Photo by Molly Harrell

Jim Sonefeld goes for it.

“When I see a solution, I’m going for it.” That’s how Jim says he wound up serving as president of the Animal Mission, “a group of everyday citizens trying to stop the needless creation of pets.” 

He’s also completed his first solo record.  “It’s a purging of several years of life and love and loss in music, 13 songs to be exact.”  After years collaborating, Jim had qualms about going it alone.  “Now, at the end, it tops selling all those records.  Every if, and, or but comes from my heart,” he says. 

A father of two, he still plays with Hootie and the Blowfish five months of the year.   Some things have changed—priorities, his hairstyle—and he says, at 43, he’s finally aware of how little he knows.  “Just when I think I’ve done all the weird things, I’m wearing a fluffy green skirt in a city park.”  

What do you like about reading skirt!?
“I know all about men.  I like to read about things I don’t know.”

And wearing a skirt?
“The look on people’s faces.”