How Hootie and the Blowfish drummer found new life in Christ

Published: October 30, 2024

How Hootie and the Blowfish drummer found new life in Christ

By Movieguide® contribution

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

“I went from a recreational drinker to a regular drinker, from a medicinal drinker to full-blown alcoholism,” Sonefeld told The Christian Post in describing the addiction that took over his life. “At this point I’m really faced with the question: What am I doing? How do I even deal with this? And it probably took four to five years of very painful, negative, dark times to find an answer.”

In 2004, a friend of Sonefeld gave him a twelve-step book to help him overcome his alcohol addiction. The book was also Bible-based and reconnected him with the childhood faith he lost when his band took off. The book helped him gain a new understanding of God and the lessons He taught, causing Sonefeld to see Him as a caring Father rather than a wrathful deity.

“As a 40-year-old man, I began to learn to let go of some of the problems I had with the way religion was taught to me as a young child, and I began to accept that many of the principles I was putting aside were actually very healthy for me, and continued with recovery and with a Bible,” Sonefeld said.

As he began to reconnect with his faith, Sonefeld began to express his newfound appreciation for the Lord the best he could: through music.

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

Sonefeld is now also using his platform to help others find relief from the addictions and struggles they face. He understands as well as anyone how difficult it can be to seek help, but he also knows how impactful it can be to have someone walk beside you through your pain.

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

He’s getting ready to release his very first Christmas album, Light of joy.

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

The album’s first single, ‘Light of Joy (Gloria)’, issued on October 18. The full album will be released on Friday The Desert News.