Hootie & the Blowfish Deliver Energetic Medley at the AMAs, Celebrating 30-Year Milestone

Thirty years after winning Favorite Pop/Rock New Artist at the 1996 American Music Awards, Hootie & the Blowfish returned to the AMAs stage on Monday night. The band performed a seamless medley of “Hold My Hand” and “Only Wanna Be With You,” featuring the classic lineup that recorded 1994’s breakthrough album Cracked Rear View: frontman Darius Rucker, guitarist Mark Bryan, bassist Dean Felber, and drummer Jim Sonefeld.

Opening with “Hold My Hand,” Rucker’s baritone vocals and acoustic strumming energized the crowd. The group transitioned into “Only Wanna Be With You,” sustaining the momentum with jangly guitars and tambourine accents. Among the audience, John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, the girl group Katseye, and country singer Riley Green were seen smiling throughout the performance.

During the ceremony, Rucker was presented with the Veterans Voice Award, a USAA‑sponsored honor recognizing musicians who advocate for veterans and their families. The award was presented following a similar recognition given to Zac Brown last year.

After a hiatus during which Rucker pursued a solo country career, the band reunited in 2019 for a tour and new album, and returned again in 2024, including a set at this year’s Stagecoach festival. Rucker, who released a single last year with his Howl Owl Howl supergroup (featuring R.E.M.’s Mike Mills and former Black Crowes drummer Steve Gorman), told the Rolling Stone Music Now podcast that his focus had not been on the band.

“Every time I played with Hootie—in ’19 and two years ago—it was because the fans wanted it,” Rucker explained. “I wasn’t eager to return or take a pay cut, but the fans asked, and we answered.” He added that the recent Stagecoach show would likely be the band’s last for some time, though the AMAs performance and upcoming festival dates suggest otherwise.

At the 1996 AMAs, Hootie & the Blowfish triumphed over Alanis Morissette and Blues Traveler for the award and later secured Best New Artist at that year’s Grammy Awards.

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