HANSON Thirteen years ago, their out-of-the-blue, soul-inspired brand of American
pop-rock‘n’roll was introduced to the world. Unaffected by charts or fads, these native
sons of Tulsa, Oklahoma have spent more than a decade building a community of fans
connected to one another and fueled by the energy and craftsmanship of three brothers
and their music. They deliver a powerful group of soulful, melodic tunes that will leave
you with a contagious sense of optimism for the future and welcomed reminiscence for
American rock ‘n’ roll. “The anatomy of our band is similar to a ‘70s rock band – white
guys from the Midwest who grew up listening to ‘50s and ‘60s soul, who are mixing
guitars, with vintage keys and melodic songs,” Taylor Hanson says. Adds Isaac,
“We’ll always be a bit rootsy ‘cause it’s in the Oklahoma soil (the state is also home
to artists like Bob Wills, Woody Guthrie and the versatile Leon Russell), but what we’ve
never stopped aspiring to is the great songwriters and performers who struck a chord
with us first, that early rock ‘n’ rock roll and soul music from Chuck Berry to Otis Redding.
We’ve rediscovered that aspiration. There’s a little more swing and a little more air.”
They’ve sold millions of records and reached a level of adoration that few bands
experience, and have also faced career obstacles that would have broken many
artist’s resolve. They waded through four years of struggle with a new corporate
label made up of inherited executives in discord with the band, which eventually
lead the band to leave the label (chronicled in the documentary film Strong Enough
To Break) and launch their own independent record company, 3CG Records, in 2003.
Amidst a crumbling industry, they built their own infrastructure around a DIY attitude
and their commitment to their music and their fans. Their independent moves paid off,
building a brand that has grown with successful independent albums, singles and tours,
during a decade when music sales plummeted. In addition, launching alongside their
2007 album The Walk, they championed calls for action on humanitarian efforts,
galvanizing tens of thousands of people around the world to participate in barefoot
one-mile walks to fight HIV/AIDS and extreme poverty in sub-Saharan Africa.

Performance
Saturday, August 13
Magic City Blues at South Park
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana, 3:30 pm

Web Links
http://www.hanson.net/site/sections/1
Thinking Bout Somethin
Hanson Facebook