight into the story of Hootie and the Blowfish...and the heart wrenching story of drummer, Jim "Soni" Sonefeld's battle with alcoholism and addiction. I wish to the thank Soni for sharing this book with the legion of Hootie fans everywhere!! God Bless!
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BBL
5.0 out of 5 stars Honest, open, and directly addresses the elephant in the room with class and compassion
Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2022
Verified Purchase
What a great read! Soni takes us on his journey of love, self-hate, addiction, healing, and forgiveness. He gives just enough juicy details of “life in THE band,” to keep my 90’s fan girl happy, while carefully keeping it classy and respectful of everyone involved. I found his spiritual healing to be truthful and real, rather than God being the next drug of choice, like so many others. Truly an inspiring story.
3 people found this helpful
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Robert McCardle
5.0 out of 5 stars My one book this year
Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2022
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I wouldn’t consider myself as a big Hootie fan. A fan nonetheless, but I’ve met Jim a few times over the years as just another dad.

Jim and Laura seem so happy together, and I couldn’t be happier for them. Great read…that coming from a guy who doesn’t like to read. Proud of Jim for his work after recovery and after coming to know the Lord. Don’t rule out a second book that picks up where this book left off. I will be first in line to buy it.
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Ashley Houston
5.0 out of 5 stars What a story!
Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2022
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The courage to tell this story, and to tell it so honestly and so boldly, must be celebrated. “Swimming with the Blowfish” is not only entertaining (I laughed, I cried, I hugged the cover when it ended!), but to think someone may read it facing similar peril and find hope in the author’s words, that is truly powerful.

Not only as a USC grad and Hootie fan, but also as a firm believer in redemption, friendship, and love, I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
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Sparky21
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best...
Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2022
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Great book, loved Jim's comments on growing up and when he joined Hootie, their beginning, rise, fall and rise again. He did a great job of discussing his issues, sobriety, and facing life's issues. Could not put it down, read it in 2 days.
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JG
5.0 out of 5 stars Kicks
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2022
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Wonder what makes Hootie's timekeeper tick? Read this and find out. I enjoyed the stuff about early groups like Calvin and Friends as well as close encounters with superstars Gene Simmons and Bob Dylan. Like listening to a favorite Bob Marley song or hearing an old friend whistle along to Dock of the Bay.
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Top reviews from other countries

Arni Arnthorsson
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent insight into the music business and the dangers of it.
Reviewed in Germany on December 9, 2022
Verified Purchase
Jim Sonefeld has done a great job of showing how the music business can be fraught with dangers. While it may seem that from the outside that all is fine, so many things happen that can easily derail people, especially those who are vulnerable. I really enjoyed the flow of the book, and the frank and honest self-analysis. Jim is not trying to preach to anyone, just telling his story as he sees it. A great read for anyone, but especially those who may at times struggle in life.
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