Bruce Hornsby band timeline – 1974 onwards

By request… details of Bruce Hornsby band members’ comings and goings over the years. Any corrections, please let me know.

brucehornsby2_ps 1974 – Bruce is part of the Octane Kids with brother Bobby, primarily a Grateful Dead tribute band based in Virginia.

1985 – the Range forms, comprising:

Bruce Hornsby
John Molo (drums)
George Marinelli (guitar)
David Mansfield (guitar, mandolin, violin)
Joe Puerta (bass)

1987 – David Mansfield leaves, to be replaced by Peter Harris, another bass and mandolin player. David would return to guest on “Night on the Town” and “Spirit Trail”.

1990 – Peter Harris leaves, with the Range remaining as four. By this time, though, Shaun Murphy (now of Little Feat) and Laura Creamer were providing background vocals. The band is joined by a second keyboard player – John “J.T.” Thomas, former keyboard technician for Don Henley!

1991 – the Range disbands, with their last recorded work featuring on two tribute albums – “Two Rooms” for Elton John, and “Deadicated” for the Grateful Dead.

1993 – Bruce’s first album without the Range is “Harbor Lights”, although still featuring John Molo throughout. Bass player Jimmy Haslip hooks up for the same record, and for a tour across North America and Europe. Laura Creamer is still around to provide backing vocals, to be joined for the first time by Debbie Henry. This was the last year for Laura Creamer, who has since gone on to back up Kid Rock! John D’earth plays trumpet for the first time, as does Bobby Read on various horns!

1994 – bass player JV Collier signs on, with Bruce’s band taking shape as:

Bruce Hornsby
John Molo (drums)
JV Collier and Jimmy Haslip (sharing the bass)
John D’earth (trumpet)
Bobby Read (horns)
Debbie Henry (backing vocals)
J.T. Thomas

There is no full-time guitarist in the band at this time, although Jerry Garcia and Pat Metheny sit in for the previous and upcoming record..

1995 – “Hot House” is released. This proves to be the last time Jimmy Haslip, and of course Jerry Garcia, would record with Bruce – in fact, it was Garcia’s last recorded work before his death.

1996 – so we now have:

Bruce Hornsby
John Molo (drums)
JV Collier (bass)
John D’earth (horns)
Bobby Read (saxophone)
JT Thomas (keyboard)
Debbie Henry (background vocals)

1998 – Bruce’s full-time guitar player emerges – Doug Derryberry. After twenty years of playing with Bruce, John Molo departs, to be replaced briefly by Land Richards, and then Michael Baker. Debbie Henry and John D’earth both finish their run with the band

1999 – on the very last day of the millenium, Bonny Raphael Bonaparte takes the drums to play the Millennium Bash in Williamsburg, VA. He replaces Michael Baker, who moves on to work with Whitney Houston. One-time Octane Kids Bobby and Ann Hornsby share the same stage that night. Bruce’s band remains a constant for the next few years:

Bruce Hornsby
Bonny Bonaparte (drums)
JV Collier (bass)
Doug Derryberry (guitar)
Bobby Read (saxophone)
JT Thomas (keyboard)

2000-2 – R.S. Hornsby (Bruce’s nephew) and Steve Kimock sit in with the band for some extensive touring over this period. R.S. became a regular guest and highlight through until 2008.

2002 – Big Swing Face is released, marking a big departure from Bruce’s piano-based trademark playing. Bonny Bonaparte leaves the band midway through recording, and is replaced by the temporary return of Michael Baker. Long term, though, the replacement is Earth, Wind and Fire drummer Sonny Emory.

2003 to present day – Bruce’s current band, which should remain in tact for the 2009 summer tour, comprises:

Bruce Hornsby
Sonny Emory (drums)
JV Collier (bass)
Doug Derryberry (guitar)
Bobby Read (saxophone)
JT Thomas (keyboard)

2007-8 – Bruce plays extensively with Ricky Skaggs and his band Kentucky Thunder, whilst also forming the Bruce Hornsby trio with Christian McBride and Jack Dejohnette.

2009 – R.S. Hornsby tragically passes in an automobile accident in Charlottesville, VA, aged just 28.

2014 – Gibb Droll, from Virginia, and Ross Holmes of Mumford and Sons join the band; Bobby and Doug depart. The Noisemakers are now:
Bruce Hornsby
Sonny Emory (drums)
JV Collier (bass)
Gibb Droll (guitar)
Ross Holmes (mandolin, fiddle)
JT Thomas (keyboard)

2018 – Ross Holmes takes a place within the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and leaves a recommendation behind – John Mailander on fiddle and mandolin. Similarly, Chad Wright takes the drums with the backing of J.V. Collier.  

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