Hanson

Hanson is an American pop rock band formed by brothers Isaac Hanson, Taylor Hanson, and Zac Hanson. The multi-instrumentalist siblings began performing together as children and developed a career in pop music that spans decades. Founded in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the brothers started building a fanbase as an independent band, performing classic rock 'n' roll and soul music alongside original material. Their early influences include Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Little Richard, and Chuck Berry.

The band recorded two independent albums in Tulsa—"Boomerang" and "MMMBop"—before attracting the attention of major record labels. A performance at the South by Southwest music festival led to management and, subsequently, a contract with Mercury Records after an audition at the Wisconsin State Fair.

Hanson's major-label debut, "Middle of Nowhere," propelled the band to international recognition. The album featured the hit single "MMMBop," which reached No. 1 in 27 countries and earned three Grammy nominations. "MMMBop" was voted best single of the year in The Village Voice Pazz & Jop critics poll and topped similar polls in Rolling Stone, Spin, and VH1. VH1 also ranked it number 20 on its "100 Greatest Songs of the 90s." The band's authorized biography, "Hanson: The Official Book," reached number 9 on The New York Times Best Sellers List. Hanson has sold over 16 million records worldwide and achieved three top 20 albums in the United States.

Seeking creative control, Hanson left Island Records after a three-year struggle for artistic freedom, during which label executives rejected more than 80 of their songs. Following a record label merger that nearly halted their second album, the band founded their own independent label, 3CG Records. Their first independent release, "Underneath," became a No. 1 Billboard Independent Album and established Hanson as a leading independent band. The group was also an early adopter of digital fan engagement, launching a website and email address in 1997 and later creating Hanson.net, a paid-membership fan portal offering exclusive content.

Hanson's musical evolution includes projects such as "String Theory," an album and tour featuring orchestral arrangements in collaboration with David Campbell. This project brought the band to venues like The Greek Theater in Los Angeles and the Sydney Opera House. Hanson has continued to explore innovative release strategies, including "Against The World," which featured seven songs released consecutively each month and included a guest performance from Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick. The band is also active in philanthropy, launching the "Take the Walk" campaign alongside their album "The Walk" to support children in Africa affected by HIV/AIDS and poverty, organizing one-mile barefoot walks before shows across the United States and Canada.

With a career spanning more than 30 years—over 20 of those as independent artists—Hanson is recognized for its longevity in the pop and rock music industry. The band's sound is characterized by harmonies and a melodic style influenced by Motown, and unlike many teen pop acts, Hanson writes, plays, and performs its own music. From their debut to orchestral collaborations and independent entrepreneurship, Hanson exemplifies artistic integrity and sustained creative output in the music industry.