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• hootie.com • Buy Hootie CD • Drew Davis Band • bergenPAC.org
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Summer School of Rock! A Kweevak.com Rock Report by Rich and Laura Lynch Two-time Grammy award-winning Hootie & the Blowfish have toured for over 20 years and sold over 25 million records, but when the band performed at the bergenPAC in Englewood, New Jersey on August 4, 2008 - they had an even greater objective in mind - to gather school supplies for local needy students. Patrons arriving at the venue had an opportunity to drop off pencils, crayons, rulers, notebooks and other essential items of learning on their way into the thriving downtown theater and education center.
 Jim "Soni" Sonefeld, Mark Bryan, Darius Rucker and Dean Felber. In fact, the band is marking its 6th Anniversary of the "Homegrown Concert Series" that began in 2003 when the band learned about budget cuts taking place in education in their home state of South Carolina. They first established an annual concert in Charleston as a way to help raise awareness to the needs of local school children in the community. The first venture was an incredible success and the band decided to expand the concert into other markets. In partnership with f.y.e. for your entertainment, Hootie & The Blowfish and the "Homegrown Concert Series" have collected over $150,000 worth of school supplies to date. "Children are our best resource and our most hopeful investment," says Darius Rucker - lead singer and guitarist for the popular chart-topping foursome. "With proper tools, our children can receive a well-rounded and meaningful education." The quartet formed in 1986 with the core members meeting at the University of South Carolina. Hootie & the Blowfish made their musical mark in the mid nineties with their debut - the multi-platinum Cracked Rear View - which was huge with its beguiling blend of blues, folk, soul, rock and wit. Four other studio albums were released but they did not reach the pinnacle of the first stellar record. The band were perceived as victims of their own succes but Hootie & the Blowfish has maintained a faithful and fervent fan base during their twenty plus year history - and they turned out in force for the show in New Jersey.
 Darius Rucker Rocks in New Jersey! (Photo: courtesy of bergenPAC) The current run of Homegrown concerts are emphasizing the rock and roll roots of Hootie & the Blowfish and showcasing new material from group member's solo projects, thus the band is learning new songs and expanding their classic catalog. Musicianship is a big part of the group. Each core member and the touring team are multi-instrumentalists. In addition to their usual tools of the trade the guys played the accordion, lap steel and mandolin. Hootie & the Blowfish incorporated many moods and styles into their songs. Darius' smooth soulful vocals are the center of compositions that are crisp, concise and colorful. Harmonies, catchy hooks and melodies are also essentials in the Hootie history and live performance. The concert at the bergenPAC was a career spanning set that included the classic crowd-pleasers such as "Hold My Hand", "Time", "I Go Blind" and "Let Her Cry" along with other gems from their catalog. Rucker's voice was rich and vibrant and the Blowfish were tight. The crowd was very receptive - clapping, dancing, standing and singing along to familiar favorites. In addition to their own material Hootie & the Blowfish paid tribute to other great rock bands including Led Zeppelin (Hey Hey, What Can I Do), Oasis (Champagne Supernova) and R.E.M - who they cited as the one group that inspired them to want to play music before launching into a spirited rendition of "Losing My Religion". The concert was very much a return to the band's roots but also focused on the present by presenting new songs from individual band members. Like good industrious students three of the four core players in Hootie have recently turned in solo projects to be graded by the Blowfish fans. "South Carolina" - an ode to the band's home state - came from James Sonefeld's Snowman Melting. "Don't Think I Don't Think About It" from Darius Rucker's soon to be released Learn To Live - his first country tinged album for Capitol Records Nashville - was played to a nice reception. During the encores the band also joined Mark Bryan on "Fork In the Road" from his End Of The Front CD. Hootie & the Blowfish were enthusiastic and executed their set list with scholarly precision. There was some commentary and reminiscing between songs but the focus was on the music. Interpretations were succinct and soulful with not a lot of extensive jamming, which the band would be quite capable of if they chose to do so. But they are well schooled in the short and snappy radio-friendly format that the fans much appreciated. Although the show was often steeped in the past, the band did utilize the latest in technology with nine big digital flat screen monitors that provided crisp visuals behind the band. The video montage was especially effective during "State Your Peace" - a very soulful and stylistically interesting number from the group's 2005 release, Looking for Lucky.
 Bank of America's Gift of $25,000! (Photo: courtesy of bergenPAC) Hootie & the Blowfish are scholarly in performing live but are still learning new songs and strategies. The show at the bergenPAC was a lively review of Hootie's history and an education in their future. Continuing the education theme - a generous donation from Bank of America to the bergenPAC to help develop an art school - was presented at the event in between Hootie's main set and first encore. B.O.A. President Ann M. Limberg presented a $25,000 check to bergenPAC board chair to support its new Bergen County Arts' Magnet Program specializing in dance, theater and music. "Arts education programs like this one are critical to ensure the future success of our youth," said Ann M. Limberg, President, Bank of America New Jersey. "Bank of America believes strongly in providing resources to help nonprofit organizations providing innovative solutions to complex issues. This funding will go a long way to helping a number of children gain the skills they need while providing a valuable personal enrichment opportunity." Bank of America is a leading supporter of arts and culture in the United States. Through a wide variety of programs, Bank of America works to strengthen artistic institutions and provide greater access to treasured works of art for both its customers and those who might not otherwise experience them. Each year the company provides millions of dollars in grants to a wide range of arts organizations, supporting education and access programs and enabling institutions to expand their scope, and underwrites national and local performances, arts programs, and exhibitions. Opening for Hootie was the five-piece Drew Davis Band, fronted by the namesake who had a striking stage presence. Davis quickly connected to the crowd. He encouraged folks to clap and sing along and by the end of their set some women were dancing in front of the stage. Drew made sure to sing to them and give a shout out to Hootie & the Blowfish. The band was skillful and rocked out on songs that had a country flavor enhanced by harmonies. The Drew Davis Band has aptitude and energy and has the potential for hits just like Hootie.
Core Members & Touring Team ABOUT bergenPAC: Known as The John Harms Center for 27 years, this cultural hub in Englewood, has been reborn as Bergen Performing Arts Center or bergenPAC. This 1367-seat theater is a landmark, and in its third season as bergenPAC it remains one of the finest acoustic halls in the United States. The legendary Tony Bennett and Canadian crooner k.d. lang recorded their 2003 Grammy award-winning CD live on bergenPAC's own stage through a broadband fiber-optic connection with Bennett Studios. bergenPAC is the home of a media production system that is unparalleled, upholding its reputation as a venue for outstanding music, dance and theater. As a non-profit corporation, bergenPAC has thrived thanks to the aid and generosity of sponsors, donors and patrons.
 Solo projects from key Hootie members emerged in 2008! Originally Published: 08/06/2008 on Kweevak.com |
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