Derrick Hornyan

Name:  Derrick Hornyan

Contribution:  Photographer

City:  Centennial CO

Bio:  Born and raised in Illinois, I made the move to Telluride, CO in 1997. I spent 7 years there until moving to Denver in ’04. I made a short move back to Illinois in ’07 and made my way back to Denver in February of 2010. I have worked in restaurants for nearly 25 years, and got completely burned out on the business. When I moved back here, I decided it was time for a career change. I’ve always enjoyed photography as a hobby, and my wife encouraged me to pursue it seriously. I took the opportunity to open my own photography business, D-ROCK IMAGING, in August of 2010 and have been working non-stop to get my name and work “out there”. Fast forward to May of 2011, and a chance encounter with Keith Schneider, I am now a staff photographer CMB! It’s been a great opportunity to really experience the insides of the music business, and to shoot some great national, and local, bands! 2011 has been a great year, and I look forward to even bigger and better things in 2012!!!

Favorite local artists:   Take To The Oars, Public Display of Aggression, Sun of Revolution, Kelli Said, Michael Kotik

Greatest accomplishment to date:  In my short time as a photographer for CMB, there are quite a few things I am proud to have done. Shooting Sublime @ Red Rocks, being one of the only two media outlets in Denver to cover Peter Framton’s “35 Comes Alive” tour, shooting Willie Nelson in Telluride during the 18th Annual Blues & Brews Festival, my interview with Co-founder/drummer of The Guess Who, Garry Peterson, and the subsequent concert shoot of The Guess Who were all great moments for me, but I have to say that my personally, my greatest accomplishment so far is having the honor of shooting one of my all time favorites, ANTHRAX!

Favorite styles of music:  I listen to just about everything from Pink Floyd to Concrete Blonde, metal to classical, but my favorite “style” would have to be 80′s thrash. Testament, ANTHRAX, OVERKILL type of stuff.

Favorite local venues:  As a typical fan just to see live music, I like almost all the venues in town (save a couple I won’t mention). As a photographer shooting shows, I’m a bit more picky. I hate not having a photo pit, but the Gothic and Bluebird are great places to shoot. Casselman’s has some phenomenal lighting as well, and produces some great photos as a result. But my Favorite has to be Summit Music Hall. Great photo pit, the staff is awesome, and the backstage area can’t be beat!

Best album of all time:  Man, it’s kind of a rotating thing for me. I believe the last great “rock & roll” album ever made was G n’ R’s “Appetite For Destruction”, but for me right now, the BEST album of all time has to be David Gilmour’s 2008 release, “Live In Gdansk”. I listen to that album constantly.

DHornyan@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com