Bringing variety to Southeast Missouri

Steve Hornbeak is helping young talent showcase their skills with a First Friday Music Variety Show

Steve Hornbeak, a native of Southern Illinois, always knew he wanted music to be his career. What he couldn't have known is where it would take him -- all over the world touring with Lee Greenwood, Faith Hill and Richard Marx, among others.

Though he still tours with Marx, playing about 40 shows a year, Hornbeak has returned to his Southern Illinois roots, opening a studio in Anna, Ill., and helping young, local talent pursue their own music dreams.

At Hornbeak's high-end studio, 326 Productions, he brings in musicians from Nashville to record with local singers. He also has established showcases for the talent he works with. He started in 2012 with the Shawnee Hills Music Jamboree, playing six shows in Anna over the course of the year. Now, he's bringing his talent across with the river with a First Friday Variety Show at The Venue in Cape Girardeau.

Hornbeak, along with his Main Street Players, will perform a variety of musical styles, and each month will feature two different special guests from Southeast Missouri. For tonight's show, the special guests are Mary Bauer and Sylvia Kern.

Here, Hornbeak talks about his career and the variety show:

SE Live: When did you know you wanted to make music your career?

Hornbeak: I've been in a band since I was 15. I've always been playing music. Luckily, since I was 19, I've been doing it full time. I've always known music is what I wanted to do, even as a kid singing in school specials and church. I'm very thankful.

SE Live: Do you remember the first time you performed in public? Can you tell me about it?

Hornbeak: The first time would have been in church. I was always nervous to sing in church in front of my peers and people that have known you your whole life. It's been so long ago. The first gig I played in Cape was with Mike Smith and the Runaways at the old Elks Lodge. I was 16 years old and they were a huge local band. I was nervous. I was very young and they were established. I was just hoping they would like me.

SE Live: When you were 24 you went on tour with Lee Greenwood. How did that come about?

Hornbeak: I moved to Florida when I was 20 years old. I was playing with a band in the club scene full time. Lee was staying in the hotel where I did lounge show. I always sang a few of his songs; he was very big at the time. I found out what room he was staying in and slipped a note and tape under his door inviting him to the lounge. I didn't know he was looking for a keyboard player. He came in and I sang one of his songs. Halfway through, he jumped up on stage and sang with me. ... When he went back to Nashville, he called the hotel and got my information. He called me and invited me to audition. I didn't believe it; I thought it was a joke. But I went to Nashville and auditioned. He told me he saw a younger version of himself: We both played piano and saxophone, both sang high harmony. He hired me based on that.

I was with him for six years, then got off the road for a couple years for personal reasons. When I was ready to get back to Nashville, a new thing came up, a young artist named Faith Hill. They needed a keyboard player who could arrange vocals. I got the job and sang backup on a lot of her early records. No one knew her. ... I was with her for 10 years. The last tour I was on was the Soul 2 Soul tour; it was the top of her career. I got to watch someone grow from nothing to superstar. When Faith quit touring, I ended up with Richard Marx. We do about 40 shows a year, mostly international dates. It's just Richard, me and an orchestra.

SE Live: Tell me about the First Friday Music Variety Show at The Venue. How did that come about?

Hornbeak: When I moved up here, I opened my studio in Anna, helping out young talent. Then I started showcasing some local artists. I put together a band to give local artists a chance to really perform with a band. I really did some scouting to find what I think are the best players in the area. I'm used to playing with Faith and Richard, playing with really polished Nashville players. This band is just as good as anyone I've played with.

We're doing [music from the] '50s, '60s, '70s and '80s. We've got an hour set of new and old country. If you don't like one style, just wait cause we do different things.

We're going to feature four different performers. Month to month, we're going to have different [special guests]. I'm looking for artists. It's going to be a lot of work to change month to month. But we're always going to have new material. And it's always the same band. It's not like seeing bar band just jamming out. It's very polished.

I wanted to bring something like the Grand Ole Opry, [like] Branson, but with more concert vibe. It's going to flow quickly. It's a two-hour show with intermission.

Hornbeak, a Southern Illinois native, has toured with the likes of Faith Hill, Richard Marx and Lee Greenwood.