Greatness Courts Failure

Yes, THAT Hootie and the Blowfish

Sunday, May 17th, 2009

Yeah, yeah, I know. Take it easy there a minute. They didn’t have a 16 times platinum album because they sucked (1994’s Cracked Rear View). And their so-called sophomore slump, Fairweather Johnson? Four-times platinum. The Hootie backlash was just typical American consumer, knee-jerk jealousy. We root for the underdog but just can’t wait to take down the mighty. Maybe they became too successful too fast and radio stations overplayed their hits but the tunes were catchy, well crafted sing-alongs with only good intentions. Good, honest, adult contemporary, light rock. Heck, we’re not ashamed to crank the Hootie and chill out with a cold Schlitz on the nearly completed deck here at GCF.

And, it’s good intentions that Hootie and the Blowfish continue to exhibit even today. They turned out a few more solid albums which stayed true to their sound (they have officially stopped recording and touring so Darius Rucker could pursue his solo career). But today, they mostly dedicate their time and tunes to extensive charity work ­– most notably, and of concern to us here at GCF, is their annual Monday After the Masters Celebrity Pro-Am Golf Tournament. The tournament benefits numerous local and national golf and education charities and their own charitable foundation. It’s one of the top charity golf events in the country and raises nearly $500,000 a year. And, in case you enjoy the obvious, it falls on the Monday following the Masters.

There’s no denying the guys love golf. They’re all decent players and low handicappers and they’re from South Carolina (second only to Florida as a golfing mecca) where the courses are plentiful, beautiful, and challenging and the weather allows play thirteen months out of the year. (Heck, we love South Carolina so much it’s even home to the clandestine world headquarters of Greatness Courts Failure!) Mark Bryan, Hootie’s guitarist, even has a show on the Golf Channel, Road Trip: Myrtle Beach, where he travels to courses in and around Myrtle Beach with Josh Kelley, another singer/songwriter, Charley Rymer and Perry Swenson. They play challenges, sample the local food, and close the show with a song or two. Good, honest entertainment – just like Hootie and the Blowfish. Give them another try. I know you own the album, everybody does. If it makes you feel better, you can just play it in the truck by yourself. But don’t think I won’t see you singing along and no, I won’t hold your hand.