BIG DEAL HAS SOMETHING TO HOOT ABOUT

Kenny MacPherson's Big Deal Music Group has inked a deal with pop-rock hitmakers Hootie & The Blowfish in a venture with music-biz veteran (and blowfish enthusiast) Rick Krim.

The worldwide admin pact will include the group’s forthcoming reunion set, due 11/1 UMG Nashville (which has been frontman Darius Rucker’s label home as a successful country solo act). Hootie sold north of 25m records and scored a bevy of huge hits, including “Hold My Hand,” “Let Her Cry” and “Only Wanna Be With You.” The band's been on the U.S. leg of its Group Therapy Tour all summer, with U.K. and Ireland dates through the fall.

Big Deal Co-President Jamie Cerreta hailed the group’s mondo success, noting, “We are very honored to be working with them, as well as Rick, and are excited for their fans all over the world to hear this amazing new album.”

“I have had the pleasure of knowing the Hootie guys since 1994,” said Krim. “To have the opportunity to work with them again in 2019 is a true thrill, and to do it in partnership with the amazing team at Big Deal makes it even more special. Now, who’s got the beer bong?”

Seen above wondering which one’s Hootie are (back, l-r) back row: drummer Jim “Soni” Sonefeld, manager Chris Parr, attorney Richard “Gus” Gusler, Ceretta, and (front, l-r) Krim, guitarist Mark Bryan, Rucker and bassist Dean Felber.