BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A singer whose evocative pop-piano songs more than 35 years ago made listeners question the way it is and feel the mandolin rain will perform at Musikfest Cafe at ArtsQuest Center, it was announced Tuesday.
Bruce Hornsby, best known for his hits chart-topping hits "The Way It Is," "Mandolin Rain" and "The Valley Road" in 1986-87, will perform at 7 p.m. July 2.
Tickets, at $59 to $85, go on sale to ArtsQuest members at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 6, and to the general public at 10 a.m. March 8 at SteelStacks.org.ArtsQuest release
Tickets, at $59 to $85, go on sale to ArtsQuest members at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 6, and to the general public at 10 a.m. March 8 at SteelStacks.org.
The show, with Hornsby's backing band The Noisemakers, will be part of a tour to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Hornsby's 1998 album "Spirit Trail."
Hornsby recently released an expanded anniversary edition of the disc that added 14 new songs to the original double album.
Hornsby first hit the charts with his 1986 Grammy-winning, triple-platinum debut album, "The Way It Is," with his then-band The Range.
The title track became the most-played song on American radio in 1987, and the disc produced two more Adult Contemporary chart single hits: "Mandolin Rain," also a No. 1, and the No. 3 "Every Little Kiss."
Hornsby won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1987.
More hits, awards, collaborations
Hornsby's sophomore album, 1988's platinum "Scenes from the Southside," sold platinum and peaked at No. 5. It produced the No. 1 hit "The Valley Road" and the Top 5 hit "Look Out Any Window."
Hornsby's third album, 1990's gold "A Night on the Town," had another No. 1 hit with "Across The River" and Top 5 "A Night on the Town."
In 1991 Hornsby collaborated with Bonnie Raitt, playing on her iconic hit “I Can’t Make You Love Me.”
He has released 10 albums since, most recently 2022's "'Flicted."
Hornsby also was a part-time member of the Grateful Dead from September 1990 to March 1992, performing more than 100 concerts in America and Europe.
In all, Hornsby has been nominated for 13 Grammy Awards and won three: He also won for Best Bluegrass Recording in 1990 and Best Pop Instrumental Performance in 1994.
Hornsby also is a frequent collaborator and has appeared on more than 100 records by artists including Bob Dylan, Don Henley, the Grateful Dead, Stevie Nicks, and Willie Nelson.
