Once again, Hootie and the Blowfish has come through for me. With their music, they helped me through many things in life. Many a night I drove around in my sticker-filled mini van...looking at the stars in the sky and listening to the power in Darius's voice as he sang, "Goodbye." Many a night, I listened as Darius poured his heart into "Let Her Cry" - possibly one of the most beautiful songs ever written. Mr. Rucker's voice has sent many chills up my spine and given me hundreds of cases of goose pimples. (I haven't heard that word in forever!! Are they trying to phase it out?? Is it derogatory towards geese? Just wondering).
We used to go to karaoke bars all the time - me, my wife, and some friends. In 1999, I got up and sang, "Only Wanna Be With You," by...you guessed it...Hootie & the Blowfish. At the completion of the song, to my then girlfriend's surprise, I asked her to come up. I got down on one knee and proposed to her, dedicating the song I had just sung to her. I know...I know. How romantic could it be in front of a bunch of drunken idiots, you're probably asking. Please, try not to swoon into unconsciousness. In my defense, the first time I proposed to her was earlier in the year...at the Grand Canyon...as we watched the sun was setting over the majestic wonder on the Northern Rim...with Hootie's "Only Wanna Be With You" softly playing behind us on the car stereo. That time wasn't official, though. I didn't have a ring.
But now, thanks to a blog that I wrote about them, I have a writing job. And I'm so happy. I actually wrote the blog about them thinking that maybe it would catch one of their "people's" attention and maybe I could meet the band one day. That is my ultimate dream. Then I could die a happy man. But I suppose getting a job from the blog is the next best thing.
I'm not a celebrity worshipper or some nutjob fan. I just have nothing but respect for these guys. They're the "all-American" kinda guys. They have wives, families, and emotions. To me, they're real. They're all about beer, heartache, and having a good time in life. And they don't take themselves too seriously.
Hootie and the Blowfish are not only my favorite band. As silly as it sounds, they are a part of my life. I'm sure there will be more Hootie memories to follow.
So Hootie, here's to you and your funny name. If your people read this...how's about some tickets to the New Year's Eve Las Vegas show??
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