A quest for freedom of expression

Bruce Hornsby talks with the Sentinel.

Bruce Hornsby

Bruce Hornsby has toured internationally, sold 9,000,000 albums, played on over 100 records, and written and recorded several hit songs, including "The Way It Is" and "Fields of Gray." He releases his seventh album, a live concert recording, this fall.

I grew up as a Christian Scientist and joined the church at age 13. When I was about 18 or 19, I stopped studying Christian Science for many years, although the ideas I'd found there remained a part of my thought process. Every once in a great while I would go to church, sometimes to please my mom, sometimes to see if I could make my dad laugh as we sat in the back row.

In 1985 I was signed to RCA Records as a recording artist, and our group became successful—broke through almost right away on our first record.

I've been with RCA for 15 years now and am set to release my seventh record. Having national and international success in the music field has involved a very intense process of self-discovery—a series of crucible-like scenarios where one asks oneself questions: "I've been thrust into this situation, so how will I do with this? I'm going on "David Letterman," so how will I handle playing live in front of 10,000,000 people? Or on "Saturday Night Live" for 50,000,000? I'm talking live on the air on the biggest radio station in New York. Will I be nervous or relaxed? Am I good at this? Can I make it through this grueling tour schedule physically, without breaking down? Will I feel free and in full control mentally, physically, vocally, pianistically, etc., etc.?"

My answers to those questions were too often negative.

So I found myself gradually needing help dealing with my perceived inadequacies in these (and other) areas. As I got more and more serious and went deeper in my musical pursuits, I returned to my faith, searching to reach a corresponding depth on a spiritual level—one where I could overcome any mental or physical obstacles that could get in the way of strong, spontaneous, free musical expression.

My rediscovery of the truths taught in the Bible and explained further in Science and Health, as well as my return to spiritual study in general have absolutely helped me find this freedom of expression. And I've been very grateful for that.

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