Hootie & the Blowfish’s Jim Sonefeld Drops New Holiday Album Full of Family, Faith, and Christmas Cheer
- Betty Dunn Contributing Writer
- Updated Nov 06, 2024
Almost thirty years after Hootie and the Blowfish's phenomenal success with the album Cracked Rear View, Jim "Soni" Sonefeld, a songwriter and drummer with the band, has just released an uplifting Christmas album, Light of Joy, which promises to extend his reach further into Contemporary Christian Music. Commenting on his 1922 album, Remember Tomorrow, an article in American Songwriter magazine said Jim Sonefeld's ability to write music is "a powerful testament to Sonefeld's journey in faith" that "effortlessly weaves rock, country, gospel, and more into faith-driven folk-pop with a profoundly inspiring power."
The Christmas-themed songs on Light of Joy reflect Sonefeld's own brand of energetic spirituality, which developed during his recovery from rock and roll life. The album of original songs and rich instrumentals expresses his joy in following God's continued plan for his life. Never one to rest on his laurels, this is Jim Sonefeld's fifth solo project. The songs on Light of Joy are finely crafted by Sonefeld and accompanied by stellar Nashville studio musicians. Music producer Stan Lynch (of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) brought Sonefeld's work to completion. The tunes and lyrics, sung in Sonefeld's warm tenor voice, celebrate the real meaning of Christmas—honoring Jesus' birth and praising His love for us.
"Light of Joy (Gloria)," the first single released from the album, has a Christmas carol vibe with bells ringing and angelic singing. A traditional chorus of repeated "Gloria, Hallelujah" gives the song a classic sound. The lyrics tell the story of Jesus' birth and celebrate the newborn king, whose light may "Guide our feet to the path of peace."
The second track, "Mama in the Kitchen," describes a precious memory from Sonefeld's childhood, told in delicious, sensory images and accompanied by wistful piano runs. Family life was and is clearly important to Sonefeld, as he describes in his 1922 memoir, Swimming with the Blowfish: Hootie, Healing, and One Hell of a Ride. Clearly, baking confections with his mother long ago honors her and the close ties of family at Christmas.
"It's Love," the next track, was previously released. The song was co-written with Martin Chalk, a worship pastor and musician from Sonefeld's home base in South Carolina. A press release on Light of Joy states that "This inspirational 2022 track unapologetically focuses on the theme of love as the reason for the season of Christmas." Sonefeld's voice shines in the soaring chorus of "It's Love," as you can hear in this recording.
The Grinch down in Whoville couldn't have said it any better than Sonefeld when he sings, "There is a gift we all can find/Too big to fit under a tree/No box or bows could ever hold/A gift that's meant for all the word to see." The melody and lyrics create a mid-tempo anthem, like the iconic Hootie song "Hold My Hand," which Sonefeld wrote as the group's first single.
The next on the album, "I Won't be Blue at Christmas," is the first Christmas song Sonefeld recorded back in 2013. It was produced by Stan Lynch of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers for the album Light of Joy. The lyrics tell the shepherds' story of hearing angels announce Jesus' birth on a quiet hillside under the stars. The melancholy lyrics connect the lonely shepherds' unexpected joy to ours when we accept the loss of a relationship and gain God's Christmas gift to us. Sonefeld writes, "Now through His grace/I have been redeemed/so I won't be blue at Christmas/ I celebrate the newborn king." The poignant sound of a digitally rendered mandolin accompanies the solemn lyrics.
The last track, "I Just Want to See You," has a bluesy sound, appropriate for a song about missing someone at Christmas time. Playful lyrics about a reindeer dashing away and other features of Christmas, like snow, stockings, and Santa, keep the song upbeat. Guitar riffs showcase the talent of the studio musicians who recorded with Sonefeld.
Writing and producing the collection of inspirational songs on Light of Joy was driven by Sonefeld's current ministry of offering hope to people through his songs. He connects with a wide audience in his music, whether they are in a sold-out arena to see a Hootie & the Blowfish reunion concert or at an intimate Celebrate Recovery performance. He has come from behind the drum set to the front of the stage, spreading a joyous message while singing and playing his guitar. His unique testimony as a songwriter and band member of a mega-successful rock and roll group is a platform for Sonefeld to announce the good news of redemption through Christ.
His website bio states, "Sonefeld is grateful to be performing music and spreading the positive message that's always inspired him." Looking back at his career, the flame of sharing God's love was burning in Sonefeld's spirit when he wrote "Hold My Hand," the first single that skyrocketed Hootie and the Blowfishes' career. The song, Sonefeld said in our interview, is a mantra for life, for love and God, and for giving to others to gain more for yourself. He shares his gift of making inspirational, melodic music with his fans on his new Christmas album, Light of Joy.
LISTEN: Light of Joy (Gloria)
Photo Credit: ©Instagram/sonitime64
