" This was 1994 or 1995 at a place called Hickory Hollow Bbq in Houston, TX. Tootsie was the lead singer/string bass and throughout the night she noticed a group of guys that seemed to really be into the show. She guessed they were musicians and invited them up, having no idea who they were. Even when Dean Felber (I think?) told her they were Hootie and the Blowfish it meant nothing to her or to anyone there except maybe one or two in the audience. Fast forward a week or so later. My aunt, uncle, and cousin came home for a visit. We were all sitting around my grandparents' house when they put this tape in the VCR. I grew up around bluegrass, old country, and folk music. Practically everyone in the family is musical, something us kids took for granted. So when the video started we rolled our eyes and made fun of their flame outfits. Everyone else mostly talked over it when suddenly there's that unmistakable voice of Darius Rucker (who we all assumed was named Hootie at the time). This was a time when you couldn't go anywhere without hearing them and it blew my mind that my uncle and cousin didn't understand how big this band was. It's not that we were fans, but we certainly knew them and probably had their songs memorized just from them getting constant airplay. My cousin is the goofy one who backs them up with the mandolin. If I remember correctly, he felt they weren't getting a good reception at first so he thought he'd help them out. My uncle is the one who loans his guitar to Darius. That's about it. I'd nearly forgotten about it but was at my parents this weekend digitizing some of their old home movies and I thought it was interesting enough to share."
I was in Del Mar in about 1994 or so, sitting in this girls apartment with friends. Someone said some band was playing across the street at a bar. Everyone walked over, I stayed there and watched ESPN or something since I hate people. It was hootie and the blowfish, friends said they were pretty fun. I said with a name like that they’ll never amount to shit.
I had the pleasure of meeting/working and having dinner with Hootie(I know that's not his name) while working for the Golf Channel. Quality dude, great voice, and actually knew a little bit about basketball.
That's a really crazy story. Love that kind of stuff also. Your story sort of reminds me of this video. Ive always loved this video since it came out a few years ago, dude has no idea he is jamming with Matisyahu. The look of realization afterwards is hilarious, then you can tell the kid can barely talk straight.
I know it's crazy niche but he is really really good. The reason he isn't recognized in the coffee shop video is that right before that he had the full Jewish gear on when he was on stage. Beard, sideburns and outfit. He looked like a rabbi out there spitting lyrics and had just recently shaved. I saw him live when Dirty Heads opened for him 2009ish and was blown away at how good of a live show he put on. El Prez posted his most famous break out song but here is the song they are singing at the coffee shop. And a few others
We saw Chapel Hart on AGT. They stole the show. As is stands, they will be appearing on Darius Rucker's new album. We're gonna see them at The grand Ol' Opry in September https://www.yahoo.com/video/chapel-hart-set-appear-darius-202847146.html
Worked with him at two different golf tourneys back in the day. Seemed like a real cool dude, but definitley liked to party.
I lived in Colo Springs and headed up to Denver to see them twice in small to medium sized clubs before they hit it big. Good sound, but I never thought they were anything super special. Blew me away when they made it big and blew me away even more when they passed Boston for the most sold debut album of all time.
I remember seeing like a ‘behind the music’ on Hootie and they got formed while they were in a fraternity at Clemson. Rucker was skeptical of it all at first and then they became famous
