Monday, April 29All That Matters

Hootie & the Blowfish are invited on stage, performing for an oblivious crowd at a Houston BBQ in 1994

by MulciberTenebras

Hootie & the Blowfish are invited on stage, performing for an oblivious crowd at a Houston BBQ in 1994

Hootie & the Blowfish are invited on stage, performing for an oblivious crowd at a Houston BBQ in 1994 from OldSchoolCool




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50 Comments

  • MulciberTenebras

    The video comes from /u/dick122 , as well as the story of how his family recorded this:

    videos/comments/wden1t/hootie_the_blowfish_perform_for_an_oblivious/iihrtsm/

    >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.

    Reply
  • Will-FLO

    Hootie and the Blowfish are on the cusp of stardom in this video. In July 1994, they release “Cracked Rear View.” It goes on to sell over 21 million copies.

    Reply
  • alljayeveryjay

    love these types of moments…it feels so genuine with humble Hootie sharing his special song with a room full of folks. Shot on VHS no less, very cool….thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  • 4w0k3

    Darius is sporting the usual Charleston SC attire, shorts/polo type shirt/docksides or flip flops. We all grew up and went to school together.

    Reply
  • JeffRSmall

    We used to go see them in Myrtle Beach at a spot called “The Purple Gator”. They were kind of a houseband of sorts there. Smoked weed with a couple of ’em after some shows.

    Reply
  • kfh227

    Their first album was released July 1994. Most 9f their success started in 1995.

    Depending when this was filmed exactly I wouldn’t be shocked that no one knew them. I’d guess the band on stage knew them because musicians tend to ve friendly with eachother.

    Reply
  • RepTexas

    These are the experiences you miss out on if you don’t support local talent and get out and experience live entertainment. Had some pretty cool moments myself going to local shows.

    also, man i would have been dead had I found out I was drowning out Rucker’s vocals to help him out. Ouch. he was a good sport about it tho it seems.

    Reply
  • lilsnotnosetommy

    Man, this was so great. They just offer up their axes like it’s nothing – that’s some Southern hospitality right there. Darius is the real deal too, huh? This song should have got more play

    Reply
  • samrazi

    I remember back when poor Darius was called “Hootie” , as if everyone else in the band was a single unified Blowfish

    Reply
  • dac2u

    That was awesome! I love how the lady was all, “come on up, here’s your chance” after someone already said they had a hit single out. Everyone’s blissfully unaware how big these guys would be in another month or so.

    Reply
  • C0matoes

    Darius is truly a good guy. I saw these guys in 92 at a bar in S.C. then later met them in Columbia just hanging out with my brother and the guys from Crossfade like it was just a regular thing.

    Reply
  • mattpsu79

    I always get a kick out of seeing old performances of bands before they got big. Anyone know of some good ones out there?

    Reply
  • dukesinatra

    I remember hearing somewhere that Simon Cowell measures all singers against Darius Rucker as he believes that Rucker is as close to perfection as one can get.

    Reply
  • D34throooolz

    love this video. whenever Hootie comes on my spotify playlist, no matter what mood im in, never have the heart to skip them

    Reply
  • Noolivesplease

    This is awesome! I’m from Charleston and have met various members of the band over the years. Darius went to my high school, so they were sort of local heros when they got big. Great guys.

    Reply
  • mangomangojack

    On a freezing weekday night in Chicago at a bar with about 15-20 people, Kid Rock joined the band and played all his hits. Chris Chelios was sitting at the bar also feeling no pain. It was a special night.

    Reply
  • Northwoods555

    Darius Ruckers impact on country music broke so many peoples opinions. Just listen to that sweet voice, Hootie was a great band

    Reply
  • DPG1987

    I recall back in 1994 my father brought home a free promo cassette from “some band” (Hootie & the Blowfish) that had “Let Her Cry”, “Only Wanna Be With You”, “Hold My Hand”, and “Time” on it. They had made an appearance at the Winter Island Blues Festival in Salem, MA.

    My Dad had no idea who he had heard there but what an experience that must have been to be there so early on.

    Reply
  • unicorntrainer1999

    It’s a shame to me that Darius Rucker doesn’t get the respect he deserves to this day, but he still tours and don’t gaf

    Reply
  • wellhushmypuppies

    I love this story. They weren’t my favorite band but they sure put out some catchy tunes. Mandolin was a real plus.

    Reply
  • Helens_Moaning_Hand

    I was drunk the first time I ever heard them. I heard their name as Hoagie and the Blowbags. No one corrected me for six months.

    Reply
  • This-Id-Taken

    I used to live in upstate NY. Dude owned a bar and restaurant, bar food really. But he made a ton of money, built a $1mil concert venue. This is around 98 or so. Ibwas fresh out of culinary school and working as a sous chef. Dude asked if I’d work morning of a concert and cook brunch for Hootie and the Blowfish. Alright. As I was done cooking and started cleaning, I was eating my own plate in the kitchen. One of them, the drummer I think, asked me to come sit with them. Alright. Darius Rucker got up and grabbed me a chair. They were so cool. Not my type of music but put on a good show. Let me sit side stage. Sat and joked with us before and after the show. My name was just Chef, all night. They were really cool and not pretentious dicks. I had a great day with them.

    Reply
  • halfchuck

    I love it when celebrities encounter people that have no idea who they are and then they seem happy to finally have a normal interaction with another person.

    Reply
  • Mynamewasmagill

    Best concert of my life was Darius Rucker, the night his first country album came out. At the Cabooze in Minneapolis, $15 got you in and a copy of the CD. The man just sang his ass off in an acoustic set and passed around a bottle of Jack towards the end. Maybe 200 people there. Just a fantastic night.

    Reply

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