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Hornsby To Play At Hard Rock

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By SARAH HOYE

shoye@tampatrib.com

Published: December 30, 2008

TAMPA - The last time musician Bruce Hornsby was in Tampa, a random concertgoer went up on stage and played the piano. Well, he banged incessantly and had to be removed.

Those who missed that show at Ruth Eckerd Hall can watch Hornsby play alongside his band the Noisemakers today at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

Hornsby & Co. will serenade the audience at the Hard Rock ballroom for one night only.

Don't expect the man most known by mainstream audiences for his breakout album, "The Way It Is," to play only his old standards.

"It's performing a musical prism; it's what audiences respect and want," Hornsby said in a phone interview. "You don't have to always play the hits."

Hornsby has been reinventing himself since "The Way It Is" became the most played song on the radio in 1987. He has released three albums in the past two years, played bluegrass sets and recently finished an original score for an upcoming Spike Lee film about Kobe Bryant. (Hornsby has also played end-title songs for Spike Lee films "Clockers" and "Bamboozled.")

"I came out and my record went a long way. Writing songs for the radio isn't what I wanted to do," he said. "I'm an old-school musician and a lifelong student. My first hits had a lot of piano solos, and that was atypical. It just remained and is a very natural path for me."

His success has allowed him the chance to play on more than 100 records, including albums by Bob Dylan, Stevie Nicks and the Grateful Dead - he was a part-time Dead member from 1990 to 1992.

"Most people who haven't seen me in years will say, 'I had no idea.' It's going to be different," he said, adding that he has a cameo appearance in a new Robin Williams film. "It just never ends. It's a broad spectrum stylistically."

Hornsby said he will include classics in his performance in Tampa, and he might even take requests.

"We always like playing Tampa," he said and laughed. "Other than that guy who started banging on the piano, we welcome everyone."

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers

WHEN: 8 p.m. today

WHERE: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 5223 N. Orient Road, Tampa

TICKETS: $60; Call (813) 627-7625

Reporter Sarah Hoye can be reached at (813) 259-7832.

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