Hanson

After years of honing their skills around the dinner table, singing the likes of Jackson 5, Chuck Berry and other staples of rock, R&B and gospel, the Hanson brothers made their debut performance at the 1992 Mayfest Arts Festival in Tulsa. Shortly after a performance at South By Southwest, Hanson impressed music attorney Christopher Sabec enough for him to become their manager and in waiting for a label contract, released the pop-infused full-length “Boomerang” in 1995. After the release the brothers began playing their own instruments, which radically improved the band’s songwriting and led to Hanson appealing to a wider, hipper audience. The independent album “MMMBop” followed in 1996, featuring a number of songs which found their way onto Hanson’s label debut “Middle of Nowhere”.

After a performance at the Wisconsin State Fair, A&R representative Steve Greenberg instantly signed Hanson to Mercury Records and recruited the Dust Brothers to produce their first album. “Middle of Nowhere” arrived in May 1997, mixing pop sensibilities with hip production and a fierce publicity machine. Charting in over 25 countries, selling over 10 million copies worldwide, the album proved to be the band’s commercial breakthrough, turning the brothers into teen idols. The band were subsequently nominated for three Grammy Awards in 1998, released the Christmas album “Snowed In”, and embarked on the extensive Albertane Tour, playing at stadiums and arenas across the U.S.

Following Island Records’ merger with Def Jam, Hanson released their sophomore album “This Time Around” in 2000, however it lacked the promotional funding of their debut. Ultimately sales for the album were low and Island Def Jam pulled the capital for a subsequent tour, and the brothers were forced to tour on their own funds. After leaving Island Def Jam due to lack of creative freedom, Hanson released the documentary film “Strong Enough to Break” in which the brothers discuss their difficulties with the label. Prior to the release of their third full-length, “Underneath” on their own label 3CG Records, Hanson embarked on an acoustic tour ending at a show at Carnegie Hall in 2003. “Underneath” was released on April 20, 2004, topping the Billboard Top Independent Albums chart and charting at No. 25 on the Billboard 200 – an impressive feat for an independent act.

To promote their forthcoming album “The Walk” Hanson went on a preview tour, performing at a number of venues within six days followed by question and answer sessions. “The Walk” was eventually released in July 2007 on 3CG Records and earned positive reviews from the musical press. Shortly afterwards the band rerecorded their “Middle Of Nowhere” album with acoustic instrumentation, which was released on Hanson’s website in late 2007.

The group’s eighth studio album “Shout It Out” was issued in 2010 which was supported by a co-headlining tour alongside Hellogoodbye. Hansen subsequently released the album “Anthem” in 2013, which peaked at No. 22 on the Billboard 200, aided by the single “Get the Girl Back”.