Bruce Hornsby’s hits definitely evoke a sort of hokey early alt-country fused with pop music. And yet, he remained in loyal to his hardcore fans. Over the course of roughly 18 albums in various incarnations of bands he’s fronted too. So respected was he, across the musical spectrum, he even played 100 shows with the Grateful Dead. Songs like “Mandolin Rain” definitely come off cheesy, but multi-layered. One cannot ignore the musicality as well as his influence upon today’s popular music.
For instance alt-country icon Ryan Adams (above) to The War on Drugs are undoubtedly outright or even closet fans to be sure. It’s a great tune for a summer evening — or a late spring one, thanks climate change.