Swimming with the Blowfish

Hootie, Healing, and One Hell of a Ride

By: Jim Sonefeld

Narrated by: Jim Sonefeld

Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

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 Blowfish, 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 and 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 listeners 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 12-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.

©2022 Jim Sonefeld (P)2022 Recorded Books

All around great listen

I really enjoyed the narration, the pace and especially the genuine passion and humility that comes through. I feel like Jim did a great job of bringing me along his journey through the highs and lows. Very easy guy to root for. NCHS '83

Great listen

I very much enjoyed listening to Jim narrate his own story. His soothing voice makes driving much less stressful. Congratulations on a great book!

Solid and surprising!

As a longtime fan of Hootie, I love their music but knew little about their history or personal lives. Not anymore. Jim’s extremely personal account reveals a lot of surprising stories. Good and bad. I wasn’t expecting the lowest of lows or the spiral inspiration jumping off the pages. Jim’s narration just adds magic to the words. Very good book cover to cover! Oh, and if you happen to read this review… Jim, you definitely stomped all over the “bro code”! Then you set it on fire and danced on it. Props to Bryan for allowing you to continue breathing! 😂

Thank you

Thank you Soni for sharing with us! We are so proud of you. We’ve enjoyed the music and your friendship

Rock and Roll, and a little growth along the way.

I could not wait to listen through this book. Jim does the reading and his account of his life is riveting. I've never been paid to play an instrument or write a song, but his account of his addiction and struggles was very familiar to me.

Loved it!

Brought back so many memories. Loved the book and the fact that Soni did the reading. God bless you and your family Soni!

Metered Honesty

I’m not exactly a Hootie & the Blowfish fan; however, I appreciate Jim Sonefeld’s willingness to tell as much of the truth as he could with care and compassion. And, his way of finding the meaning in it. He’s a good storyteller. I’m also glad he voiced it himself.

A must listen for any True Fan Johnson!

Changed my perspective on what artists go through but also brought up great memories from the 19 HBF concerts I've been to. Thank you and God Bless you Soni.

The Story of Hootie and So Much More.

Man oh man, I can’t say enough good things about this book. Thank you Soni for being so honest, revealing, and heartfelt through these pages. I definitely didn’t want it to end. So glad Jim is the narrator, as well. His soothing, friendly, familiar, and expressive voice make listening that much better. I hope the Hootie journey isn’t over yet. I never got to attend one of the 2019 shows- so here’s to one last tour someday! And if you’re thinking about getting this book, definitely do it. I promise you’ll enjoy it immensely.

An Honest Reflection

l loved how Jim told his own story, in his own words and in his own voice. He was honest in is telling of his weaknesses and his passions. His love of family, music, and a fun time was evident before and after his recovery. His blended family is his joy, you can hear it in his voice. His faith and trust in the Lord is his balance. While he ends with Hooties' successful 2019 tour, we saw a Hootie concert July 2024, and it was AWESOME!! After reading Jim's and Darius' books, I'd love to see them again, now that I know their stories a little better. Their music, and thankfully the band members, live on to sing again!!