Hootie & the Blowfish are an American soft rock band that were formed in Columbia, South Carolina, in 1986.The band's lineup for most of its existence has been the quartet of Darius Rucker, Mark Bryan, Dean Felber, and Jim Sonefeld.The band went on hiatus in 2008 until they announced plans for a full reunion tour in 2019 and released their first new studio album in fourteen years, Imperfect . Sonefeld and Laura Bryan married earlier this . Jim Sonefeld: It certainly leaves a lot of carnage. He released the solo album Snowman Melting in 2012. Risen Magazine: What specific changes did you feel you had to make to keep this new commitment? Hootie & the Blowfish drummer Jim Sonefeld opens up about his experiences with addiction, substance abuse and recovery in his new . Jim Sonefeldis aDrummerwho has a net worth of approximated to be around $6 million. Bible teacher Jen Wilkin addresses criticism of her views on sending children to public schools, Teen, 21-year-old man indicted for murder of Memphis pastor, Deion Sanders' prayers are constitutionally protected, lawyer tells University of Colorado, Revival at Kentucky college faces hurdles from school leadership, moves worship off-campus. .switcher .selected a {border:1px solid #161616;color:#f7f7f7;padding:3px 5px;width:161px;} We never had to cancel a gig. Jim Sonefeld was born in Michigan on October 20, 1964. He wrote some of the band's most popular songs, including "Hold My Hand" and "Time," but after years of touring and suffering from alcohol addiction, he left the band in order to focus on raising his children. His life had become entirely unmanageable. You remarried in 2008, and I've heard that your second wife, Laura, played a role in your growing faith. At the height of his career and the peak of his addiction, the stickman was . But ultimately, at the urging of family and friends, he started attending 12-step meetings, gave up booze, remarried, and recommitted himself to God and family. After some years of that it led to using alcohol, and then drugs medicinally, to numb the real pain and the void I had in my heart. Jim 'Soni' Sonefeld, Soundtrack: Message in a Bottle. Could Rucker have been referring to the relationship between Hootie drummer Jim "Soni" Sonefeld and Laura Bryan, the ex-wife of guitarist Mark Bryan? .switcher .option::-webkit-scrollbar {width:5px;} But when the big time hit it challenges your motives. So I look for others who need help staying sober, I share with them my experience, and working with them is what is going to help me stay sober today. James George Sonefeld (born October 20, 1964), is an American musician and one of the founding members of Hootie & the Blowfish. Kenneth Berlin has researched cancer. She had been on sort of a parallel path in her life, where she was coming to realize that she hadn't been living the way she wanted to. I had to pull all these idols downalcohol, sex, attention. I just used the drugs and alcohol to numb the pain I felt from all my bad decisions. Jim Sonefeld, Everybody who has felt the pull of the holy spirit and then made a conscious turn toward Christ has a story to share because we are all sinners. Today, with a clear perspective of the past, this musician is sharing his experience and message through new songs and reaching out to help others who battle addiction. Whether its an actor, athlete, author, musician, politician, or another influencer of this generation, Risen shares an exclusive angle that wont be read anywhere else. The song, written by Sonefeld, is a testament to the grace he found through his faith after battles with addiction. However, road life involved an extreme partying lifestyle, and Sonefeld found himself relying heavily on alcohol and drugs. ISBN: 9781635767674. Who is Jim Sonefeld's partner? I finally found enough courage to walk his walk. However, both of them have children from their previous marriages. Today, Sonefeld is a contemporary Christian music artist, and he shared his story of faith, family and music with The Christian Post on Friday. He played drums and percussion for the band and was on backing vocals. We have estimated Wealthy Gorilla Limited | All Rights Reserved. Its when you get sober that youre able to start looking back and can say, Whoa, that wasnt right, or I had a trend in x-behavior or the way I dealt with relationships. Its only in cleaning up that you can look back and start earmarking your maladjustments. Like getting in a wreck with one of your classmate's parents' car before you even get a driver's licenseand it's involving alcohol. Alcoholism is a progressive disease. Jim Sonefeld: I would say I was shy, but competitive, if I could make that contrast. He tried to do that, but he failed in that endeavor. We have a foundation we support down here in the Carolinas, and we do some charity events. He was longtime bandmates with Darius Rucker, who later went solo and became a country music star. Some just appear more dramatic than others. The band's 1994 debut, Cracked Rear View, is one of the best-selling albums of all time, going Platinum an amazing sixteen times over. Now that you surrendered to all these things, let's begin. But the contradiction is that I was a successful soccer player who got decent grades and went to church on Sunday. I started high school in 1979. 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. 40 Jim Sonefeld pictures. .l_name {float: none !important;margin: 0;} "The similarity is that I still write about life experiencewhat I see and what I feel. Copyright 2012 Christianity Today. ", Sonefeld (second from right) and the band were huge in 1995, It wasn't until after our fame started going downhill a bit that it started getting a little dark and creepy. With his large number of social media fans, he often posts many personal photos and videos to interact with his huge fan base on social media platforms. Jim Sonefeld was born in the significant city of Lansing, South Carolina, You will be shocked to know that he was not very much involved in music during his school days, his only passion was soccer. You can find out how much net worth Jim has this year and how he spent his expenses. You dont necessarily have a blueprint for it and it just kind of develops. "That was important, for me to see people that could do that. And thats the proper perspective. Longtime Hootie & the Blowfish drummer Jim Sonefeld joins Fox Across America With guest host Rich Zeoli to discuss how turning to a higher power helped save him from substance abuse in the early . Jim Sonefelds height is 1.66 m, which is equal to 5 ft 5 in. He has been married to Laura Beth Brunty since the 6th of December, 2008. And as I did, who was standing there but God, not saying I told you so, not making me feel like I was a failure, but saying, All right, now let's start over. However, he shocked the world after marrying his band member's ex-wife, a mother of three. He believes God had his hand in the timing of the break, too, because at that time Rucker had already been producing his first country record. Why don't you make me feel even smaller by sending a 4-year-old to fix me up? 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Sonefeld says he grew up in a loving Catholic family, and was the middle child in a group of five siblings. .switcher .option a {color:#eaeaea;padding:3px 5px;} He has a pure loving kind heart personality. Was there ever a pressure to outperform yourself when something youve written resonates across the country or around the world? Kenny is a musician. Cracked Rear View was released in 1994 and gained massive success. Risen Magazine: How did addiction affect your family and personal life? Jim SonefeldNet Worth, Biography, Age, Wife, Height, Weight, and many more details can be checked on this page. Jim Sonefeld has a net worth of $5.00 million (Estimated) which he earned from his occupation as Athlete. CBN.com - Hootie & the Blowfish drummer Jim Sonefeld partied hard and didn't stop until he went to an addictions recovery meeting back in 2004. Get the best from CT editors, delivered straight to your inbox! Click for reprint information. That was a big thing for me to overcomeI could dig being a Christian, but I when I started writing and singing, I realized, Oh wait, I have to sing in front of people. Yes. She just looked down and said, "Dad, what are you doing out here?" Risen Magazine: Some would say a number of those songs are among the most recognizable in the English language. Its a spiritual program; any of the 12-step groups are spiritual programs. I was trying to fill myself with sports cars, groovy new clothes. I was lying hung over in the music studio I had built behind our house; I had not made it into the house the night before. Jim Sonefeld: You know what, I only learned most of what I know today about my addiction from getting sober. Risen Magazine: What has been the reaction of your former band members to the new direction youve taken in your personal life and your music? During this era, Sonefelds addiction started to take over his life. You can scroll down for information about his Social media profiles. In 2008, Sonefeld released his solo album Snowman Melting on Aquarian Nation Records/The Orchard record label. [Regarding] the special moment, I dont think I ever thought, Oh, my gosh weve just broken through! They continued making music. Updated: November 04, 2019 Dean Felber, bass player for Hootie and the Blowfish, married Laurie Hutchinson on Saturday, becoming the third member of the band to tie the knot. Jim Soni Sonefeld married Laura Bryan in a private ceremony on December 6, 2008. Most of my listeners came through Hootie and the Blowfish to discover my solo music. Theyre also anonymous which leaves most people to not publically announce their participation. At age 18, Sonefeld left his home to attend the University of South Carolina, where he began looking into other forms of spirituality and religion apart from Catholicism. I had no connections in the Christian music field, but now we're trying to get this thing out there. .switcher .option a:hover {background:#748393;} His memoir, Swimming With The Blowfish Hootie, Healing, and One Hell of a Ride, published by Diversion Books, will be released in late June of 2022. Real name James George Sonefeld Born October 20, 1964 Country United States IPI . Here are some of the best highlights of Jim Sonefelds career: I definitely wanted to express more emotion on this record while stretching my musical horizons. I couldn't even answer the question; I had been stumped by my four-year-old daughter, and it hurt more than any hangover. She had already had a great head start in the Bible as an adult, and so that was very helpful for both of us as we grew together. Is Jim Sonefeld Still Married To Laura Bryan? Jim Sonefeld: I spent a couple of years in a 12-Step program, and I dont know at what point, but somewhere along the way I realized that it was God who was working in my life and that was what got me sober. Jim Sonefeld, drummer for the rock band Hootie and the Blowfish, addresses his alcoholism on a daily basis, noting that his spiritual growth blossomed "when [he] made that decision to practice a daily surrender, a daily prayer, [and] a daily devotion.". I don't think so. That was part of me believing God. At 58 years old, Jim Sonefeld height not available right now. Are you sure you want me to do this, God? 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. Im always up for discovering some uncharted waters and I think I found some this time around. Jim Sonefeld, Id love to think I reached a bunch of fans on my own solo merit, but its unlikely. I had a big family of boys and a little sister surrounding me we all were pretty active. The band broke up in 2008, the 12 months Jim and Laura obtained married. You try and . I'd been intervened. Hootie Drummer Jim Sonefeld Chronicles His Spiritual Journey in Autobiography. Maybe that would be the time to revisit some sort of reunion tour. So I kept finding myself back in these places, and I couldn't figure a way out of them. I had never really had that so equally with three other guys. By Jim Sonefeld, Darius Rucker (Foreword by) $28.99. He still gets 1 million dollars every year just from royalties of his music. Jim Sonefeld. That could be me on the receiving end, the giving end, or just reading a story about someone elses experience in forgiveness. By: Jeff Walker, Book Review. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. Now that you know all about Jim Sonefelds net worth and how he achieved success; lets take a look at some of the lessons we can learn from him: Cameras may follow you. While at South Carolina, you guys formed a band. But I didn't have a spiritual foundation, and it was only a matter of time before I got knocked off that pedestal because I was afflicted with something elsean addiction. Hootie and the Blowfish Ex-Band Member Jim Sonefeld. Jim Sonefeld: It allows me to feel useful, because when youre addicted, youre living a life of secrets and lies, and darkness you dont feel very useful. So, I have to be strong in that. Jim Sonefeld's net worth Deborah Ann Mason, a former spouse, was his first wife. I just try to lead by example. Risen Magazine: If you could go back to the beginning of those Hootie days and give one piece of advice to Jim Sonefeld then, with the wisdom you have today, what would that be? In fact, its probably the only thing that got me to the University of South Carolina that I still had a sizeable dream in my heart of playing professional soccer, or taking it to whatever the next level was. Weve been performing for five years, tell us something that can help us along this path just in case the path ends in 90 days. He said, Make sure you can separate the music from the music business. And that was the best advice Id heard at that point, because they are two distinctly different things. But the blessing is that at some point, by Gods grace only, I became aware that it was too much, and it was too wrong, and it hurt. Before Jim married Laura Bryan, he was previously in a relationship with Deborah Ann Mason. Laura Bryan, the ex-wife of Hooties guitarist Mark Bryan, and Mark have two children. Popularly known as the Athlete of United States of America. Likewise, Laura is the mother of three children with her ex-husband Mark Bryan. It turned out only one of us could [laughs]. Jim 'Soni' Sonefeld married Laura Bryan in a private ceremony on December 6, 2008. Its creative, therefore, theres no standard, necessarily, besides trying to keep your song under four minutes [laughs]! German racing driver Ralf Schumacher has earned millions as a Grand Prix champion in Formula One. It was more of a cultural thing. But the more difficult change is when you start carrying their faith more boldly. The 58-year-old drummer was born in Michigan, United States. When did you and your first wife divorce? What was that like? I got to speak at a prayer breakfast the other day for about 300 civic leaders and Christians in our community. Since December 6, 2008, he has been wed to Laura Beth Brunty. This past summer, Sonefeld released his first contemporary Christian album, focusing on his freedom from addiction and his changed life. Drummer Jim Sonefeld talks Hootie & The Blowfish, cost of fame. I had a lot of signs that were out there, believe me, God was trying to hook me in long before I realized that it was him speaking to me. Risen Magazine: Ive read about you back then and now, and youve been very open about addiction in your life. Jim Sonefeld has been able to build his wealth through an . Do I just want to sit around and simply believe that theres something out there, or do I actually believe that those promises are for me and that life could be for me? Drummer famous for being a founding member of the popular pop-rock band Hootie & the Blowfish. Hoping to experiment with some new sounds for Love, Sonefeld sought out South Carolina producers Matt Houston/Sanchez Fair and Les Hall. Join thousands of others to get the FREEDOM POST newsletter for free, sent twice a week from The Christian Post. Could you walk us through how it began and how it affected your career? Risen Magazine: As the band became very successful and as you had more success and fame, money and ultimately access to whatever your heart wanted back then, did you ever feel satisfaction at the time like, Wow, this is exactly what I want or did you think Theres always going to be more? .switcher .option {position:relative;z-index:9998;border-left:1px solid #161616;border-right:1px solid #161616;border-bottom:1px solid #161616;background-color:#474747;display:none;width:171px;max-height:198px;-webkit-box-sizing:content-box;-moz-box-sizing:content-box;box-sizing:content-box;overflow-y:auto;overflow-x:hidden;} And it's a difficult thing to all of a sudden realize, "How did I get here?". 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. Jim and Laura do not have children together. Jim Sonefeld has earned over 25 million dollars, just from the music. They were very supportive. Close friends and relatives were present during the ceremony. That was my epiphany right there, man. "Darius wasn't fighting the idea of getting off the road because he felt the pull of country music in his heart," said Sonefeld. "For me it was God showing me that I need to choose what is important in my life," Sonefeld said. Cindy . It wasnt me, or even those around me. He net worth has been growing significantly in 2018-19. So I didn't need a driver's license to get my first run-in with the police and drinking and driving. I have a new purpose, and I feel like God is paving the way for me. Can you tell us a little about your ministry in helping others with addiction? However, the band reformed in 2018 and released their sixth studio album Imperfect Circle in 2019. Who Is Wes Scantlin Ex Wife Wes Scantlin is a musician,, Is Melanie Martinez Alive Or Dead? 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