Best Local Musician: Hootie and the Blowfish

Although Hootie and the Blowfish is an internationally acclaimed band, they haven’t forgotten where it all started — right here on campus!

Darius Rucker, Mark Bryan, Jim Sonefeld and Dean Felber were all students at the University of South
Carolina when they started Hootie and the Blowfish. They started performing in college bars in Columbia, but they didn’t stop there! The band went on to record a hit album that skyrocketed them to fame.

Having famous alumni has its perks, as Hootie and the Blowfish are still big fans and supporters of UofSC and occasionally stop by Columbia. Their 2020 reunion tour ended at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, and in 2017, they performed a free concert for the students after the football team made it to the bowl game. In 1996, Hootie and the Blowfish made the Horseshoe their stage and performed a free concert for the community! They have also donated to the School of Journalism and Mass Communications building.

Hootie and the Blowfish have certainly not forgotten the people of Columbia and the people of Columbia have not forgotten them after voting them best local musician again for 2021!