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Hanson (band)
Hanson (band)
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Hanson is an American pop rock band from Tulsa, Oklahoma, formed by brothers Isaac Hanson (guitar, vocals, bass, piano), Taylor Hanson (keyboards, vocals, percussion), and Zac Hanson (drums, vocals, piano). Supporting members include Dimitrius Collins (guitar, additional keyboard) and Andrew Perusi (bass), who have toured and performed live with the band since 2007.

Key Information

Hanson is best known for the 1997 hit song "MMMBop" from their debut album released through Mercury/Polygram Records, entitled Middle of Nowhere, which earned three Grammy nominations. At the time of the music video, the boys were 16, 14, and 11 years old. The group's label Mercury Records was merged with its sister labels and the band were moved to Island Def Jam Music Group. After releasing one album with them, the band left the label.

Hanson has sold over 16 million records worldwide and have had three top 20 albums in the United States. They have had three top 20 US Hot 100 singles and eight UK top 40 singles. The band now records under their own label 3CG Records.[3]

History

[edit]

1992–1996: Early years

[edit]

In the early to mid-1990s, Isaac, Taylor, and Zac sang a cappella and recorded such classic songs as "Rockin' Robin", "Splish Splash", and "Johnny B. Goode", as well as their own material. Their first performance as a professional group took place in 1992 at the Mayfest Arts Festival in Tulsa.[4] They were known as the Hanson Brothers, before shortening the name to Hanson in 1993.[5]

Hanson also appeared on Carman's Yo! Kidz: The Vidz, which cast Taylor as a young Biblical David facing Goliath, Isaac as an event announcer, and Zac and other members of the family in the stands cheering on this "sporting event".[6]

All three boys started their musical careers as pianists, but Isaac eventually started playing guitar and Zac started playing drums, while Taylor continued as the keyboard player. The band recorded two independent albums in their hometown of Tulsa, Boomerang (recorded in autumn 1994, released in 1995) and MMMBop (released in 1996). The latter featured the original version of the song "MMMBop", which later became the runaway single on their debut commercial record Middle of Nowhere. The band played in Austin during the South By Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas, which led to them being signed by manager Christopher Sabec.[4] He shopped them to several record companies, most of which dismissed the band as a novelty before Steve Greenberg, an A&R representative for Mercury Records, heard them play a set at the Wisconsin State Fair. After this performance, they were signed almost immediately by Mercury. They soon became a worldwide sensation with the release of their first major-label album, Middle of Nowhere, which was produced by Stephen Lironi and the Dust Brothers.

1997–2000: Commercial success

[edit]
Taylor in concert in Madrid, 2000

Middle of Nowhere was released in the US on May 6, 1997, selling 10 million copies worldwide. May 6 was declared 'Hanson Day' in Tulsa by Oklahoma's then-governor Frank Keating.[7] Although 'Hanson Day' was originally intended to be a one-time occurrence, the band celebrates it each year with a party for fans in Tulsa.[8]

Hanson's popularity exploded during the summer of 1997, and Mercury Records released Hanson's first documentary Tulsa, Tokyo, and the Middle of Nowhere and their Christmas album Snowed In in the wake of their success. Hanson also launched MOE (which stood for Middle of Everywhere), a fan club magazine that ran for 12 issues.[9] After numerous unauthorized biographies of each of the brothers were published, Hanson turned to their close friend, Jarrod Gollihare of Admiral Twin, to write their authorized biography. Hanson: The Official Book reached number 9 on the New York Times Best Sellers List (nonfiction) on February 1, 1998.[10] The band was nominated for three Grammy Awards in 1998: Record of the Year, Best New Artist, and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.[11]

During the summer of 1998, Hanson began a highly successful concert tour, the Albertane Tour. They performed a string of shows throughout stadiums and arenas across North America and Europe, targeting young audiences with a playful and energetic style. A live album, titled Live From Albertane, was released the following fall, as well as their second documentary The Road to Albertane.[12]

In response to the demand for their earlier work, Hanson re-released MMMBop as 3 Car Garage, minus four tracks, in May 1998. Three tracks from Boomerang ("Boomerang", "More Than Anything", and "Rain (Falling Down)") and two of the remaining tracks from MMMBop ("Incredible" and "Baby (You're So Fine)") were released on the first MOE CD sent to fan club members.

During the Albertane Tour, Hanson wrote and demoed what became the songs for their second major studio album, This Time Around. During this time period, Mercury Records, the band's label, had been merged with Island Def Jam. In May 2000, Hanson released their second album, This Time Around, but due to lack of promotional funding, sales were low and the label eventually pulled funding for their tour. The band toured the Americas through the summer and fall of 2000 on their own funds.[13]

2001–2005: Independent career

[edit]

After a three-year struggle, the brothers left Island Def Jam Records to seek more creative freedom. Label executives had refused over 80 songs from the band, believing new material lacked marketability.[13] The documentary film Strong Enough to Break follows these events.

Hanson now records for their own independent label, 3CG Records.[14] The label has distribution deals through Alternative Distribution Alliance in the United States, Cooking Vinyl in Europe, Sony Music in Asia and with various other distributors throughout the world.[15] During the dispute with their former label, Hanson signed with the management company, 10th Street Entertainment, which also manages artists such as Blondie.[16]

The band's Underneath Acoustic tour took place during the Summer and Fall of 2003 across the US, with one show in Canada and one in the UK. Music included acoustic versions of songs from the then-forthcoming release, Underneath. The tour ended November 5, 2003 with a performance at Carnegie Hall.[17]

Released on April 20, 2004, Underneath sold 37,500 copies in the first week of release in the US alone. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Independent Albums chart[18] and No. 25 on the Billboard 200 album chart,[19] making Underneath one of the most successful self-released albums of all time.[20] Hanson's The Underneath Tour took them across the globe for nearly a full year (July - December 2004; March - June 2005).

In autumn 2005, Hanson toured in the US and Canada to support The Best of Hanson: Live & Electric. They also visited colleges to showcase Strong Enough to Break, the documentary chronicling difficulties with and departure from Island Def Jam. During college visits, the band held question-and-answer sessions about independent artists' role in the music industry.[21]

2006–2008: The Walk and tenth anniversary

[edit]
Hanson and fans
Hanson leading fans as part of their "Take the Walk" initiative in 2008.

On January 15, 2007, Hanson released on iTunes the first episode of their documentary podcast "Taking the Walk", detailing production of the studio album. The first episode of the band's documentary Strong Enough to Break was also released on iTunes. The program is edited into 13 episodes for release as a podcast.[22]

In March 2007, Hanson began a "preview tour" to promote The Walk and give fans a taste of recent work. Over six days, Hanson performed at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey, Toad's Place in New Haven, Connecticut, The Crocodile Rock in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and The Supper Club in New York City. On March 30, Taylor and Zac appeared in Dallas, TX to screen their documentary at the AFI Film Festival. Afterward, the brothers held a Q&A session along with director Ashley Greyson. Hanson performed in the UK during April 2007, playing songs from The Walk. They also promoted the release of the single "Go" and the UK release of the album.

The Walk, Hanson's second studio album with 3CG Records, was released in the US, Mexico and Canada on July 24. It was released in Japan on February 21 and in the UK on April 30.[23] As part of this album's tour and promo, the band hosted "Take the Walk" events where fans were encouraged to walk one mile to raise money and awareness of AIDS/HIV in Africa. The band partnered with Tom's Shoes to give shoes to children in Africa.[24]

In support of The Walk album, the band toured extensively throughout 2007-2008, predominantly in the US, with some shows in Canada, the UK, and Ireland. The tours were called The Walk Tour, and The Walk Around the World Tour.[25]

On May 6, 2007, the 10th anniversary of Hanson Day, the band re-recorded their first major label album, Middle Of Nowhere, at The Blank Slate bar in their hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The band invited fan club members to attend, causing hundreds to fly to Oklahoma for the acoustic event. The record Middle of Nowhere Acoustic was released at the end of that year, exclusively on Hanson.net. The record included all but three songs of those originally in Middle of Nowhere ("Speechless", "Thinking of You" and "With You in Your Dreams") and featured the song Yearbook, never performed live before.

2009–2012: Shout It Out

[edit]

In June 2009, Hanson completed the album Shout It Out and planned to release it on June 8, 2010. The band also announced that they would be co-headlining a tour with Hellogoodbye. The tour, called Use Your Sole, started in Hanson's hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma, on September 30, 2009 and finished November 11, 2009 in Anaheim, California.

Zac Hanson playing in Sydney, Australia during the Shout It Out tour.

Hanson also released a five-song EP titled Stand Up, Stand Up that was available at shows and on the band's official website. The tracks are acoustic versions of four new Hanson songs, plus the album version of "World's on Fire" which was originally going to be on their album Shout It Out but was ultimately left off the album.[26] It was released worldwide on iTunes on December 8, 2009.

In December 2009, Hanson announced they would play five consecutive concerts at New York's Gramercy Theater. Each concert featured one of the band's four previous albums in its entirety, and the premiere of their upcoming Spring 2010 release. Dubbed 'Five of Five', the engagement began with a performance of Hanson's major label debut, Middle of Nowhere, on April 26, 2010 and then moved onto 2000's This Time Around on April 27, 2004's Underneath followed on April 28 with 2007's The Walk on April 29. On April 30, the band unveiled their new album, Shout It Out. The concert series was also streamed live on band's official website, Hanson.net, and included an exclusive "Backstage Pass" stream for fan club members. On March 6, 2010, Hanson shot dance and other sequences for their upcoming music video of their new single, "Thinking 'Bout Somethin'", at Greenwood Avenue in Tulsa. Hanson recruited professional dancers for the shoot and also invited fans and local residents to take part in the video, which is an homage to the Blues Brothers.[27] The video was directed by Todd Edwards, co-founder of Blue Yonder Films.[28][29] It was released for public viewing on their MySpace channel on April 15, 2010. "Weird Al" Yankovic has a cameo appearance as the tambourine player.

On June 8, 2010, Hanson's fifth studio record was released. Shout It Out debuted at number 30 on the Billboard 200, number 2 on the Indie chart, and No. 16 on the digital chart. On June 15, 2010, the band's free concert at the South Street Seaport in New York City rather incongruously ended in a riot after an estimated 20,000 fans showed up at a venue which could only accommodate half that many people. The rapper Drake was also on the bill.[30] Hanson offered a "platinum package" of their Shout it Out record which included artwork hand-painted by band member Zac Hanson. In October 2010, Hanson released "The 113 Painting Book" which includes the paintings created for these packages. To promote their new album, Shout It Out, Hanson toured from July 2010 through November 2010. The tour kicked off in Buffalo, New York on July 21, with the final show in Toronto, on November 23. Throughout the tour, the band broadcast live streams from their website. The footage included introducing the local musician winners of their opening band contest, a few full length concerts, and walks with fans to fight AIDS and poverty in Africa for their Take the Walk Campaign.[31] One of the most notable concerts included two days in November at Walt Disney World Resort's Food and Wine Festival for the Eat to the Beat concert series.

The band released a second single from Shout It Out in 2011. "Give a Little" reached Top 40 on the US Hot AC charts, making it the first top 40 hit for the band since their 2000 single "If Only". The band resumed their touring activity in September 2011. The US Musical Ride Tour lasted from September 4 to November 1. Starting on November 6 in São Paulo, Brazil, they proceeded to tour Latin America and Europe in order to promote their Shout It Out album internationally. In early 2012, they toured Canada with Carly Rae Jepsen. Later in 2012, they took the Shout It Out world Tour to Philippines and Australia as well.

Hanson performing in Australia at the Melbourne Zoo Twilight Concert in March 2019

2013–2020: Anthem, Finally It's Christmas and String Theory

[edit]

Their sixth album Anthem was released on June 18, 2013. The album charted at number 22 on the US Billboard 200, making it their eighth album to reach the top 40 of the Billboard 200; the album also peaked at number 5 on the US Independent Albums chart. The first single is titled "Get the Girl Back", which was released on April 9, 2013.[32] The single charted at number 39 on the Billboard Adult Pop Songs.[citation needed]

On October 23, 2013, Hanson served as guest judges on the popular show Cupcake Wars. Four cupcake bakers fought to the finish for the chance at having their cupcakes at a concert and an after party with the band, and a $10,000 prize.[33]

On March 16, 2017, Hanson announced their 25th anniversary tour called "Middle of Everywhere: 25th Anniversary Tour" to celebrate the band's first signed album release.

Hanson released their second Christmas album, Finally It's Christmas, on October 27, 2017. They also performed a Finally It's Christmas special, which can be found on YouTube.[34] In 2018, they performed backing vocals on the title song for Mike Love's solo album Reason for the Season.[citation needed]

In July 2018, Hanson announced a symphonic tour and accompanying album, titled String Theory, inspired by their bucket list desire to play with a symphony orchestra at iconic venues such as the Sydney Opera House and the Greek Theatre.[35] The tour began in August 2018 and saw them touring the world performing with the backing of local symphony orchestras.[36] The album was released on November 9, 2018 with the symphonic composition recorded in Prague, led by Academy award winning arranger David Campbell.[37][38] Hanson performed their highlight shows at the Sydney Opera House in Australia over the two nights of March 4th and 5th 2019.[39][40] Their parents, Walker and Diana, flew to Australia to see their sons perform in the hallowed space.[41] Whilst in Australia, the band played some side gigs at The Melbourne Zoo without the orchestra backing.[42]

On September 13, 2019, Hanson announced their Wintry Mix tour in North America, featuring Paul McDonald and Joshua and the Holy Rollers, led by the youngest Hanson brother, Mac Hanson.[43][44]

During the Wintry Mix tour, Zac was injured in a motorcycle accident on October 2, 2019. Despite the incident, the tour continued, with Zac on percussions and former HAIM drummer Dash Hutton filling in for him.[45]

The band held a series of in-person concerts with accompanying livestreams in Tulsa from October 2020 to January 2021.[46] At each show, 180 in-person tickets were available, making up 10% of the usual capacity of the venue. The theme in October was Live & Electric Revisited", in November it was Perennial Live, in December The Christmas Ball, and in January Listener's Choice. Some fans took issue with the band holding these concerts during the COVID-19 pandemic.[47] During the series, the band also released Perennial, a compilation album with a selection of 20 songs previously only released to fan club members, plus the new song "Nothing Like a Love Song".[48]

2021: Against the World

[edit]

The seven-track album, Against the World was released officially in November 2021 after the band released a song a month with a corresponding video over the course of seven months in 2021.[49][50][51] The album was recorded at FAME studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.[49] The album's theme is about facing adversity in its many forms, and seeking a way forward.[50]

2022: Red Green Blue (RGB)

[edit]
Hanson performing on the RGB tour, August 3, 2022. The Danforth Music Hall in Toronto, Canada.

The album RGB (Red Green Blue) was released in 2022. Red Green Blue is a blend of a 5-song mini album crafted by each individual brother: RED for Taylor, GREEN for Isaac and BLUE for Zac.[52] Each brother produced their third of the album individually with the help of award-winning producers Jim Scott and David Garza, with two of the three band members, Zac and Taylor, writing all their songs, whereas Isaac wrote a couple of songs, covered a song of their younger brother Mac's band, and co-wrote the remaining songs.[53]

Each portion is unique to the individual brother, but doesn't stick to one genre.[53] Taylor Hanson's Red portion tends to lean more toward a rootsy Americana sound.[52] For Isaac's Green portion, there's more of an intimate and vintage sound. Zac's Blue has a more contemporary sound, mixing in pop, rock and alt-country.[52] The three released singles from the album. Taylor's "Child At Heart" depicts a series of inflicted wounds and tragedies as a metaphor for the pain of life and love. It sees Taylor getting punched and a glass of water thrown on him in the video clip.[54] Isaac's "Write You A Song" was written for his daughter, Odette who requested he write a song for her.[53][55] She features in the clip that was premiered on CMT.[55] Zac's song "Don't Let Me Down" features Frankie Muniz and a cast of others in the beefcake fun video.[56]

Hanson set out on a world tour from June to November 2022.[57]

The brothers were featured in the July 18, 2022, issue of People discussing their career thus far, family commitments, and being on the road.[58] The article also showcased photos of their individual family members.[58]

On May 26, 2023, English band Busted released a cover version of "MMMBop" in collaboration with Hanson, titled "MMMBop 2.0".[59][60][61]

Other projects and appearances

[edit]

Hanson pioneered many things in the early days of the internet. In 1997, they were one of the first major-label bands to have a website and an email address promoted in the sleeve of their album, Middle of Nowhere. By 1999 they had their own virtual world, Hanson World, and launched Hanson.net, a paid-membership fan portal that gave users exclusive content. The band started live-streaming and uploading videos to their website around this time, before YouTube existed. A phone hotline also existed to give fans a record message from the band with their latest news.[62]

Hanson occasionally host a songwriting retreat known as Fools' Banquet (sporadically between 2004 and 2015), where they invite musician friends to spend a week collaborating on writing and recording new songs. In the early years, most of the songs that came from Fools' Banquet collaborations featured on Hanson's fan club only albums. Artists that have attended over the years include Andrew W.K., Ben Kweller, Imani Coppola, Sandra McCracken, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Adam Green and Pedro Yanowitz.[63][64] Some songs that have been born and released as a result of Fools' Banquet collaborations have been: We are All Women released by Andrew W.K. and Battle Cry released by both Hanson and Everybody Else.

Back to the Island (BTTI) is a week-long destination concert event for fans, held annually at a resort in Jamaica. Attendees have the opportunity to participate in exclusive events with each member of the band, obtain exclusive merchandise, plus see the band give live performances.[65][66]

In early 2009 Taylor Hanson launched a separate project including members of Smashing Pumpkins, Fountains of Wayne and Cheap Trick called Tinted Windows, a power pop quartet whose debut album quickly earned critical praise and repeat airplay on leading syndicated FM radio programs.

Hanson was the musical guest at the Tulsa stop of The Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour starring Conan O'Brien on May 15, 2010. Conan accompanied the band in playing a cover of the song "Never Been to Spain" by American rock legends Three Dog Night. In June 2010, Hanson performed with former American Idol contestant Siobhan Magnus.

As an April Fools' Day joke in 2011, Hanson covered the song "Wait and Bleed" by the heavy metal band Slipknot, and the website Shockhound claimed that Hanson would record an entire album of Slipknot covers.[67]

On April 25, 2011, Hanson sang their hit "MMMBop" on the American version of Dancing with the Stars. The band also makes a cameo in Katy Perry's music video for her song "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)". [citation needed]

In 2012, Hanson were mentioned in an episode of The Mentalist titled Ruby Slippers, as Grace Van Pelt admits her room was full of their posters when she was a teenager.[68]

In May 2013, they launched their own beer: Mmmhops.[69] The Hanson brothers partnered with craft beer company Mustang Brewing to create the drink as their way of raising a toast to their 21st anniversary. Hanson shared the first taste of the beer with those attending the premiere of The Hangover Part III.[70]

Hanson appeared as dining room guests in the 15th episode of Hell's Kitchen season 13.

In 2015, Hanson appeared on Blues Traveler's album Blow Up the Moon, co-writing the song "Top of the World". In June 2015, they appeared on Owl City's fifth studio album, Mobile Orchestra, in the song "Unbelievable" as his third single for the album.

In July 2016, the group performed on ABC's Greatest Hits.[71]

In 2016, the band performed the song "Him or Me", a cover of the song by Paul Revere & the Raiders, on Bun E. Carlos' solo album called "Greetings From Bunezuela!"[72]

On May 29, 2017 (Memorial Day), Hanson performed live on ABC's Good Morning America[73] to commemorate their 25th year together and promote their new song.

In 2019, the band made a cameo appearance in Australian soap opera Neighbours.[74]

In 2021, Hanson competed in season five of The Masked Singer as the "Russian Dolls", being the first band to compete on the series. The character performed in two costumes during the first and fifth performances and performed in three costumes for the second and third performances. Performances that utilized four costumes had one of them being used as a prop. When unmasked by Nick Cannon and the Men in Black on Week 9 of the fifth season, Taylor, Isaac, and Zac Hanson were underneath the main Russian Doll costume. Their elimination in May 2021 coincided with the release of "Annalie", the first single from their 2021 seven-single album Against the World.[75]

Philanthropy

[edit]

In July 2006, the band recorded with a school choir in Soweto, South Africa to create "Great Divide", which was released in the UK and U.S. through iTunes in December 2006. All proceeds from the song were directed toward research and prevention of AIDS in Africa.[76]

On September 10, 2007, Hanson began "The Walk Tour" in Nashville. During the tour, Hanson continued their work against poverty and AIDS in Africa, partnering with an American company, TOMS Shoes. As part of TOMS' "Shoe Drop", for every pair of shoes sold, the company donated another pair for a child in Africa.[77]

Controversies

[edit]

Details of Zac's Pinterest account were leaked in November 2020, described by Ashley Spencer of Vice as "a trove of pro-gun memes, many of which were racist, transphobic, homophobic, and sexist".[47] The now-deleted account shared memes that commentators characterized as supporting George Zimmerman in the killing of Trayvon Martin, comparing the right to use an AR-15 rifle with Rosa Parks' right to sit on a bus, suggesting that men cannot support gun control without being gay, and insisting that any "man wanting to dress like a woman" must be mentally ill.[47][78] After first defending the posts, he apologized and said, "The leaked Pinterest page provided a distorted view of the issues surrounding race and social justice, which do not reflect my personal beliefs. I apologize for the hurt my actions caused."[47]

Later that month, Isaac addressed the COVID-19 pandemic and wrote on his Instagram story that Christians would soon have to decide whether their faith was more important than "their fear" due to Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving being "cancelled" by the government.[47] He also wrote that he "will not comply" and that he fears God more than death or the government.[47] He later apologized and said, "What I shared was driven by an emotional reaction to a recent personal experience. I'm sorry for the pain and worry that my posts caused. I don't believe there is a group conspiring against Christmas, only that I hope value is placed on both practices of safety and of faith."[47]

Members

[edit]

Isaac Hanson

[edit]
Isaac Hanson

Clarke Isaac Hanson was born on (1980-11-17)November 17, 1980, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.[79] He is the eldest of the three brothers in Hanson, and was eleven when the band started in 1992. He sings both backing and lead vocals and plays electric and acoustic guitar, as well as the piano, bass and the synthesizer. Isaac married Nikki Dufresne on September 30, 2006, in Tulsa at the Philbrook Museum of Art. Isaac met Dufresne after spotting her in the fifth row of a crowd at their 2003 New Orleans concert.[80] They have three children.[81]

Taylor Hanson

[edit]
Taylor Hanson

Jordan Taylor Hanson was born on (1983-03-14)March 14, 1983, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.[82] Taylor was nine when Hanson started in 1992. In Hanson, he sings both lead and backup vocals, and plays keyboard, percussion (including drums, bongos and the tambourine), guitar, harmonica, and piano. He is also the lead singer of supergroup Tinted Windows. On June 8, 2002, Taylor married Natalie Anne Bryant, whom he had first met in 2000. They have seven children.[83]

Zac Hanson

[edit]
Zac Hanson

Zachary Walker Hanson was born on (1985-10-22)October 22, 1985, in Arlington, Virginia, but raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma.[84] He is the youngest of the three brothers in Hanson, and was six when the band started in 1992. He plays drums, percussion, piano, guitar and also sings backup and lead vocals in the band. Zac, at age 12 years and 126 days, is the seventh-youngest Grammy nominee of all time. He holds the title of youngest songwriter nominated for a Grammy Award (same year).[85] Zac married Kate Tucker on June 3, 2006. They have five children.[86] On October 2, 2019, Zac was involved in a motorcycle accident in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which resulted in five broken bones: three broken ribs, a broken clavicle, and a cracked scapula.[87] Zac and his family are also gamers, and currently run a gaming channel on YouTube named "Zaccidental Gamer", where they play such games as Minecraft Dungeons, Halo Infinite, and more.[88] In February 2023, Zac was ordained as a deacon in the Eastern Orthodox Church.[89]

Discography

[edit]

Tours

[edit]
  • Albertane Tour (1998)
  • This Time Around Tour (2000)
  • Underneath Acoustic Tour (2003)
  • Underneath Tour (2004-05)
  • Live and Electric Tour (2005)
  • The Walk Tour (2007-08)
  • The Walk Around the World Tour (2008)
  • Use Your Sole Tour (2009)
  • Shout It Out Tour (2010)
  • 5 of 5 (2010-11)
  • The Musical Ride Tour (2011)
  • Shout It Out World Tour (2011–12)
  • Anthem World Tour (2013–14)
  • Roots & Rock 'N' Roll Tour (2015)
  • Middle of Everywhere: 25th Anniversary Tour (2017)
  • Finally, It's Christmas Tour (2017)
  • String Theory Tour (2018–19)
  • Wintry Mix Tour (2019)
  • Streaming Concert Series (2020-21)
  • Against the World+ (2021)
  • Red Green Blue Tour (2022)
  • Underneath Complete Tour (2024)

Filmography

[edit]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Awards Work Category Result
1997 MTV Europe Music Awards[90] "Where's the Love" MTV Select Nominated
"MMMBop" Best Song Won
Themselves Best New Act Won
Denmark GAFFA Awards Foreign New Act Nominated
Billboard Music Awards Top Pop Artist – Duo/Group Nominated
Top New Pop Artist Nominated
Top Hot 100 Artist – Duo/Group Nominated
Top Billboard 200 Artist – Duo/Group Nominated
1998 Nominated
Japan Gold Disc Awards New Artist of the Year Won
ECHO Awards Best International Newcomer Won
World Music Awards World's Best Selling New Artist Won
Brit Awards Best International Group Nominated
International Breakthrough Act Nominated
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards Favorite Group – Pop Nominated
Favorite Group – New Artist Nominated
Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Music Group Won
"MMMBop" Favorite Song Won
NARM Awards Snowed In Best Selling Holiday Album Won
Live from Albertane Best Selling Music Video Won
Grammy Awards Themselves Best New Artist Nominated
Record of the Year "MMMBop" Nominated
Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals Nominated
2005 MTV Video Music Brazil[91] "Penny & Me" Best International Video Nominated
Lunas del Auditorio Themselves Best Foreign Pop Artist Nominated
2012 Nominated

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia

Hanson is an American band formed in , in 1992 by brothers Clarke "Ike" Hanson (born November 17, 1980), Jordan (born March 14, 1983), and Zachary Walker "Zac" Hanson (born October 22, 1985). The trio initially performed as a contemporary Christian group before transitioning to secular , with on guitar and vocals, Taylor on keyboards and vocals, and Zac on drums and vocals.
The band rose to global prominence in 1997 with their major-label debut album Middle of Nowhere, propelled by the lead single "", which debuted at number one on the and topped charts in 27 countries, selling over 1.5 million copies in the alone. Middle of Nowhere achieved multi-platinum status, contributing to Hanson's total sales exceeding 16 million albums worldwide. Their success earned three Grammy Award nominations in 1998 for , Best New Artist, and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, all for "". Hanson has released eight studio albums, including This Time Around (2000), Underneath (2004), and the recent Underneath: Complete (2024), often self-producing and distributing through their independent label, 3CG Records, established after parting with . The band has maintained a rigorous touring schedule, performing over 300 shows annually at peaks of their career, and built a dedicated fanbase through initiatives like the Hanson.net membership community. In 2020, Hanson encountered significant fan backlash—dubbed "Hansongate" by detractors—stemming from leaked content attributed to members, including pro-gun imagery and perceived insufficient support for amid George Floyd protests, prompting some fans to boycott and donate to opposing causes. Despite such divisions, the band has continued releasing music and touring, emphasizing artistic independence over mainstream alignment.

History

1992–1996: Formation and early development

The band Hanson was formed in 1992 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by brothers Clarke Isaac Hanson (born November 17, 1980), Jordan Taylor Hanson (born March 14, 1983), and Zachary Walker Hanson (born October 22, 1985), who drew early inspiration from classic late-1950s rock and roll, Motown, and 1960s R&B records discovered in their family collection. Self-taught on instruments through home practice and familial encouragement, the siblings—initially led by Isaac and Taylor, with Zac joining on drums—began experimenting with three-part harmonies and live performances to channel their musical interests amid homeschooling and a large family environment. Their first professional gig occurred that year, marking the start of local appearances driven by a desire to emulate the energy of vintage rock acts rather than contemporary trends. By 1994–1995, the brothers had honed a of original songs emphasizing acoustic guitars, keyboards, and drums played live without session musicians, performing at venues across and nearby areas like . This period saw their independent release of the demo album on May 17, 1995, funded by their father Walker Hanson and distributed locally on cassette and CD, featuring tracks like "More Than Anything" and "" that showcased raw pop-rock arrangements. The album, recorded in 1994, sold modestly through Tulsa-area outlets and gigs, reflecting their approach before major-label involvement. In early 1996, following submissions of demo tapes from and subsequent live showcases, the band attracted attention from industry figures, culminating in a signing with after a representative scouted them at a Kansas festival performance. This deal highlighted their insistence on retaining live instrumentation and songwriting control, distinguishing them from polished acts reliant on external production.

1997–2000: Breakthrough with Middle of Nowhere

Middle of Nowhere, the band's major-label debut, was released on May 6, 1997, via . Produced by the , the album featured polished pop-rock arrangements that propelled Hanson to international prominence, with tracks emphasizing the brothers' multi-instrumental talents and harmonious vocals. The album achieved substantial commercial success, selling over 10 million copies worldwide and earning quadruple platinum certification in the United States. Its lead single, "," released in April 1997, topped the for three weeks and reached number one in at least 12 countries, including the , , and . "" also garnered a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 1998, alongside nominations for the album in and Song of the Year categories. Follow-up singles like "" and "I Will Come to You" further contributed to the album's chart performance, with the latter peaking at number five on the Hot 100. Hanson supported the album with intensive touring, including the Albertane Tour, which ran from June 9 to September 30, 1998, encompassing 36 shows across and , such as performances in , , and major U.S. venues like Pine Knob Music Theater. In 2000, the band launched Hanson.net, one of the earliest subscription-based fan clubs offering direct access to exclusive content, merchandise, and updates, fostering a dedicated amid their rising fame.

2001–2005: Transition to independence

Following the underwhelming commercial performance of their 2000 album This Time Around, which sold approximately 500,000 copies in the United States compared to over 10 million for their debut, Hanson encountered significant obstacles with Island Def Jam Music Group, including corporate mergers and diminished promotional support. In 2001, the band negotiated their exit from the label contract amid disputes over creative control, as Island Def Jam initially resisted releasing them, prompting legal efforts to secure independence and retain master rights. This transition was documented in the 2003 film Strong Enough to Break, which highlighted the brothers' frustrations with major-label bureaucracy and their determination to avoid exploitative deals that prioritized short-term profits over artistic ownership. To maintain autonomy, Hanson established their independent label, 3CG Records—named after the three-car garage where they first recorded as children—in 2003. The label handled production, distribution through indie networks like , and direct sales via their , enabling full retention of publishing and recording rights. Their third studio , Underneath, was self-funded and released on , 2004, debuting at number one on Billboard's chart and ultimately selling over 350,000 copies worldwide, with 137,000 in the . The lead single "Penny and Me" achieved modest chart success, reaching number two on the Hot Singles Sales chart and number ten in the UK, reflecting sustained fan loyalty despite limited mainstream radio play. This period underscored Hanson's entrepreneurial shift, prioritizing long-term sustainability and direct artist-fan engagement over reliance on major-label infrastructure, which they viewed as unstable and artist-unfriendly.

2006–2008: The Walk and anniversary milestones

In 2007, Hanson released their fourth studio album, The Walk, on their independent label 3CG Records, drawing from rock, R&B, , and influences while emphasizing pop hooks and musicianship. The album, co-produced with , featured tracks such as "Something Going Round" and "Your Illusion," with some U.S. editions including live acoustic bonuses. This release coincided with the band's "The Walk Tour" (2007–2008), a global initiative where members walked barefoot one mile before concerts in multiple cities to symbolize poverty and raise awareness for . The tour built on a 2006 trip to , where the band documented severe AIDS and poverty impacts firsthand, recording two tracks and committing to advocacy through walks, song downloads, and small donations like $0.33 for maternal HIV prevention drugs. Partnering with , Hanson encouraged fans to participate in pre-show walks, distributing shoes to African children for each pair purchased and fostering a "MMMovement" for measurable aid. These efforts prioritized over broad publicity, yielding sustained fan engagement rather than chart dominance, with The Walk achieving modest sales reflective of independent distribution and loyal niche support. Marking the 10th anniversary of their debut major-label album Middle of Nowhere and signature single "," Hanson re-recorded the project acoustically on May 5, 2007, at Tulsa's Blank Slate bar, releasing Middle of Nowhere Acoustic as a live album and DVD to commemorate Hanson Day on May 6. These fan-centric events reinforced the band's grassroots evolution, blending nostalgia with ongoing tours while avoiding mainstream revival tactics.

2009–2012: Revival with Shout It Out

Shout It Out, Hanson's fifth studio album, was released on June 8, 2010, through their independent label 3CG Records. The record marked a shift toward a retro-inspired pop-rock sound drawing from , , and R&B influences, featuring fuller live including horns and a emphasis on organic band performance over programmed elements. The album debuted at No. 30 on the , representing the band's highest charting position in over six years and signaling moderate commercial revival driven by core fan support. Lead single "Thinking 'Bout Somethin'," released earlier in with a video incorporating sequences, received on select radio formats and showcased the album's upbeat, harmony-driven style. To promote the release, Hanson launched the Shout It Out Tour, commencing with North American legs in summer that prioritized live authenticity with a full backing band, followed by international extensions to , , , and through 2012. Marketing efforts relied heavily on direct fan engagement via Hanson.net, including bundles and contest-driven opening acts, underscoring the band's sustained independent operation amid broader industry challenges.

2013–2020: Diverse releases and

In June 2013, Hanson released their fifth studio album, , which emphasized a return to energetic pop-rock arrangements following the soul-influenced Shout It Out. The album debuted at number 22 on the chart. Produced independently through 3CG Records, Anthem featured tracks like "" and " Back," blending guitar-driven hooks with the band's signature harmonies. Later in the period, Hanson ventured into seasonal music with the holiday album Finally It's in October 2017, their second Christmas release after 1997's . The album included original songs such as "Finally It's " alongside covers like "" and "Blue ," produced with Mark Hudson to target the holiday market. A significant experimental shift occurred with , a released on November 9, 2018, incorporating orchestral strings performed by the Symphony Orchestra. The 23-track project, structured as a concept narrative about aspiration and perseverance, reworked older unreleased material and new compositions into symphonic arrangements, marking a departure from their rock roots toward cinematic, string-heavy soundscapes. Supported by a symphonic tour spanning 2018 and 2019, it highlighted the band's evolution in blending pop with classical elements. Throughout 2013 to 2019, Hanson maintained active touring, performing over 350 concerts across , , and , including the Anthem World Tour with nearly 80 dates. This sustained activity contributed to their cumulative worldwide exceeding 16 million units by the late .

2021–2022: Against the World and RGB

In June 2021, Hanson began releasing tracks from their seventh studio project, Against the World, with the full seven-song album issued on November 5. Recorded primarily at in , before the onset of the , the release was postponed due to disruptions caused by the , shifting from planned 2020 rollout to monthly singles starting May 2021. The album's themes center on resilience, grace, hope, forgiveness, and fearlessness, positioning the music as a defiant response to worldly challenges. Marking the band's 30th anniversary, Hanson released Red Green Blue (RGB) on May 20, 2022, structured as three interconnected mini-albums of five songs each, led individually by the brothers: helming the energetic Red section, Isaac Hanson curating the reflective Green portion, and Zac Hanson driving the introspective Blue side. Each brother wrote, performed, and produced their segment autonomously, collaborating with Grammy-winning producers Jim Scott and David Garza, which allowed exploration of personal influences ranging from rock to soul while preserving the group's melodic core. The separate creative processes proved challenging and emotionally taxing, as the siblings worked in isolation for the first time. To maintain fan engagement amid pandemic restrictions curtailing live performances, Hanson pivoted to virtual formats, reimagining annual Hanson Day events as multi-day streams in 2021 with concerts, virtual meet-and-greets, and interactive "pin hunting" activities on their website, followed by similar anniversary celebrations in 2022 incorporating galleries and members-only online shows. These adaptations sustained community interaction without physical gatherings.

2023–present: Underneath and sustained activity

In October 2024, Hanson released Underneath: Complete, a deluxe of their 2004 Underneath, marking the 20th anniversary of their first independent release on 3CG Records. The expanded edition includes 23 tracks, incorporating original songs, B-sides, and alternate versions such as "Penny & Me (Moonlight Version)", available across formats including triple vinyl and streaming platforms. This project revisited the album that initiated the band's self-managed era, emphasizing their commitment to catalog preservation amid ongoing performances. The release coincided with the Underneath: Experience Tour, launched in June 2024, featuring dual-night formats with acoustic sets on one evening and full-band electric shows on the next, drawing from the album's material. Performances spanned venues like the in on November 7, 2024, and continued into 2025 with limited dates, including a show at Resort on October 3, 2025. These events highlighted sustained fan engagement through reinterpreted older tracks, maintaining the band's live presence without new studio material. Hanson hosted their annual Hanson Day (HDAY) event from May 22 to 24, 2025, in , exclusively for fan club members, featuring a kickoff concert titled "Sound of Light" with aspirational songs from their catalog and additional activities like . The event extended to May 25 for some programming, with tickets prioritized for members starting March 6, 2025. Complementing this, the band performed at EPCOT's concert series during the International Food & Wine Festival on October 18, 2025, delivering high-energy sets of fan favorites. On March 4, 2025, Hanson announced restructuring of their hanson.net fan club, transitioning from annual fees to pro-rated monthly offerings, with the traditional model ending March 31, 2026, to enhance long-term sustainability after 25 years. This adjustment followed months of deliberation, aiming to adapt to evolving fan interactions while preserving access to exclusive content and events. Separately, was inducted into the Hall of Fame on November 13, 2025, recognizing his contributions as a Tulsa native and philanthropist alongside band achievements. These developments underscored the band's viability through selective touring, archival projects, and community-focused initiatives as of late 2025.

Musical style and influences

Core style and instrumentation

Hanson's core musical style is rooted in , characterized by guitar-driven songs with upbeat tempos and layered three-part vocal harmonies that evoke mid- to late-20th-century pop sensibilities. The band's compositions typically feature energetic rhythms and melodic hooks, performed through the brothers' primary instrumentation: Isaac Hanson handling and vocals, Taylor on keyboards and supporting vocals, and Zachary Walker Hanson on and vocals. All three brothers contribute to songwriting, ensuring a collaborative foundation that integrates their instrumental roles into the creative process. Unlike many contemporaneous pop acts reliant on lip-syncing or pre-recorded elements, Hanson has maintained a commitment to full live multi-instrumentation from their early performances, with the trio executing songs using only their played instruments and vocals without backing tracks or session musicians in core arrangements. This approach is empirically verifiable in unedited live footage, such as their 2017 Tiny Desk Concert, where they replicate studio tracks acoustically through direct playing and singing, highlighting raw vocal delivery absent auto-tune processing typical in polished pop production. Their avoidance of such enhancements underscores a focus on instrumental proficiency and harmonic interplay, setting their output apart by prioritizing authentic execution over studio augmentation.

Influences and evolution

Hanson's early musical influences included ' sunny, soulful organic pop, which informed the harmonious, upbeat style of their debut album Middle of Nowhere (1997), and ' foundational pop songcraft. Their formative years in , exposed the brothers to the local music scene, incorporating elements that echoed in later soulful arrangements. After parting ways with major labels following This Time Around (2000) and establishing independence through their 3CG Records imprint in 2003, Hanson exercised greater creative control over production and direction. This shift from label oversight to allowed experimentation beyond commercial constraints, enabling stylistic adaptations rooted in their foundational sound rather than market-driven formulas. In the 2010s, the band evolved toward funk-infused rock on Shout It Out (2010), integrating R&B grooves, gospel choirs, and boisterous horn sections arranged by —drawing from and soul precedents—with tracks like "Thinking 'Bout Somethin'" evoking bluesy piano riffs and energetic rhythms. A pinnacle of orchestral experimentation arrived with (2018), a double album featuring symphonic reimaginings of catalog songs and new material, backed by the 46-piece Prague Symphony Orchestra under arrangements by David Campbell. This project expanded their palette to include lush string ensembles and classical twists while retaining pop-rock cores, demonstrating how autonomy sustained innovation across three decades.

Band members

Clarke Isaac Hanson

Clarke Isaac Hanson, born on November 17, 1980, in , serves as the eldest member of the pop rock band Hanson. He performs primarily as the lead guitarist and provides both lead and backing vocals, occasionally contributing on bass and piano. Married to Nicole Hanson since 2006, he has three children—sons Everett and Monroe, and daughter Odette—embodying a commitment to traditional family structures amid his musical career. Hanson co-wrote the band's signature hit "" alongside his brothers Taylor and Zac, a track that propelled their debut album Middle of Nowhere to quadruple-platinum status in 1997. In the band's business operations, he co-founded and co-CEOs 3CG Records, the independent label established in 2003 to retain creative control following their major-label experiences. This venture underscores his leadership in steering the group's transition to self-management and sustained independence. On the 2022 album Red Green Blue, Hanson led the "green" segment, writing and producing a third of the project to highlight individual artistic voices within the collaborative framework. His guitar work and songwriting continue to define Hanson's sound, emphasizing melodic hooks and harmonic depth rooted in their formative influences.

Jordan Taylor Hanson

Jordan Taylor Hanson, born on March 14, 1983, in , serves as the middle brother in the band Hanson, where he primarily plays keyboards and provides both lead and backing vocals. He also contributes on percussion instruments such as , , and , as well as guitar, harmonica, and , supporting the band's live and recorded performances. As a key songwriter for the band, Hanson co-wrote tracks including "Where's the Love" from their 1997 album Middle of Nowhere, on which he delivered the lead vocals. He has been involved in production efforts, co-producing the band's 2010 album Shout It Out alongside his brothers, emphasizing a return to R&B-influenced pop roots. In 2003, he co-founded 3CG Records with his brothers Isaac and Zac, enabling independent music production and distribution. Hanson married Natalie Anne Tull in June 2002, and the couple has seven children: sons Jordan Ezra (born 2002), River Samuel (2006), Viggo Moriah (2008), and Claude Emmanuel (2012); and daughters Anne (2005), Wilhelmina Jane (2012), and Maybellene. His personal engagement with fans often manifests through direct interactions, such as meet-and-greets and responses, fostering long-term loyalty among the band's audience. In recognition of his musical and philanthropic contributions, Hanson was inducted into the as part of the class of 2025, with the ceremony held on November 13, 2025, in Tulsa. This honor underscores his role in promoting artistic expression and independent artistry from his home state.

Zachary Walker Hanson

Zachary Walker Hanson, born October 22, 1985, in Arlington, , and raised in , serves as the and youngest member of the band Hanson. As the third of seven siblings, he provides the rhythm section alongside his brothers and Taylor, contributing drums, vocals, and to the group's sound. Hanson displayed early talent as a , transitioning from like his siblings to focus on percussion during the band's formative years in the early . His drumming has been central to Hanson's live performances and recordings, including dynamic tracks on the 2022 album Red Green Blue, where his "Blue" mini-album segment highlights rhythmic elements in songs like "Wake Up" and "Bad." He has also co-written material across Hanson's discography, sharing credits with his brothers on all tracks of the 2004 album Underneath. In his , Hanson married Kate Tucker, with whom he has five children: John Ira Shepherd, Junia Rosa Ruth, George Abraham Walker, Mary Lucille Diana, and a fifth son born in 2021. This family size stands out amid prevailing trends in the entertainment industry favoring smaller households.

Other ventures

Business endeavors

In 2003, following disputes with major label after a merger disrupted their creative process, Hanson established 3CG Records as an independent label to regain artistic and business control. The label facilitated the release of their 2004 album Underneath, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Independent Albums chart, demonstrating viability without major-label backing. 3CG secured distribution through , enabling wider reach while retaining ownership and decision-making autonomy, a model that has supported subsequent releases and diversified revenue beyond traditional retail. Hanson Brothers Beer Company, launched in 2013, represents the band's entry into craft brewing, rooted in their origins and affinity for hop-forward ales. The inaugural product, Mmmhops —a nod to their hit ""—was produced in partnership with local breweries like Brewing, emphasizing quality ingredients and limited releases to build . By , the company expanded through a collaboration with Destihl Brewery, introducing new offerings like Pink Moonlight Hazy Peach for broader North American distribution, reflecting strategic scaling to mitigate reliance on music income amid fluctuating industry dynamics. Hanson.net, the band's official platform since the late , has evolved into a hub for merchandise, exclusive content, and memberships, prioritizing fan-driven sales over intermediary retailers. In March 2025, it transitioned to a pro-rated monthly membership structure, enhancing accessibility and recurring revenue while fostering deeper engagement through personalized perks, a shift informed by two decades of independent operations. This model underscores Hanson's entrepreneurial pivot toward sustainable, artist-controlled monetization in an era of declining physical sales.

Media and collaborative projects

In 1998, Hanson released The Road to Albertane, a that chronicles the band's experiences during their inaugural major , highlighting the logistical and personal challenges of their rapid ascent following the success of "". The project, distributed on , offered fans behind-the-scenes footage of the three brothers navigating fame at ages 17, 15, and 12, emphasizing their self-managed operations and family-driven ethos. The band has made select television appearances beyond promotional performances. On August 13, 2019, Hanson filmed a cameo for the Australian Neighbours, portraying themselves at the fictional Music Festival, integrating their music into the storyline for a fan-centric episode. More recently, on October 10, 2025, they performed live from , during NBC's Today show's third-hour segment, coinciding with the program's on-location broadcast in their hometown and featuring discussions on their career longevity. Hanson has participated in songwriting collaborations with veteran artists, contributing to external projects. In 2001, at a songwriting boot camp in , Isaac and Zac Hanson co-wrote "Let You Go" with and Jez Ashurst, while co-wrote "One More Time" with King and Steve Jones; both tracks appeared on King's album Love Makes the World, blending pop-rock elements with King's established style. These efforts, completed in intensive sessions, reflect the band's emphasis on craftsmanship over commercial trends.

Philanthropy

Founding of 3CG and charity efforts

In 2003, brothers Isaac, Taylor, and Zac Hanson established 3CG Records, an independent label derived from the acronym "3 Car Garage," to regain creative and financial control over their music production and distribution following disputes with major labels. The venture enabled the release of their album Underneath in 2004, marking a shift toward self-managed operations based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Building on this independence, the band initiated charity efforts in 2007 with the Take the Walk campaign, aimed at addressing poverty, , and education deficits in through mobilization. The program encouraged participants to walk miles—often to evoke conditions in affected regions—with organizers committing $1 per mile to targeted causes, including HIV medication provision, school construction in , and basic needs like shoes. These efforts integrated with the band's Walk Tour, commencing September 10, 2007, in Nashville, where pre-concert walks drew fans and generated verifiable outputs via mile tracking; by October 2008, the initiative had logged nearly 6,000 miles, translating to equivalent dollar donations for projects. A key partnership formed with around 2007, leveraging the one-for-one donation model to supply ; Hanson promoted sales and participated in distribution trips, such as a November 2007 "shoe drop" in South African villages, helping TOMS achieve a milestone of 50,000 pairs donated to . This collaboration extended the campaign's reach, combining fan engagement with direct material , though comprehensive audits of mile-based funds' end-use beyond event-specific goals are not detailed in public disclosures from the band or partners.

Partnerships and impact assessments

Hanson's "Take the Walk" campaign, launched in 2007, established partnerships with organizations such as to combat and , where fan-participated miles directly funded donations at $1 per mile to selected causes. Participants logged over 5,000 miles through these collaborations, fostering sustained fan involvement by tying charitable actions to the band's world tour activities. This model leveraged the band's independent status post-3CG Records founding, enabling direct control over campaign integration without major label constraints, which preserved authenticity and long-term commitment. Taylor Hanson's Food on the Move, initiated in 2014, partners with health experts, community leaders, government agencies, and local businesses to host monthly pay-as-you-can mobile events in Tulsa's food deserts, distributing fresh produce and meals while incorporating educational programs on and workforce development. By May 2021, the initiative had provided 4.5 million pounds of during the period alone, serving over 250,000 Oklahomans cumulatively, with more than 200,000 aided amid the . These efforts emphasize long-term systemic change, including advocacy for permanent returns and health assessments, demonstrating measurable outcomes in local food security. Impact assessments highlight strengths in community-driven through fan and local engagement, positioning Hanson as a exemplar of artist-led that sustains involvement beyond one-off events. However, the geographic focus—primarily Tulsa for Food on the Move and Africa-specific for earlier campaigns—reveals inherent limitations in broader , as reliance on band-tied resources constrains expansion without additional institutional support. The campaigns' success correlates with the brothers' operational independence, allowing causal alignment between music tours and aid delivery, though quantifiable global child-specific metrics remain tied to aggregate donation reports rather than audited per-beneficiary outcomes.

Controversies

2020 Pinterest scandal and fan backlash

In late May 2020, screenshots from a deleted account registered under the username "" and belonging to Hanson drummer Zachary "Zac" Hanson were leaked online, sparking widespread discussion. The boards featured memes advocating for Second Amendment , including one comparing AR-15 ownership to ' refusal to yield her bus seat and another expressing support for George Zimmerman's acquittal in the 2012 shooting. Additional pins critiqued excesses within the movement, expressed skepticism toward lockdown policies, and included gender-critical content mocking ideology, such as memes questioning biological sex distinctions and medical interventions for minors. The leak, dubbed "Hansongate" or "Pinterestgate" by aggrieved fans, triggered a backlash within the band's dedicated , which had sustained the group through decades of independent releases and tours. Detractors, many citing the content as racist, transphobic, or insensitive to causes, formed the r/postHanson subreddit—amassing over 1,000 members by November—to catalog screenshots and grievances. Some fans demanded refunds for merchandise and fan club memberships, while others donated to organizations in the band's name as a form of protest, framing the pins as antithetical to the group's earlier inclusive image. Hanson confirmed the account's ownership, with Zac describing some memes as intended jokes and the overall collection as providing a "distorted view" of complex issues that did not align with his beliefs on race and . He issued a public apology for causing hurt to fans, emphasizing personal growth and a commitment to learning. The band as a whole affirmed support for in posts around June 5–9, 2020, but drew further ire for initial hesitancy in using the phrase explicitly amid the protests. A minority of supporters defended the pins as expressions of constitutional gun rights advocacy and critiques of movement-driven narratives, views common in non-urban American contexts and protected under free speech principles, with no empirical evidence of broader reputational collapse as the band persisted in releasing music and touring post-scandal.

Responses and broader implications

Zac Hanson issued a public apology on November 11, 2020, stating, "I apologize for the offense caused by the content on my page," while affirming that the account was his but not disavowing the principles behind the pro-gun and other memes shared there. The collectively distanced the band from the specific posts, emphasizing in subsequent statements that they did not represent official group positions, yet proceeded with live performances uninterrupted. Post-controversy fan retention demonstrated resilience in the core audience, with the band's undergoing structural updates in March 2025—shifting to monthly memberships—while maintaining active engagement and pre-sale access for . This stability is evidenced by scheduled 2025 tour dates, including shows at at the in Atlantic City on October 24 and 25, attracting ticket sales through major platforms. Such continuity underscores implications for musicians navigating public scrutiny, where ideological expression risks alienating subsets of fans but preserves autonomy against broader dynamics, allowing sustained careers for those with loyal bases. The pro-gun content highlighted in the scandal aligns with Second Amendment advocacy held by approximately 40% of Americans who, per recent surveys, oppose stricter gun laws or prioritize constitutional protections over expanded controls—a viewpoint far from fringe given its representation in national polls and electoral outcomes. Critiques embedded in the memes, targeting and emphasizing traditional structures, reflect causal priorities—such as biological realities in and parental roles—over narrative constructs amplified in media and academia, institutions often exhibiting left-leaning biases that frame dissenting empirical stances as marginal despite their prevalence among working-class and conservative demographics. This episode illustrates how artist statements intersecting with mainstream American pluralism can provoke outsized backlash from ideologically aligned fan segments, yet affirm broader cultural divides where truth-seeking favors data on societal outcomes, like stability metrics, over politicized equity paradigms.

Discography

Studio albums

Hanson's debut major-label studio album, Middle of Nowhere, released on May 6, 1997, via , achieved commercial success with certifications including 4× Platinum from the RIAA in the United States for 4 million units shipped. The album's "" propelled its sales, contributing significantly to the band's early global reach. Subsequent releases transitioned to independent production under the band's 3CG Records label starting in 2003. Underneath, issued on April 20, 2004, debuted at No. 1 on the Top chart and No. 25 on the , marking a milestone for self-released efforts with reported gold-level independent sales. Later studio albums include The Walk (2007), Shout It Out (2010), Anthem (2013), Against the World (2021), and Red Green Blue (May 20, 2022), the latter peaking at No. 14 on the Billboard Rock Albums . In 2024, the band released Underneath: Complete, an expanded edition of the 2004 album featuring 23 tracks including originals, acoustics, and new material. As of 2025, Hanson has sold over 16 million records worldwide across their discography.

Compilation and live albums

Hanson's initial foray into live recordings came with Live From Albertane, released on November 3, 1998, to mark the conclusion of their debut U.S. headlining tour, the Albertane Tour. The album captures 12 tracks in on July 21, 1998, blending original hits such as "" with covers like "Gimme Some Lovin'/Shake a Tail Feather," highlighting the band's high-energy pop-rock performances from their breakthrough era. The band's second live album, The Best of Hanson: Live and Electric, followed on November 8, 2005, marking their inaugural release via the independent 3CG Records label. Recorded at Melbourne's on June 6, 2005, during the Underneath Tour's final Australian dates, it features 15 live tracks interspersed with select electric studio recordings, drawing from both early catalog staples and material from Underneath (2004), underscoring Hanson's evolution toward self-produced output. In the compilation domain, Middle of Everywhere: The Greatest Hits emerged in 2013 as a aggregating 17 tracks spanning the band's six prior major-label and independent studio efforts, including "," "," and "Penny and Me," aimed at encapsulating their commercial peaks without new material. Later, Perennial: A Hanson Net Collection arrived on November 6, 2020, compiling 21 songs largely sourced from the Hanson.net digital archive of rarities and outtakes, augmented by one original, "Nothing Like a ," to provide fans archival access to non-commercial tracks recorded over decades. These releases, while not achieving the prominence of Hanson's studio work, prioritize preservation of live dynamics and obscure material, reflecting the band's emphasis on fan engagement and catalog depth over mass-market replication.

Tours and performances

Key world tours

The Albertane Tour marked Hanson’s inaugural headlining effort, spanning June 9 to September 30, 1998, with 36 performances across and initial European stops in , , and . Supporting their breakthrough album Middle of Nowhere, the tour built on prior opening slots in 1997–1998, contributing to over 200 total shows during that promotional period amid rising popularity. Venues included major amphitheaters like Molson Amphitheatre in and in , showcasing the band's transition from support acts to arena-level draws. After parting with in 2003, Hanson adopted an independent approach with the Underneath Tour (2004–2005), self-financing promotion for their self-released album Underneath. Running from July 2004 through June 2005, it covered , , , , and over nearly 12 months, validating a fan-driven model reliant on direct sales, merchandise, and loyal attendance rather than label advances. This structure emphasized club and theater venues, fostering closer artist-fan engagement and proving commercial sustainability without major-label distribution. The Walk Tour launched in September 2007 in Nashville, evolving into the Walk Around the World Tour in 2008 with over 140 dates primarily in and across four continents including select international extensions. Preceding each show, the band organized one-mile walks to highlight AIDS and poverty issues in , tying performances to while maintaining high-energy sets that sustained fan turnout post-independence. Multiple legs, including a preview mini-tour in March 2007 and extensions through mid-2008, underscored logistical endurance with consistent routing from East Coast U.S. dates to Midwest and overseas markets.

Recent live activities

In 2024, Hanson launched the Underneath Experience Tour, a limited-run series comprising two-night engagements across 12 cities, with the first evening dedicated to acoustic renditions and the second featuring full electric performances concluded by audience dance parties. The tour commenced on October 3 and 4 at in , , emphasizing intimate venues to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their album Underneath through reinterpreted tracks and fan engagement. This format adapted traditional touring by prioritizing depth over breadth, allowing for varied setlists including rarities like "Out of My Head" captured live during the dates. The tour extended into 2025, maintaining the dual-night structure in select markets such as , where performances occurred on October 21, sustaining direct fan access via Hanson.net for exclusive recordings and meet-and-greets. Concurrently, the band secured festival appearances, including multiple sets at the International Festival's series from October 17 to 20 at America Gardens Theatre in , delivering high-energy shows with staples like "" and newer material to festival crowds. Hanson's 2025 itinerary remained deliberately constrained, with dates such as October 2 at FirstOntario Concert Hall in , and October 3 at Resort in Rama, , reflecting a strategy to balance artistic output with long-term band sustainability amid a three-decade career. Additional one-off special shows, including October 24 and 25 at the Music Box at in , were routed through official channels like Hanson.net and , achieving consistent attendance via presales and member priorities that underscore enduring fan loyalty despite industry-wide challenges for legacy acts. This selective scheduling counters perceptions of diminished viability, as evidenced by sold-out or near-capacity venues in these engagements, facilitated by direct-to-fan ticketing models.

Reception and legacy

Commercial achievements

Hanson has sold over 16 million records worldwide. Their debut album Middle of Nowhere (1997) peaked at No. 2 on the chart and was certified 4× Platinum by the RIAA for U.S. sales exceeding 4 million units. The lead single "MMMBop" topped the for three weeks and earned RIAA Platinum certification for 1 million units sold in the U.S. The band achieved three top 20 albums on the : Middle of Nowhere (No. 2), the holiday release (No. 4 in 1997), and This Time Around (No. 19 in 2000), the latter certified Gold by the RIAA. On the singles front, Hanson secured three top 20 placements on the with "" (No. 1), "" (No. 18), and "This Time Around" (No. 20). Additional Hot 100 entries like "Penny & Me" (No. 37 in 2004) contributed to a broader tally of top 40 singles across markets. Following their departure from Island Def Jam Records in 2001 and the launch of independent label 3CG Records in 2003, Hanson maintained chart presence without major-label distribution. The album Underneath (2004) debuted at No. 1 on the Independent Albums chart and No. 25 on the , while later releases like Shout It Out (2010) and (2013) reached Nos. 30 and 22 on the , respectively, underscoring commercial longevity through direct fan engagement and self-funded production. Overall U.S. album sales exceed 7 million units, per aggregated data.

Critical assessments

Hanson's debut album Middle of Nowhere (1997) garnered praise from critics for its polished songcraft and harmonious vocals, with reviewers highlighting the brothers' ability to craft infectious pop melodies rooted in influences like and classic soul. The album was described as a "pleasant, breezy collection of pop songs" that stood above average fare due to its melodic strengths and live instrumentation feel, despite the band's youth. later included it among the essential albums of the , affirming its enduring quality amid initial skepticism toward the band's boy-band image. Subsequent releases faced mixed assessments, with some critics viewing efforts like This Time Around (2000) as attempts to evolve beyond formulas, praising tracks for their rock edges and maturity, while others critiqued the persistence of nostalgic hooks as formulaic. Later , such as Anthem (2013), drew commendations for evident passion in performance and production, yet were sometimes dismissed as irrelevant post-peak revivals reliant on fan loyalty rather than broad innovation. These critiques often stemmed from the band's early association with bubblegum pop, overlooking verifiable evolution in self-directed production—Hanson has credited themselves as producers on albums from Underneath (2004) onward, funding and controlling output via their 3CG Records label established in 2003. Dismissals of Hanson as a mere "" have been challenged for ignoring their hands-on musicianship, including multi-instrumental proficiency and avoidance of prefabricated pop tropes; unlike typical s managed by external producers, the Hansons wrote, performed, and increasingly self-produced their material, debunking manufactured-label narratives. Authentic instrumentation and layered harmonies remain pros cited in favorable reviews, countering claims of irrelevance by demonstrating sustained technical growth across two decades of releases.

Cultural and industry impact

Hanson's establishment of the MOE (Middle of Everywhere) fan club in the late represented an early form of artist-owned direct-to-fan engagement, predating the dominance of platforms. This web-native community facilitated interactive forums, exclusive content, and membership perks, fostering a dedicated superfan base that generated sustained revenue outside major label structures. By prioritizing ownership of fan relationships, the model influenced subsequent indie strategies for building loyal economies without intermediary gatekeepers. In 2003, the band founded 3CG Records after parting with Island Def Jam, securing full creative and financial control over their output. This independence enabled the release of nine studio albums, three of which reached the Top 20 on U.S. charts, and global sales exceeding 16 million records. Their approach—emphasizing self-distribution deals and persistent touring—served as a practical template for other artists seeking longevity beyond major-label hype, demonstrating viability for pop-rock acts in a consolidating industry. Over 33 years since formation in 1992, Hanson has countered narratives of ephemeral teen-pop success by maintaining output and performances into 2025, bucking the trajectory through ownership rather than media-driven . The brothers' collective 15 children—three from , seven from Taylor, and five from Zac—embody a commitment to expansive structures, empirically diverging from declines in Western nations where rates have fallen below replacement levels since the 1970s. This persistence underscores a counter-cultural emphasis on and familial priorities amid broader cultural shifts toward smaller households.

References

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