Mount Pleasant Magazine Nov/Dec 2018

58 www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.ILoveMountPleasant.com | www.BestofMP.com W hen he first moved to the Old Village, which he claimed, “might be the best neighborhood ever in the history of neighborhoods,” in 1999, Mark Bryan was still a touring musician. The founding member, songwriter and guitarist for multiplatinum band Hootie &The Blowfish grew up in Maryland but fell in love with the Lowcountry. Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to helping others. Bryan and his band mates host Hootie & The Blowfish Monday After the Masters, which generates millions of dollars for charity, and also the annual Hootie Homegrown Weekend fundraising concert. Bryan co-founded and chairs Carolina Studios, which provides children across the Lowcountry a safe place to learn to write, record and produce music for free, keeping them engaged and off the streets. Amid all of these charitable efforts, Bryan also teaches Intro to the Music Industry at the College of Charleston and hosts “Live at the Charleston Music Hall,” a series on ETV. “The Charleston area has been very inspirational for me – there’s something about being in a port city that is worldly, like you can jump on a boat and go anywhere anytime, even if you don’t do it,” he smiled. “There are moments when I’m driving, biking, boating, swimming, golfing and I go ‘Oh my God, I live here.’ You can have a life here and in 20 minutes feel like you’re on vacation. It still has the charm, and it hasn’t lost its magic. I just have to leave earlier to get there now.” Photo courtesy of Mark Bryan. O