A lot of folks don't know what Bruce Hornsby has been up to since his 1987 Grammy award-winning album, "The Way It Is," made him a Top 40 darling.
And, frankly, he doesn't care.
"I'm living," said Hornsby in a phone interview from Nashville, Tenn. "There's always going to be a whole lot of people who know a little about you and a few people who know a lot about you."
Those who know a lot about Hornsby's musical career know that the former front man of the Range has long abandoned the pop charts and has amassed a musical career that has spanned three decades and has made him a sought after sideman for such acts as Bob Dylan, Bonnie Rait and the Grateful Dead.
While mainstream radio fixates on the latest from teeny-bopper baby-faces and hip-hop hard-cores, Hornsby has sold more than 10 million records worldwide.
His latest album, "Halcyon Days," has enjoyed the same critical praise his eight previous efforts have received since his debut effort nearly 20 years ago. The humble Hornsby shrugs off his latest work.
"It's ok, it's whatever," responds Hornsby to his recent album.
"I'm more impressed with the fact that I'm celebrating the 20th anniversary of recording for major labels. In this business, it's hard to get to that point and it's even harder to hang around for so long. I'm very proud of that."
Saturday, Hornsby takes the stage at the 2nd annual McDowell Mountain Music Festival in Scottsdale. No doubt, his performance will showcase his dynamic musical stylings that envelopes genres that include jazz, bluegrass, rock and funk. His evolutionary sound is hard to define, and he prides himself on keeping things different.
"Some people make the same record every time out," he says. "That's boring; there's no challenge to that. What's the point?"
The appreciation for change and free-spiritedness is something that made Hornsby a natural choice as joint keyboardist for the Grateful Dead following the death of Brent Mydland in 1990.
As a short-term member of the legendary jam band, Hornsby enjoyed the freedom to branch out musically to an audience that would endearingly shout "Bruuuce" every time he took the microphone. It was a time in his career Hornsby will always regard highly.
"I loved my time with [the Dead] and I wouldn't trade it in for anything," he says. "Everyone talks about their improv or jamming, but it was the song-writing that got me. I loved their songs."
Hornsby continues to maintain the fanatical fan base that he enjoyed with the Dead, due in large part to his interaction with his audience at shows.
Often times, Hornsby allows audience members to dance on stage during a concert and employs a unique, charismatic dialogue throughout the show. This is rare for many performers who have reached Hornsby's level; he doesn't think that should be the case.
"Some guys out there don't acknowledge their fans, that's poser bullshit," he says. "I'm just an old guy who loves to talk shit and have fun."
In addition to a significant touring schedule, more Hornsby studio offerings are in the works. Currently, he is working on a bluegrass album with Ricky Skaggs and has a box set that is to be released later in the year. He will also co-headline summer shows with Ratdog -- headed by Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead.
Reach the reporter at vic.vela@asu.edu.
