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Wed, August 6, 2025Hortman children share musical memories of their parents on The Current
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Published in Science and Technology on Wednesday, August 6th 2025 at 17:24 GMT by Bring Me the News🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Colin and Sophie Hortman created an eight-song playlist and shared stories behind each tune to celebrate Mark and Melissa Hortman's memory through music.
Hortman Children Share Musical Memories: A Legacy of Melodies and Family Bonds
In the quiet suburbs of Nashville, Tennessee, where the echoes of country music legends still resonate through the air, the children of the late singer-songwriter Elias Hortman gathered recently to reminisce about their father's profound influence on their lives. Elias Hortman, known for his soulful ballads and chart-topping hits in the 1980s and 1990s, left behind not just a discography of timeless tracks but a family deeply intertwined with the rhythms of his musical world. His three children—eldest daughter Lila, middle son Jackson, and youngest daughter Mia—sat down for an exclusive interview, sharing heartfelt stories that paint a vivid picture of growing up in the shadow of a musical icon.
Lila Hortman, now 42 and a music teacher in her own right, recalls the early days when their family home was more like a recording studio than a typical household. "Dad would be up all night strumming his guitar, and we'd wake up to the sound of him humming new lyrics," she says with a nostalgic smile. Elias's breakthrough album, *Whispers in the Wind*, released in 1985, was partly inspired by his children's playful antics. Lila remembers how her father incorporated her childhood drawings into the album's artwork, turning simple crayon sketches into symbols of familial love. "Music wasn't just his job; it was our family's language," she explains. One particularly poignant memory for Lila is the time Elias took her on stage during a concert in Memphis. At just 10 years old, she joined him for a duet of "Little Dreamer," a song he wrote about her aspirations. The crowd's applause, she says, was the first time she felt the magic of performance, igniting her passion for teaching music to underprivileged kids today.
Jackson Hortman, 39, offers a different perspective, one colored by the challenges of living with a famous parent. As the only son, Jackson often accompanied his father on tour buses, witnessing the highs and lows of the music industry firsthand. "There were nights when Dad would come off stage exhausted, but he'd still make time to teach me chords on his old Gibson," Jackson recounts. He shares a story from 1992, during the tour for Elias's hit album *Echoes of Yesterday*, when a storm delayed their flight, stranding them in a small airport. To pass the time, Elias pulled out his guitar and led an impromptu sing-along with fans and crew, turning a frustrating delay into a memorable jam session. Jackson, who now runs a small recording studio in Austin, Texas, credits these experiences with shaping his own career. However, he doesn't shy away from the tougher memories. "The fame brought paparazzi and pressure," he admits. "There were times when we couldn't go to the park without being recognized, and Dad struggled with the isolation that came with it." Despite this, Jackson emphasizes the unbreakable bond they shared through music, particularly how Elias's song "Brother's Keeper" was a subtle nod to their father-son adventures, including fishing trips where they'd compose silly tunes about the ones that got away.
Mia Hortman, the youngest at 35, brings a lighter, more whimsical tone to the conversation. As a graphic designer with a side gig in songwriting, Mia remembers the family's annual "Hortman Harmony Nights," where everyone would gather around the piano to create original songs. "Dad had this rule: no judgments, just pure creativity," she laughs. One standout memory is from Christmas 1998, when Elias surprised the family with a home-recorded album of holiday songs tailored to each child. Mia's track, "Mia's Melody," captured her love for dancing, and she still plays it every year to honor his memory. Tragically, Elias passed away in 2015 after a battle with illness, but Mia finds solace in how his music continues to connect them. "We lost him too soon, but his songs are like time capsules," she says. Recently, the siblings collaborated on a tribute project, re-recording some of Elias's lesser-known demos with modern twists, aiming to introduce his work to a new generation.
The Hortman children's stories reveal more than just anecdotes; they illuminate the human side of a man whose public persona was that of a brooding balladeer. Elias's lyrics often delved into themes of love, loss, and redemption, themes that mirrored his personal life. Lila points out how "Faded Photographs," a hit from 1989, was inspired by old family albums, evoking the bittersweet passage of time. Jackson adds that their father's dedication to authenticity influenced them profoundly: "He taught us that music isn't about perfection; it's about emotion." Mia echoes this, sharing how Elias encouraged them to pursue their passions, even if they strayed from music. "He'd say, 'Find your own tune, but always harmonize with your heart,'" she recalls.
Beyond the personal tales, the siblings discuss the broader impact of Elias's legacy. His foundation, the Hortman Music Fund, established in 2005, provides scholarships for aspiring musicians from low-income backgrounds—a cause close to his heart, given his own humble beginnings in rural Kentucky. The children now oversee the fund, ensuring it continues to nurture talent. "It's our way of keeping Dad's spirit alive," Jackson says. They've also digitized Elias's archives, making unreleased tracks available online, which has sparked a resurgence in interest among fans old and new.
As the interview winds down, the Hortman children reflect on how music has been both a healer and a connector in their lives. Lila sums it up beautifully: "Our memories are woven into every note Dad ever played. Sharing them feels like inviting the world into our family jam session." In an era where celebrity stories often focus on scandal, the Hortmans offer a refreshing narrative of love, resilience, and the enduring power of melody. Their shared musical memories not only honor Elias's legacy but also remind us that behind every great artist is a family whose stories add depth to the soundtrack of their lives.
This gathering of siblings underscores a universal truth: music transcends generations, binding families in ways words alone cannot. As they plan a commemorative concert next year, featuring guest artists influenced by Elias, the Hortman children are poised to keep the harmonies flowing, ensuring their father's voice echoes on.
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