Published: October 30, 2024

How Hootie and the Blowfish Drummer Found New Life in Christ

By Movieguide® Contributor

Hootie & the Blowfish drummer Jim “Soni” Sonefeld has described his life of addiction and the freedom he found once he regained his childhood faith.

“I went from a recreational drinker to a regular drinker to a medicinal drinker to a full-blown alcoholic,” Sonefeld said The Christian Post when describing the addiction that engulfed his life. “At this point I’m really struggling, what do I do? How do I deal with this? And it took probably four to five years of very painful, negative, dark times to find an answer.”

In 2004, a friend of Sonefeld’s gave him a 12-step book to help him overcome his alcohol addiction. The book was also biblically based and reconnected him with the childhood faith he lost once his band took off. The book helped him gain a new understanding of God and the lessons He taught, helping Sonefeld to see Him as a caring Father rather than an angry deity.

“I began to learn to release, as a 40-year-old man, some of the obstacles I had with the way religion was taught to me as a child, and I began to accept that many of the principles that I rejected. they were actually very healthy for me and I went forward in recovery with a Bible,” Sonefeld said.

As he began to reconnect with his faith, Sonefeld began to express his newfound appreciation for God the only way he knew how: through music.

“I decided I just wanted to sing and write about positive things; a celebration of faith and transformation,” he explicitly. “I wrote a lot, even with Hootie, about romantic love and heartbreak and the whole journey. But as an older man, I felt that I really wanted to celebrate the positive side. So really I’ve only written songs that are a celebration of Jesus, new life, revival (…) I write a lot about my recovery.”

Sonefeld is also now using her platform to help others find reprieve from the addictions and struggles they face. He understands as well as anyone how hard it can be to ask for help, but he also knows how impactful it can be to have someone walk by your side through your pain.

“For those struggling with addiction or mental health, especially during the holidays, there is always help available,” Sonefeld said. “It takes courage to reach out, but support is there through recovery programs, counseling and community. I wouldn’t be here without taking that step.”

READ MORE: JIM SONEFELD OF HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH OPENS UP ABOUT HOW FAITH SAVED HIM FROM SUBSTANCE ABUSE

He is preparing to release his first Christmas album, The Light of Joy.

“I want to celebrate the birth of a Savior, but I also grew up in a cultural Christmas, with trees and Christmas lights and Santa Claus and that whole idea,” he said. said. “I think it’s okay to have both.”

The first single from the album, “Light of Joy (Gloria)” ISSUED on October 18. The full album will be released on Friday, per The Deseret News.