“Kootchypop”
November 19, 2018{1993} The band was deflated and questioned whether to call it quits after a record deal with JRS Records fell through in January of 1992. But they persevered and called on Mark Williams and artist Don Dixon for vocal arrangements and booked a self-funded recording session in Charlotte, NC.
The five-song EP they recorded titled ‘Kootchypop’ would eventually land on the desk of Tim Sommer, an A&R rep at Atlantic Records. After listening to the CD that already had tens of thousands of copies sold without the support of a record label, Sommer decided to go see Hootie play live in Charleston, SC. Amazed by their performance and audience draw, he walked backstage and told the band he was signing them to Atlantic!
“When I flew out to meet the band and catch a show, I saw immediately that they were a great band, tremendous people and had that rare attitude of honesty about every aspect of their music and business. … Hootie was seriously committed to what they were doing and were willing to work hard to achieve their goals.” -Tim Sommer