It’s always been that way with Hormel – he somehow has a sixth sense for what’s technologically next on the horizon. In the 1970s it was his interest in the products of Fairlight that brought that now ubiquitous name to America. Conversations Hormel had with fellow musical visionary Herbie Hancock had conjured up their idea of the perfect keyboard – one that could sample and use a computer. When Hormel read a Fairlight brochure, he knew he’d found that keyboard, and became the first U.S. dealer. Although for a while he found himself with a house full of unsold keyboards, today, of course, Fairlight technology has gone on to become a standard in the audio industry.

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Hormel’s eclectic combination of technological and creative interests has always been reflected in the atmosphere of the studio that he owns. He created a comfortable, state-of-the-art place where musicians could do their thing, then he went away; he never intruded on their sessions. Personally, however, he’s been a friend to many of the clients who have worked at the facility, including Robbie Robertson and Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, both of whom have maintained private studio/offices at The Village for many years. “Geordie has been tremendously supportive over the years,” Robertson.

Although now retired, Hormel continues to keep up with developments in entertainment technology and to apply his unique blend of pragmatism and futurist thinking to current issues. A recent phone conversation found him musing on the urgent necessity for standards and simplicity in the home computer delivery process for audio and video. “It’s something that manufacturers should be seriously concentrating on right now,” he says. “There has to be a standard like MIDI, because there are going to be so many options for the consumer. They’ll have so many choices that they must have simple, standardized and dedicated controls. The ease of operation is what’s going to make the process successful.”n has said. “He’s a great guy for coming to the rescue.”