Midtown - Downtown in Columbia in Richland County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Hootie & The Blowfish

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 30, 2017

1. Hootie & the Blowfish Marker

Inscription. In the early 1990s, a vibrant music scene smoldered in the bars and clubs of Five Points. Bands played with energy and passion, hoping to fully ignite and find a broader audience. The band that burst from the scene was called Hootie & The Blowfish. Comprised of four friends from the University of South Carolina, Mark Bryan, Darius Rucker, Dean Felber, and Jim Sonefeld, Hootie played a brand of feel-good rock that began to reel in fans across the country. By 1995, Hootie was one of the biggest bands in America, and their first album, “Cracked Rear View,” became one of the biggest-selling debuts ever.

Hootie has released eight albums to date with collective sales of more than 25 million copies worldwide. Through their charitable organization, The Hootie & The Blowfish Foundation, the band has donated millions to South Carolina charities.

Five Points will always regard Mark, Darius, Dean, and Jim as native sons. After all, when Hootie toured the world, they always remembered their roots announcing from every stage, “We're Hootie & The Blowfish from Columbia, South Carolina.”

Insets:
• Billboard Music Award - Pop Act of the Year 1996
• MTV's Best New Artist in a Video - Pop Act “Hold My Hand” 1995
• “Cracked Rear View” - Five appearances at No. 1 on the Billboard Charts 1995
•

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Grammy Award Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals - “Let Her Cry” 1996

Erected 2010.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music.

Location. 33° 59.915′ N, 81° 0.961′ W. Marker is in Columbia, South Carolina, in Richland County. It is in Midtown - Downtown. It is at the intersection of Santee Avenue and Harden Street, on the left when traveling south on Santee Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Columbia SC 29205, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Boys of Richland County (about 800 feet away); A.S. Salley House (approx. ¼ mile away); Memorial Youth Center (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Statue of Liberty Division (approx. 0.3 miles away); Woman's Club of Columbia (approx. 0.4 miles away); Last Home of Wade Hampton (approx. half a mile away); Harden Street (approx. half a mile away); Gregg Street (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

Other markers no longer nearby. Remembering Dr. King (was about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing); Maxcy Gregg Park (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Hootie & The Blowfish Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 30, 2017

2. Hootie & The Blowfish Monument

The Hootie & The Blowfish Monument consists of a nine foot long granite slab with historical information, as well as a steel sculpture meant to evoke an abstract staff. It was designed by local stone carver Ron Clamp.

Hootie & The Blowfish Boulevard image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 30, 2017

3. Hootie & The Blowfish Boulevard

The nearby block of Santee Avenue was also renamed "Hootie & The Blowfish Boulevard."

Credits. This page was last revised on April 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 227 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 18, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.