Despite my aversion to popular music, I’ve always had a soft spot for Bruce Hornsby. He’s a likeable guy who has proven to be no one-hit wonder. More importantly, the multiple Grammy-Award winning Williamsburg native never stops playing long enough to be pigeonholed. Since his commercial breakthrough in 1986 with the single, “The Way It Is,” the keyboardist, singer and songwriter has played with an impressive list of music luminaries, including the Grateful Dead, Ricky Skaggs, Bob Dylan, Crosby Stills and Nash, Stevie Nicks and Squeeze while maintaining a solo career defined by his need to try new things. A gracious player of rare skill, depth and range, Hornsby brings his genre-blending band of likeminded co-conspirators in the Noisemakers to the National for a performance Tuesday, Aug. 18. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $35-$40. thenationalva.com.