THE HANSON BROTHERS -- Isaac, Taylor & Zachary

Tulsa, Oklahoma, probably isn't the first place that spring to most people's minds when thinking of pop music. Though the city does have a surprisingly big music scene, and a rather rich rock 'n' roll and country music history, it is much more well-known for it's oil and airplane industries than for guitarists, pianists, and songwriters it has produced over the years.

The story goes like this: There always was a lot of singing and music around the Hanson house. The guys would make up simple tune to guitar at bedtime and they would sing around the table at mealtimes. At an early age, they definitely had an ear for harmony to the amazement of friends and relatives. Soon after, the three brothers began to improvise on their own around the house, working up the '50s and '60s rock and soul song they'd come to love so much, complete with excellent harmonies, each brother singing a part. Even more impressively, it wasn't long before the boys began penning their own catchy songs.

Hanson, as they came to be called in 1993, began developing a decidedly more modern sound. What began as a 'doo-wop' threesome singing cover songs written well before they were even born, was quickly developing into a 'rhythm and blues' influenced sound, which included pop hits, as well as their own songs, in their set.

Shortly after 'Boomerang' was released, and about a year after they attended South by Southwest, the Hanson family received a call from Christopher Sabec. Christopher arrived in Tulsa the  next day in time to catch the end of a performance at a mall and see first hand the response of the local fans. He ended up staying with the family for two weeks and by the end of his visit, they had taken him on as their manager.

Hanson seemed to be charting a new course for popular music and Mercury had signed on for the gamble. Top-notch producers were sought out. As a result, the Dust Brothers and Steve Lironi were hired to man the recording consoles. Hanson would end up spending five months writing and recording 'Middle Of Nowhere' in Los Angeles, from July until November 1996.

Nothing prepared Hanson for the response 'Mmmbop' received form the public when it was released to American radio in March 1997. At best, Ike, Taylor and Zac figured that they had a decent chance of getting a hit with their debut single, given the catchiness of the song, the quality of the recording and their performances, and the promotional push given by Mercury. No one, however, could have predicted the hysteria that was about to erupt.
'Mmmbop' debuted at number 43 on Billboard's Airplay chart, a measurement of how often a song is played on American radio stations nationwide. By early June, it would hit number one in Hanson's homeland.

Hanson spent the next few week in Japan where they were greeted with crowds of enthusiastic fans and Japanese hospitality. The Japanese - long known for their love of pop music - had immediately fallen for the irresistible bounce of 'Mmmbop', upon it' release, rocketing the song into the top then. By the time Hanson arrived in Tokyo, they were already somewhat of a national sensation.

Though not nearly as exciting as their Indonesian experience, August 1997 was another busy month for Hanson. After performing to a large audience in Toronto, Canada, the guys found themselves back in New York City. They came to shoot the video for their third single, 'I Will Come To You'. Filming took place at New York's historic Beacon Theater.



"We wanted to be a Boyz II Men/Ace of Base type of group where we can sing harmony and 
dance." - Isaac Hanson

"Think about how many times you say 'weird'." -Taylor Hanson

"We would make up simple tunes to guitar and sing around the table." -Zac Hanson 

 

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