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December 31, 1999
Time magazine's "Person of the Century?"
Albert Einstein? Anyone who hasn't heard of the many connections
between this great thinker and Hanson should head over to the
24/7 page to check them out.
December 21, 1999
Merry Christmas!! I can't think of a better way
to add a magical element to your celebration than to visit the
Hanson
Advent Calendar daily. Lee is a sensationally super
sweet Swede! It's the truth!! (c; Rock on, my dear!
See you all sometime in the next millennium as I will be home
for the Holidays this coming week.(I'll still be checking my
mail and catching up on overdue letters. (c;) Wishing you and
yours gifts that last forever!
December 19, 1999
I wrapped presents last night. Tonight we're going caroling with some friends.
And just now I read a story that is set at my alma mater, Calvin College! Does Christmas
get any better than that? Karen, you're the best! Check out her story, Journey Through
the Snow. Hope you're breathing in lots of festive air and drinking gallons of
your favorite hot beverage (except for Jay Leno, of course. ::grin::)!
December 15, 1999
So sometimes Dawson's Creek is on while I'm making pudding or baking
cookies or something like that . . . Tonight, I learned that Dawson has the EXACT same
birthday as Taylor Hanson 3/14/83! What is the likelihood of that? More proof
that at least one of the writers of this show is a Hanson fan? A guest character
mentioned that she was the mother of seven children. AND, the name of an absent
professor at the college the gang visited? Professor Taylor. hmmm . . . (c;
And did I hear the band who has been referred to as "cherubic" and
"angelic" say that they were working with a certain "Dr.
Spank"—excuse me, "the incredible Dr. Spank"? The most recent
hansonline video clip (I/T/Z at
the mixing board) seems to indicate this may be true. yet another . . . hmmm ::grin::
Apparently, there are several doctorates available for Hanson associates . . . so far the
following majors have been awarded: Treeology, Food and now, Spank. And let's not
forget the band's favorite Ph.D . . . the almighty Dr. Pepper!!
December 12, 1999
I was talking to a friend of mine about copyright issues on the Internet and I
mentioned that particular Hanson pages were attracting scrutiny due to their content.
When I spoke of this, he asked how I knew about this and I was reminded of the fact
that something that was newsworthy to me, didn't even register in the public
consciousness. That's when I realized that there just might be a mythical "Hanson
community" and that I was a member. If there's a community, isn't there a
vocabulary? Hanson fans may not be aware of the words, phrases and acronyms that are
so common to their language.
For those who are not fans, this answer key may be the annotated
version of Hanson that you've been looking for. Enjoy!
December 3, 1999
I am in constant awe at the talent that hansonfiction.com attracts. The
friends here are my oldest and dearest online acquaintances. I have always felt
honored to share space with them. I've often questioned whether or not this page
truly fits on this space dedicated to fiction writers. After much consideration, I have
decided to move "a hidden life" to riveronline.net.
I see it as stepping aside so that more budding writers can be recognized on the
amazing hf.c. Best wishes to everybody here . . . If you have bookmarked this page,
it will be moved by next month. The new URL is: http://riveronline.net/hidden.
Finally, I must pay my deepest respect to Amanda!!
She is and will continue to be a source of great inspiration as a writer. I can't
say enough about her sense of humor and how much her friendship means to me!! You're
the best, my dear!!
December 1, 1999
1-2--3-4!! Everything is different, but nothin's changed, now we're goin'
in circles . . . Wow, it's almost Christmas again!
Here's what I recollect I saw on the House of Style
retrospective edition: The guys serenade Cindy Crawford at Johnny Rockets with an a
cappella rendition of MMMBop. Later, at a record store, Cindy
says that she usually listens to female artists, but that she likes Hanson's music.
Upon hearing this remark, 11-year-old Zac asks the person he refers to as [not a fan, but
a beautiful woman], "Are you saying that we sound like chicks?"
Do you wonder what goes on behind the scenes at Space Ghost Coast to Coast?
So did I, until I was paging through that issue of Seventeen when Hanson was on
the cover and found this interview with the show's producer,
Isabel Gonzalez.
November 30, 1999
One of my fellow grad students had never heard of Hanson before and so, like a
true friend, I brought in Middle of Nowhere for him. While listening to
"Look at You," he said, "He [Taylor] sounds like Lenny Kravitz."
I gasped! For obvious reasons, this comment was a pleasant surprise to me.
When I told Austin that I would be quoting him on my webpage, he asked that his
full name not be used. ::smile:: He made this observation shortly after he
expressed shock that someone would compare Taylor and Michael Jackson's voices. So,
Austin suggested that he had been joking. I informed him that Hanson was a big fan
of Lenny and that his comment would be taken seriously by myself and other true fans. (c;
When my co-workers remarked that Hanson's music fit my
personality, happy and nice, I started to feel like Isaac in an interview. "But
have you listened to the lyrics? This song is much deeper than that."
::grin::
November 28, 1999
After the Rolling Stone article, I realized that when the band mentioned
the song "You Never Know," it was remarkable for more than just the fact that
they revealed another possible track for the next album. This is the first piece
that the band has ever credited to Taylor alone. As I see it the list of individual
authorship stands like this:
Isaac: Rain, More Than Anything, Speechless
Taylor: You Never Know
Zac: Man from Milwaukee
We saw Toy Story 2 this weekend and it was
incredible--no surprise to anyone, I'm sure. But my surprise came before the movie
when we walked into the theater and "At Christmas" was playing over the intercom
as people filled the seats, waiting for the previews to begin. I gasped, "It's
Hanson!" and several heads turned my way. I'm a devoted Celebration cinema
patron now. ::grin:: My friend had heard "Merry Christmas Baby" serenading
shoppers over the speakers at the mall this weekend as well. hmmm
A big thank-you to my sister's in-laws who searched their
corner of England for the unofficial Hanson 2000 calendar. They were planning to
give it to me for my birthday, but were not able to find it. How thoughtful are
they? I received a copy of the London Times published on the day I was born
instead. Extremely cool! Thank you!
And, oh yeah, Erica (my month-old niece) loves Hanson.
Yes, she sat listening in the cutest way to the entire album. Her mommy was
in the other room and she thought the baby had her pacifier the whole time since she was
so quiet and content. Erica's personal favorite seems to be, "With You in Your
Dreams." Her granny thought it was the thump of the base that reminded her of being
in the womb. Who knows? My theory: Erica has excellent taste in music. (Is anyone
shocked? hehe)
November 24, 1999
I saw Matt Damon on Oprah today and he gave the most intelligent answer
to the "girlfriend question" that I've heard to date: (What I remember to be his
exact words) "I just don't see how anything positive can come of putting something
like that into the public consciousness." Yay, Matt!!
Happy Thanksgiving to all those who celebrate my favorite food day this month!
Liz has struck again, and this time she has turned a corner of hansonBooks into
her very own story hour. Check out the beginning of the mini-series at Count Down. Thanks, my dear!
November 16, 1999
What I love about the new pictures and video @ hansonline? A gospel choir? A friend with a harmonica? Are those little
Christmas lights in the background? It couldn't possibly get much better than that,
could it?! (c;
Happy birthday Isaac! A very lame attempt at a limerick
(author wishes to remain anonymous for obvious reasons--hehe):
There once was a singer named Ike
Whenever he stepped to the mic
The people would listen
And their eyes would glisten
While his voice caused lightening to strike.
("Rain falling down . . .")
November 8, 1999
You probably heard Isaac mention Phish in their most recent Yahoo! Chat.
Well, Rachael made more than one astute connection between Hanson and this band on the 24/7 page. Thank you!!
I've posted a couple adorable pictures of my first niece!! She's a peach!
November 7, 1999
Why the November 25th issue of Rolling Stone is significant: The
fact that the date coincides with Thanksgiving and contains Hanson news should be apparent
to every Hanson fan. ::grin:: The fact that it's my birthday and contains
Hanson news . . . well, I won't jump to any hasty conclusions about Hanson's timing
involving the possibility of a personal birthday gift. ::cough cough:: Actually, if I
truly believed this, this issue would really be a gift from Rage Against the Machine so .
. . hmmm . . .
When Hanson mentioned that Taylor recently wrote a song
entitled, "You Never Know" I began thinking about the secrets
and lies surrounding the band. What do you know about Hanson and how did you
obtain that information?
November 4, 1999
Erin has struck again, with some amazingly obscure 24/7
observations! These involve one of my favorite movies, "That Thing You Do"
(Adam Schlesinger) and the ever popular, Lenny Kravitz. Erin deserves to win a Nancy
Drew award for sleuthing, I believe!
Speaking of amazing observations, how about this incredibly
astute reflection on names given to members of the Hanson clan? Oh, what's in a name? Do you
get the idea that I'm a huge fan of Laura's Bright and Beautiful site? ::grin::
November 3, 1999
Wow! Hanson.net has been fixed. I've always wondered what the mailbox at hansonfans@hansonline.com would look like. I
think we might be getting a glimpse into the volume and contents of their fan mail.
Or not? ::shrug::
Jedediah Purdy, a 24-year old Yale law student, has
recorded some of his reflections on our society. Compare his Age of Irony to
themes you know and love by those other homeschoolers, er, Hanson.
November 1, 1999
I was talking to a 6th grader last week. When she told me her favorite bands, I
asked about Hanson. She said she didn't think she knew who they were. Then, I realized,
she was in 3rd grade when MMMBop was released. Now, I understand if I start
talking about New Edition or the Spin Doctors, I expect blank stares from 11-year-olds,
but Hanson? hmmm . . .
This does not alarm me in the least! In fact, I don't know
what the fuss is about when people are disappointed with the latest EW picture. I love
that the focus is on the music, as upheld by faithful fans. I only hope that the EW
article doesn't give some people the idea that the faithful are only calling the band in
support of Isaac's hair. (c; For me, this time of waiting for the next album is a time to
sit back and enjoy the company of the most loyal fans—AND when we hear from the guys,
we know they're speaking to "the ones who really care."
October 30, 1999
What do you say the first day you hold your new niece in your arms? You
smell her indescribable newborn scent and don't say anything, but you do kiss her.
Erica Lynn was born yesterday to my sister and her husband. The day I learned her name,
she gave me a new one: auntie. Congratulations Julie and Mark! My sister
reminded me that, "Well, even though she wasn't born last Friday, she was born one
week after Zac's birthday." Julie is the sister mentioned in the MOE 4 Dr. Food
letter (who teases Hanson fans) . . . so this comment is quite memorable!
Also congratulations go out to Amanda for her thoughtful
question to Hanson last night in the Yahoo! Chat: If you could wish one thing for your
brothers what would it be? Zac's responses reveal his tender-heart for his brothers'
physical well-being (For Isaac: height and For Taylor: weight). How sweet is that?
October 28, 1999
Amanda pointed me in the direction of Taylor Crother's amazing slide show that I
added to the 24/7 page. (Aurora, you're a sweetie!) This prompted
me to search for a similar site for Marina Chavez—another photographer who has worked
with an impressive number of musicians, including Hanson. However, the best I could
do was come up with her most recent project which is a 16-month calendar for 98 Degrees.
(With Hanson in the studio, I guess, she still has to pay her bills somehow. ::grin::)
BTW, if anyone can get into hanson.net, would you mind
e-mailing the page entitled "a capella" in the New Album category. I have
not been able to log on in over a week and I'd love to read people's responses to this
thread. Thanks for your help! dknstormy@aol.com
**A HUGE thank you to everyone who responded! You guys are the best!**
October 27, 1999
Rats!! I don't have the Cartoon Network! Hanson's influence in my
life seems to follow a pattern. Back in 1997, I didn't have a VCR or cable and
wasn't too upset about it. But, in my new role as Fanson (latest Hanson-speak, did
you pick that up? ::grin::), I just absolutely couldn't live without either.
Then, my cute little 3 year old Macintosh fell prey to my need to access hansonline
without waiting for hours only to have insufficient memory to download the pictures. It
was soon replaced by a Pentium processor. Now . . . it's the Cartoon Network that
has me worried. Should I start a campaign to bring that channel to our state
capital?!! hmmm . . . In the meantime, there's plenty to explore at Space Ghost Coast to Coast's
official website! It's unexpected and really cool. But, have I ever doubted
the quality of Hanson's influence?
Also . . . my gosh!! What has Erin been doing?
Well, this friend of mine has been uncovering even more great Hanson associations.
Check out Sly and the Family Stone as well as the Baha Men on the 24/7
page. Even if you've already heard about Zac's birthday serenade, I promise there will be something even more surprising
about Rose Stone and her family connections.
Finally, I'm adding Chris Willman to my list of favorite
writers!! "Where the Boys Are" from the October 29, 1999 edition of Entertainment
Weekly is journalism at its finest. My favorite passage, because it
encapsulates conversations I've had with my friends (fellow 20-something's) about Hanson:
". . . [You could say] Hanson's sound is maturing. Yet
there was already a fair amount of adolescent sophistication in their 1997 debut, Middle
of Nowhere—seriously, have Sugar Ray, Sting, Diane Warren, or Madonna written a
catchier melody or more pungent lyric in recent years than "MMMBop"?—so you
hope the brothers don't grow too quickly out of their preternaturally
accomplished pop-soul."
October 25, 1999
What a big Hanson day for me!! MOE 6 arrived and I
was able to watch Space Ghost! It really doesn't get much better than that.
::grin:: I think Space Ghost might have a new fan in my brother-in-law.
He caught it while taping it for me last Friday. Although not a fan of their
music, Mark enjoys the same musicians as Hanson (Aerosmith--the old stuff, Sheryl Crow,
Jonny Lang—I could go on and on.) and the same books ("The Fellowship of the
Rings" by J.R.R. Tokien) and now it seems, the same cartoon show. He plays the
guitar . . . What next? He's suiting up for laser tag and shooting Super Soakers?
hehe
I loved Space Ghost! It was like watching a
wacky fanfic episode in action. The fact that a cartoon character addressed the guys
by name was kind of bizarre. I felt like I was stepping into a Hanson TGIF routine,
like this was a show the clan gathered to watch in the family room while pulling off
slices of pizza and sloshing pop into cups on the coffee table. Did Hanson help
write their lines? Did they really compose that "boom boom boom boom"
song? Did Taylor really know what he meant when he kept asking to be shot
"little lower, little lower?" hmmm . . .
AND, my friend Laura has written something that has made me
weep!! It is something that after you read it, you will wonder, "How beautiful
is that?" and wish in some small way that you had been able to say those things in
the same amazingly articulate way. I hesitate to send you over for fear you won't be
back, but this can not be missed: The Why!
October 23, 1999
My little niece or nephew did not want to share a birthday with Zac Hanson.
Although I thought it would be clever of him/her, it's probably best that s/he has
a day all to him or herself! Whew . . . I can't wait to be able to say either him or
her definitely!! The good news is that my brother-in-law was not at the hospital
last night and so was able to tape "Space Ghost" for me, since my cable company
does not carry the Cartoon Network for some unexplainable reason. So, more on that
when I get a chance to see it.
Happy Birthday Zac!! May all your days be merry and
bright!
October 19, 1999
I was watching a video on the Eiffel Tower recently and the PBS voice-over man
said that its wide open structure gives visitors the sensation that they're in the
"middle of nowhere" while riding the elevators to the top. ::grin::
Strange flashbacks from a couple of videos, possibly involving a way too close camera
angle, flooded my mind's eye for a second. (c;
Also . . . hooray for hanson.net. There's too many
users on it right now, but earlier I was able to post some thoughts on a possible album
cover for the upcoming release. (Photo vs. design . . . or both?)
October 13, 1999
I'm a Hanson missionary? My buddy, Amanda, has politely eluded to this
possibility in conversation. But, until now there's been no proof. Well, this
week I "loaned" my spare copy of Middle of Nowhere to a fellow writing
consultant. She's from Russia and had never heard of Hanson before. The undergrads
at the Writing Center, have labeled my Hanson appreciation "one of my deep, dark
secrets." I deny this since, well, obviously it's public knowledge at this
point. ::grin::
Anyway . . . what do Jedediah Purdy, the 24-year old Yale
law student who authored For Common Things and Hanson have in common?
According to the September 20, 1999 issue of Time magazine, "[Jedediah is] a
walking advertisement for home schooling . . ." Draw your own conclusions. (c:
October 5, 1999
A good friend inspired me to do something I've been meaning to do for such a long
time: Give hansonBooks a whole new look (While you're
there, be sure to check out The Stand—it's truly
unforgettable!). In return, how can I ever express gratitude for the hours of
riveting story-telling Nick is responsible for bringing into my life?! I'm sure
anyone who has ever stumbled onto this page, has certainly read the latest from this
amazing author: My Little
Blonde Friend. Nick, you're "nothing but the best!" (Wait, you didn't
write that, did you? ::grin::)
October 3, 1999
Who needs Cliff's Notes when there's Hanson? Kimberly has submitted a
killer version of the band's insights into The Scarlet Letter.
HansonBooks proudly presents this Nathaniel Hawthorne classic—Enjoy!
October 2, 1999
It's October!! Whoa!! I usually break out Snowed In on
November 1st, but . . . what the hey!! Can you put space and time limits on a
masterpiece? hehe Anyway, the big news is that my first niece or nephew is
scheduled to arrive very close to a certain band member's birthday this month. My
sister and brother-in-law groan whenever I mention that October 22nd would be a cool day
for the baby to be born . . . but who knows? Could happen.
Anyway, love this story by my good buddy Laura: Growing Pains. It's probably
one of my favorites and in the same vein as In the Show.
Happy Autumn to all the Northern Hemispherians! (Love this season!)
September 26, 1999
Tonight I caught part of the VH1 tribute to the music of Saturday Night Live
in honor of this show's 25th Anniversary. According to Cheri Oteri, Hanson requested
comic books and Pokémon in their
dressing rooms (She mentioned another request for 2 [censored] "ladies of the
night" each—but then said she was just kidding. he-he-he-->Now that's
funny, Cheri!! So hilarious . . . [cough cough]). Has anyone else wondered why, when
confronted with terrorists, Taylor and Isaac use Zac as a human shield in that elevator
skit? ::chuckle::
September 25, 1999
Dave Holmes again keeps the Hanson spirit alive by sympathizing with the band.
This man realizes what a hardship some fans have when singing along with the lyrics
of MMMBop. On a rerun of Say What, Karaoke I caught today, he
introduced Star and Bucwild as the accuracy judges by saying, "These are two guys you
would never catch at a Hanson concert." How true it is . . . wait, am I missing
something?
September 22, 1999
When I heard all the buzz about the guys' hair. . . (Stop me, before I completely
morph into Dr. Pun of Dorkshire.), I wondered, "Did their haircuts suddenly reveal
huge harry connicks on their necks or something?" (Now I'm speaking
Hansonese--Yikes!). Since I'm partial to my own cut, of course, I have to say that
Taylor's new look is AMAZING. haha Isaac's hair is just so . . . RIGHT for
him!! As Zac continues to ask from behind the scenes, "Do you want to see
somethin', do ya'?" I'll wait patiently to comment on his trip to the barber shop.
Speaking of which, I'd love to hear an a cappella number on the next album . . .
Check out this radical (80s speak) picture
of Hanson from TAGazette.
September 15, 1999
Liz is back again with a cool new discussion on yet another book I haven't read: Countdown by Daniel Parker. So, for all the Australian fans, I
dedicate this newest edition of HansonBooks to you. A huge thank you to Liz!!
September 14, 1999
I've found some fabulous eyewitness accounts of people who
have worked with the band. As Hanson is again, hard at work in the studio, these
words of praise from past collaborators are still echoing across space and time. (A thank
you to Amanda for springboarding the research for this project.)
September 7, 1999
After purchasing a new car due to the fact that my stereo died on my old one
(Okay, that wasn't the only reason for the new vehicle, but it was a major factor . . .
::chuckle::), I was able to listen to 3 Car Garage while driving home from a
weekend of sailing up in Northern Michigan. I have always been lulled into thinking
of Stories as a "near a cappella" piece due to the boys' snapping at
the beginning and the a cappella at the end. However, I realized, this song is like
a musical Trojan Horse--it's packed with more instruments than you can imagine.
Check this out:
- guitar and harmonica (Louis Drapp)
- B3--an
organ, I think (Craig Harmon)
- bass (Lewis Harris)
- piccolo (Dana Higbee)
Of course, the band provides their usual contributions as
well. Amazing, no?
September 1, 1999
My friend Megan wrote to say that she had posted an online review of Tim McGraw at
amazon.com. I didn't realize that this site allows visitors to post reviews of
albums. How had I missed yet another opportunity to commit my opinions to
cyberspace? hmmm . . . Well, for all of you who are keeping the torch lit for the
band, check out Hanson @ amazon.com. You can rate albums on a five star system as well as
post a few words. I was amused by the lame "one star" reviews. I guess, some
people have waaay too much time on their hands. (Why are you looking at me that way?
::grin::)
Tonight's Dawson's Creek featured Taylor and Isaac
in posters from the 1998 calendar in the bedroom of a younger sister of one of the gang's
friends. It was a rerun, but new to me. It was weird to see Katie Holmes speaking
against the backdrop of the posters because it reminded me of when she actually met the
band at the Skywalker Ranch for the screening of Phantom Menace.
August 31, 1999
I'm smacking my head right now, because once again a reader to this page has
provided proof that my initial observations are sometimes inaccurate--shocking, no?
hehe Anyway, regarding my opinion that Taylor wrote the "In the Studio"
section of MOE 5, Kim
writes:
I wanted to let you know that the Hanson that wrote
"In the Studio" was actually Isaac. No this isn't my opinion :) it's a fact. If
you look at the bottom left hand corner of the thingy..you can see Isaac's siggy! :)
Wait..It might be on the bottom right hand corner of the page before "In the
Studio" Have a wonderful day!!!!!
A big round of applause for Kim . . . merci.
August 25, 1999
Jessica sent a link to a really cool new contribution to the 24/7 page. Who the
heck is Jenny Labow? And what is her connection to
Hanson? Check it out. According to Jessica, Jenny also has strong roots with
Admiral Twin (and we all know about THIS band's tie to Hanson ::grin::). Jess
writes: [Jenny] sang guest vocals on the Admiral Twin song "Down" on Unlucky..
the "You thought your life was your own to do what you want.." etc. part.. near
the end. (Jessica, you're awesome!)
August 23, 1999
After all this time, my friend Julie introduced
me to a new perspective on Surely as the Sun. She suggested that it could
be interpreted as a prayer, an assurance of "the love from above." I had
never thought of it that way, and listening to it again with that in mind—whoa,
that's deep! Julie . . . thanks.
August 18, 1999
The very talented artist of MOE5 "Netpick"
fame has just sent me a preview of something that
will be arriving in my mailbox very soon. Check it out, it's amazing!! Thanks
Monica!
August 17, 1999
I just love hearing from anybody who stumbles across the hansonBooks page (Book
discussions Hanson might have on literature)! These past few weeks have seen a
flurry of activity. Three authors have generously submitted contributions. I
give you the first of these by Nick who is now a famous name in fanfic for his
action-packed trilogy that began with a hi-jacking in Zac Says Tay . . . Check
out The Stand by Stephen King.
I've also uncapped my fountain pen for a short story that
I'm calling In the Show. I'd love to hear your
reactions. (c:
August 16, 1999
My good friend Karen has great taste in music and she's constantly sharpening my
music sensibility. In a recent discussion we were discussing old favorites.
She has posted a dream
list of songs that she and others would love to hear Hanson cover. Well, one of
my all-time favorite songs is one that I would love to be able to dedicate to
Hanson. I give you a couple lines from Drift Away by Dobie Gray (I just realized
that rhymes . .. Weird):
. . . when I'm feeling blue
Guitar's coming through to soothe me
Thanks for the joy that you've given me
I want you to know I believe in your song
Rhythm and rhyme and harmony
You've helped me along
Making me strong
August 15, 1999
Due to a tragedy involving the cassette player in my car, I have been listening
to random radio stations instead of my tapes. (Time for a new stereo?
Possibly. (c:). Anyway, I caught a weekend countdown program where the host said
callers could win "a Hanson energy drink made with Gingko Biloba . . . because
Hanson's energy is 100% real." For real? hehe
August 12, 1999
As promised I've scanned and posted some pictures from Red
Rocks. There's, eh, an interesting picture of someone hanging from some rocks . . .
that is taken behind the stage. ::grin::
August 4, 1999
I just returned from visiting a friend's family in Denver, Colorado where every
day a trip to Red Rocks was postponed until minutes before my plane departed . . . The
fact that they indulged my desire to visit one of Hanson's favorite stops on their
tour last summer was evidence of just how amazingly warm and hospitable they are!!
Thank you guys!! Red Rocks, well, simply put, ROCKS!! My friend's mom asked if
the natural theater was all that I had hoped it would be. It was, and
MOrE—specifically the cover of MOE3. (Oh geeze—did I say that? ::grin::)
The natural rock formations jut majestically up towards the sky, allowing a visual and
acoustic wonder that must be experienced before you can fully appreciate its glory.
Currently, the theater's wooden bench seats
are being replaced by stadium chairs. The seats are general admission, so the best
rows are first come first served . . . Rock on!
July 28, 1999
My crazy little idea to post obscure Hanson associations has sparked the
imagination of some really cool page visitors. Once again, the 24/7
page has some new connections. This time involving Athenaeum (My album is right here
and so I'm checking the spelling. ::grin::) and a Canadian connection through Desmond
Child. Keep them coming!!
Thanks Erin and Kerry!
July 18, 1999
I just bought Power by the Tulsa-based group, Raze. There is a Hanson-connection in the album
jacket. Guess who their photographer is? . . .C. Taylor Crothers. hmmm . . .
Karen
sent in a couple more items for the 24/7 page. One involves . . . Celine Dion.
Who knew? What next? Shania Twain? (Wait, didn't they present to her at
the Blockbuster Awards—Man, you've got to get up pretty early to keep up with
Hanson!) ::grin:: Amanda also
reminded me of Ja'Marc Davis' several Hanson connections. My gratitude goes out to
my friends who are constantly expanding my musical horizons.
One final word, check out what E! Online had
to say about Hanson's performance at the 40th Annual Grammy Awards. (I know it's old
news, but I just found it, and thought it was pretty dang amusing. (c:)
July 15, 1999
This 24/7 Hanson association involves one of the notes: do re mi fa sol la ti do and a song from The Sound of Music. It was used
by Maria to teach the von Trapp children how to sing. (Scroll down the 24/7 page to locate "Sound of Music.")
July 14, 1999
While at a used record store in Flagstaff a few weeks ago, I wanted to check out
an old Cars album to experience Ric Ocasek's music style. Unfortunately,
the listening station was dictated by an odd color coding, and I couldn't hear that
particular album. Too bad, so sad for him—well, probably for me, since I missed out
on his talent. But, I guess at least 3 songs on the next album will be partially
influenced by him.
However, when denied the opportunity to hear
Ric, the alphabetic filing lead me to Joe "King" Carrasco and the Crowns. This
is the band recommended by Steve Greenburg in MOE 4. Their music is fun, light and the
kind of tunes you might hear while savoring a burrito as you sit outside of a family-owned
restaurant. If you've heard this band before, I'd love to hear your impressions of
them, I'm very curious.
Erin has
sent in some super observations for the living page, and also
one about the Stone Temple Pilots and their Hanson connection.
Thanks!!
July 12, 1999
According to Erin, who met Hanson at the World Cup, those people that I
thought were Hanson's siblings were definitely NOT them at all. I think I should
just retire from making any more "observations" on the family. ::grin::
Thanks for clearing things up, Erin! Her letter:
No, Mackie wasn't wearing a bandana; he was
wearing a red and blue striped shirt, khaki cargo pants, and black airwalks (dressed very
much like his brothers). He was also carrying a stuffed frog. His hair is quite a bit
shorter than it was before. He is quite an adorable kid. I have the cutest memory of
Taylor carrying him into the van as they were about to leave. —Erin
July 11, 1999
Yay USA!! World Cup Champs—You guys are UNbelievable!!
Congratulations!! And thank you ABC!!
It's been quite a Hanson weekend for
everybody!! I was literally choked up with emotion, considering the wave of support
Hanson received as fans flooded ABC with their pleas to broadcast the singing of the
National Anthem. I've been known to look perplexed when people burst into tears upon
meeting Hanson, but the opportunity to convince a network to change their plans was a
chilling display of devotion for the band. And it was all worth it!! Let me
tell you about two Hanson-related incidents that occurred in a normal Saturday evening out
with friends:
As many of my friends find my appreciation
for the band puzzling at best, I owe ABC a personal thanks; since Hanson's nationally
broadcast performance exposed a friend of mine to the band for apparently the first time
(I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt there.). It caused him to remark,
"Hanson really are good singers." He looked genuinely astonished as he
said this. Of course, I made every effort to keep from looking smug.
A new friend joined us for the
evening. She had just moved back from the south last year. My dear friend,
Betsy, had talked to her earlier in the day, and when I arrived, she said, "Jackie,
in another bizarre twist that would only happen in your life, who do you think were Amy's
neighbors for awhile in Arlington?" My mind was racing, "Hmmm . . . This
would be totally obscure, but I do know that Zac was born in VA." I said,
"It couldn't be the Hansons?" Well, yes, Hansons were her neighbors up
the street for a time in the Eighties. Amy did not know them personally but
definitely heard them sing around town. However, she had only this to say about
them, "They were those people with those kids who loved to sing. Didn't they do
that Doo-Wop song?" When Betsy's boyfriend heard the news, he said,
"Don't tell Jackie! This could get out of control!!" (He likes to tease
me, can you tell? haha) Amy also thoroughly enjoyed having the opportunity to hear
Hanson sing again.
And finally, a HUGE thanks to Lisa of the
indomitable Hanson Hotel, for helping me with my
homework for my multi-media homepage course. I now know how to post streaming audio
of the evolution of Hanson's sound, which you can check out at my school website—I'm
actually getting a grade for this, can you believe it? ::grin::
P.S. My own comments about the WWC
performance, "Incredible!! Hanson, did such a nice job, didn't they?" To
which my roommate (again, none of my real life friends are Hanson fans) replied,
"They always do!" Awww . . . It was a good thing for the pilots of those
jet planes that Hanson fans didn't know they were planning to drown them out at the end of
the anthem . . . those men and women might have had the same hectic three days as the
people at ABC experienced.(c;
I've been known to be completely wrong in my
wild assumptions, but did anyone else think they saw Jessica, Avery and Mackenzie (in a
bandanna and looking very much like a young Taylor) during the opening segment of the
World Cup?
July 8, 1999
I just had to throw in my six pence when I heard that ABC had decided not to air
the singing of our National Anthem during halftime of the Women's World
Cup soccer match. Well, I would never underestimate the sheer force that Hanson
fans wield when robbed of the opportunity to hear the band sing.
July 6, 1999
It's been one week since—I looked at you . . . Oops, wrong band . .
.hehe—I've been online, watched t.v. or listened to Middle of Nowhere.
::gasp:: Was I abducted by aliens? I wouldn't be able to reveal that
information even if it were true, now could I? Ü Seriously, I was one mile
above sea level somewhere in Arizona, attending a web training course. On the last
day, I cracked. I bought a used copy of my favorite album and a kindly classmate (a
father of five homeschooled children) offered to drive me around in his rented Explorer
which happened to have a CD player, in order that I might listen to the album. Yet
another classmate was curious about my devotion to Hanson and rode along. She is now
on her way to the record store for her own copy of, you guessed it!!
Miraculously, MOE 5
arrived before my departure. I look forward to hearing your assessment of this
entertaining magazine as well!!
June 24, 1999
Those "In the Studio" videos are priceless!! Thanks guys for
sharing the recording process with us—at least 10 seconds of it so far! Ü And
about the "Studio Pics," I've always been partial to action photos rather than
those glossy photo-shoot kind.
Videos:
"New Song Clip" reminded me of the time I kept switching my hand in a family
portrait so that my new ring would be visible in the picture. Taylor's earring took
center-stage as the 5 seconds of their new song was more like a "Name that tune"
sound byte. "Taylor at the Keyboard (For real this time—::smirk::)"
was also bloody cool. (My British accent is pretty convicing, huh?)
June 23, 1999
I was listening to "3 Car Garage" recently and came up with these
revelations:
Soldier - I finally realized that
Avery/Jessica was saying "What about the ballerina?" when Isaac sings, "He
was lonely, so lonely for a friend" for the last time. This had been a mystery
to me because I always thought she was saying, "Wasn't it raining out?" and that
didn't make sense to me. I was driving and I actually had to swerve to miss the
truth when it suddenly pulled into my lane. (Okay, that didn't really happen, but you get
the picture. ::grin::)
MMMBop - The intro, "We're
recording" always intrigued me. It struck me as sentimental, but during my same car
ride I realized, for the first time its real significance. The guys were actually
playing and singing at the same time—like it's a live performance! Why is that
so strange? Because Middle of Nowhere was recorded in the Dust Brothers'
studio, but it was mixed and remixed. Each Hanson brother recorded a line or two
possibly on their own or a sound produced at another location, would be patched in on the
final version. (I gathered all of this information from watching the "Tulsa to
Tokyo" video . . . ) When the band describes "3CG" as a "1, 2, 3 . . .
Go!" operation, that's what sets it apart from their first Mercury album. So in
that "garage" every time they heard, "We're recording . . ." they were
about to make the songs that we all know as their second independent record.
June 20, 1999
The band's wardrobe, at times, threatens to cast a shadow on conversations about
their music. I'm usually not someone to dwell on the guys' appearance, but I found a
really fun site with the bold title: I
Love Hanson's Clothes. The possibilities for a unique Hanson site are endless, it
seems!! hehe
June 12, 1999
Not only does the world of Hanson permeate our daily lives, so too, it seems the
world of fan fiction. I just saw Notting Hill, the new movie with Julia
Roberts and Hugh Grant and it's basically a fleshed out version of a fan fiction story.
You know the kind where an unassuming but highly worthy person comes into contact
with a celebrity and the celebrity can't help but fall hopelessly in love? It also
covers the difficulties of a relationship in the midst of fame—Frankly, certain
scenes reminded me of the plot from "Two World Collided" (Jenn, scriptwriting is
a viable career- option for you, my friend. ::grin::). The movie also features "Gimme
Me Lovin'" sung by the original artist—in case, you're still looking for that
direct Hanson connection.
On the same note, you know the guys are big
fans of The Phantom Menace? I just read a very thoughtful piece written by one of
its stars, Natalie Portman. For Time magazine's "100 Heroes and Icons" of
the last century, Natalie supplies her perspective on Anne Frank.
This book was also featured in hansonBooks on this page.
June 8, 1999
And now a word about how MTV and VH1 are treating Hanson during the band's
absence of new material.
I have always liked Dave Holmes, the MTV
VeeJay Contest's first runner-up . . . in the words of my good friend, Betsy, even before
Jesse was announced as the winner: "Dave's the real deal"—No offense to
Jesse, but Dave has more than proved his credibility by coming up with the concept for
shows like Video Clichés. He has used Hanson in at least two clichés
that I've seen. The one involved trains (You can guess which video was featured in
that one.), and the other—which actually ended with the full-length version of Weird—focused
on video fascination with Times Square in New York City. In fact, Dave closes this
portion of the show with this kind of comment, "Hanson, proving just how squeaky
clean Times Square has become."
My "VH1 Hanson Theory" is that this
network enjoys using Hanson as a punchline. Take for example the following
hard-hitting interview question used in teasers for their new show, Rock Candy:
(asked of a bunch of young men) "Do you think you could take Hanson in a
fight?" Also on that same show, packaged in a lunch box, a "Hanson
first-time shaving kit" was offered as a sight gag to passersby in a mall. Now on Mixology—a
new show where various videos and music are edited together to reflect a certain
theme—Hanson happens to pop up again. The segment was entitled, "Planes, Trains
and Automobiles." In once again, the Weird video, we see the guys
wandering through the subway car and then when they begin to stare at what we know to be
their "punk selves" in the window reflection, the show splices to Alanis
Morrisette sitting in the buff from her video Thank U. Then the shot
returns to Hanson . . . as if they're staring at, well, you get the picture.
hehe Later, in the final part of that piece, we see the guys in that car from the MMMBop
video—you know the one that was also used for the movie Speed 2.
Thanks MTV and VH1 for keeping the Hanson
spirit alive and kicking!! ::smirk::
June 6, 1999
My friend, Amanda's last concert experience and the Discovery Channel have
inspired a couple new entries on the twenty-four seven page.
The one involves a possible conspiracy theory and the other, the "most insane
thing Hanson has ever tried to do."
Recently, as a passenger in my car, my
roommate was forced to listen to Middle of Nowhere. She once attended
Interlochen for music—just to establish her musical credibility—and she made the
following comment while listening to A Minute Without You: "Way to go
Zac! He's singing a complete octave above his brother." This reminded me
of the guys' discussion on TT&MON when they specifically mention the layering of their
voices on that song.
June 3, 1999
The generous author of the Misery book discussion—Liz—has returned with yet another thought-provoking piece.
This time, she examines an Australian book, Letters from the Inside
by John Marsden. I have not read this book, but if Hanson's reaction in this
fictional chat is any indication, it sounds absolutely riveting. Sit back, relax and
enjoy the beginning of your summer reading list—for Northern Hemispherians . . .
::grin:: Muchas gracias, mi amiga!! (Liz has put up with my editorial comments and
has STILL agreed to contribute to this page—incredible!!)
June 1, 1999
These inspirational quotes should have obvious Hanson connections for ww.hansonline.comers
::chuckle::, but if you're still stumped, check out twenty-four seven,
a new page of shadowy Hanson connections (You know the ones you make subconsciously
throughout your day . . . Example -- You've caught a re-run of ER, "There's that lady
who was on The Howie Mandel show with the guys!" etc.):
"Not everything that can be counted
counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." — Albert
Einstein
"You do not merely want to be considered
just the best of the best. You want to be considered the only ones who do what you
do." — Jerry Garcia
May 25, 1999
As promised, here are my reflections on The Official Book
by Jarrod Gollihare. This is such old news, but I guess my trip to Tulsa has
inspired a renewed look at the humble beginnings.
May 24, 1999
Many of you may have heard of the Raze/Hanson connection from the most esteemed
of Hanson pages: The Hanson Hotel. If not,
you are going to want to check out Raze anyway
because of their groovy tunes and soulful lyrics. Their current album, That's
the Way, is like a demo tape. Power is scheduled to be released in July of
this year.
Band member, Ja'Marc (" . . . a close
friend and an important source of encouragement over the years . . . " -- from
Hanson's official book by Jarrod Gollihare) has this to say in the album jacket:
"There's no doubt in my mind that Jesus
is real! I now understand that all the love I feel for others, the peace I've found in
times of trouble, and joy undescribable stems from knowing Jesus and developing our
relationship! What's up with you and Jesus?"
May 23, 1999
After seeing Hanson on the Star Wars Episode I preview show on MTV, I was struck
by a couple of things. First of all, Zac actually nudged Taylor to cue him to speak
next. 8-) Not only that, later we were able to hear Zac say that he doesn't think Darth
Maul is a full insane person, maybe just a slight psycho freak.
Surprisingly, Taylor was willing to add his thoughts to Zac's on the question of Darth
Maul's inner wickedness . . . simply put, Darth Maul has issues. Isaac thinks the
facial paint is all just one huge cry for attention -- Where's the love? My favorite
comment about Hanson's reaction to "The Phantom Menace" was when two veejays on
MTV 1515 were discussing audience reaction at Skywalker Ranch, and one remarked,
"Within the first 5 minutes, you could hear a huge 'Wow!' from the Hansons and the
brothers began talking among themselves." Of course, the second thing I was struck by
was, oh my gosh, Zac. I guess spending your formative years as a popular musician
can triple the effect of drinking three glasses of milk a day.
With the recent Backstreet Boys takeover of
MTV due to the release of their new album Millennium, has anyone else wondered
how Hanson will choose to launch their next studio album? Send in your suggestions, I'd love to hear them. No
one is interested in my suggestion which involves multiple appearances and promotions in
the Wolverine State . . . hehe
May 18, 1999
This last weekend I was in Tulsa for Mayfest '99. I met up with three of my
online buddies (Stephanie, Amanda and Julie who are unbelievably sweet and also a little
crazy . . . but who's talking, right?) to check out the event where it all began (Think
Hanson in leather coats and shades, "Summertime Blues" etc.). Here are some
preliminary pictures: Mayfest. (For even more Mayfest action,
watch for Mr. Bojangles diary to be posted sometime in the near future.) I've also written
up some reflections on my first time in Tulsa, along with a few guidelines to make your
own trip there more meanginful: Tulsa Tips.
May 2, 1999
I looked at the calendar and realized, "Man, it's been two years since Middle
of Nowhere!" So, as the days go by, it seems that I . . . have absolutely
nothing new to say. In an attempt to share my earliest Hanson memories with you, I've
decided to post the first Hanson article I came across, along with comments inspired by it
as I take a stroll down memory lane. Here it is from the highly esteemed (cough,
cough) Time magazine: Rocking the Cradle.
BTW, the reason I was recently reminded of
this article is because of something that happened last week. A friend of mine came
over to visit. I have a bulletin board of quotes and favorite pictures that hangs
just above my desk. When he saw a snapshot of Zac Hanson (taken by my buddy, Paige),
he said, "Who is that cute girl?" If you haven't read the article yet, the
connection between it and this comment will become clear afterwards. ::smile::
Another note to add to your to-do list, check out: Boomerang Argentina - USA.
April 22, 1999
I have spent much of the past few days in horror and in tears over the tragedy in
Colorado. My heart, along with my prayers go out to the community of Littleton and young
people everywhere as they grieve the loss of innocence. Here are some poignant thoughts
written by a friend, a sophomore in a nearby high school. She has generously offered
her perspective for anyone who still believes in hope: a page from a
notebook.
"Do not forget that the value . . . of life is not so much to do conspicuous things .
. . as to do ordinary things with the perception of their enormous value." — Teilhard
De Chardin
We are all closer to the solution to these
tragedies than we think.
April 16, 1999
Thanks once again to Amanda, I'm adding a new brilliantly conceived page to the
links. Preview it here (unless you no longer wear white jeans as I frequently do --
an obscure reference to "Never Been Kissed" -- and have been to this page since
its first appearance. ;-D): Hanson
in clay-o-vision.
April 13, 1999
Hanson's name comes up again in this week's Time magazine in "The
Drawing Board" cartoon by Don Asmussend. The cartoon lampoons Ovitz,
responsible for several recent "boy bands" (He has NO connection to Hanson!).
The first frame displays the front page from a fictional Daily Bugle with
the headline: "3 Incan Mummy Children Discovered, signed by Ovitz -- 500-year-old
sacrifices are most promising discovery since 'Hanson,' say experts.
(p.3)"
The rest of the page includes soundbytes such as, "No
Milli Vanilli," says producer, "The vocals are theirs"; and "Blue
Incan is gay," says Falwell. The next frame shows the frozen Incan mummy
"singing sensations" featured on the cover of Teen Beat ("Who is
the cutest mummy?") and being interviewed by Oprah. In the last frame, Britney
Spears is sacrificed to the gods, as the cartoonist observes, "The cycle must
continue."
April 12, 1999
I was not able to keep silent. In the hope that by not talking about it I
could make it go away, I did not initially post my thoughts on a recent publication about
Hanson. Although I sent it back to the publisher, this book continues to haunt me . . .
Here are my thoughts regarding Ravi's controversial book: the way you
talk around me. (I will post thoughts on Jarrod's Official book in the near
future as well -- BTW, I don't have a problem with that publication.)
April 10, 1999
Is it actually possible that hansonfiction.com
has risen from the ashes and is now flying, Phoenix-like back into space?! Yes. I'm
looking forward to hearing from you guys again! I'll be in Tulsa for Mayfest next month --
feel free to drop me a line if you're headed that
way as well. (c:
There's a new link in the "Ecuador, Venezuela,
Trinidad" category.
March 21, 1999
Are you in middle or high school and do you publish a web page? Well then,
I'm looking for your amazing insights for a research paper I'm writing. If you're
interested in helping out, check out this survey.
Jaime (A member of
Hanson's exclusive "chat room" from MOE? Maybe, maybe not . . . ::grin::)
wrote to say this about writing, which I think is very cool:
" . . . my method involves an idea kind of starting as
a little blur in my mind . . . I ignore it and let it slosh around for awhile . . . by the
time I start writing, I already have the framework all figured out, and I just need the
words. Like (Hanson) said, there's no strict method."
And finally, a tiramisu recipe tip when making the Jeff
Smith, "Frugal Gourmet" version of this dessert: After making tiramisu
today, I realized there's an ambiguity in the recipe. In the directions, Steps #2-4 are
unclear about what portion of the espresso/brandy/sugar mix should be blended with the
cheese. I reserved the 1/3 cup and used that to soak the ladyfingers. However, I believe
that the 1/3 cup should be blended with the cheese. The rest of the mixture should be used
for dipping. Happy baking!
March 18, 1999
There is a book by Jonathan Kozol that has repeatedly brought me to tears.
I share it with you in the form of a Hanson book discussion in the hope that you too may
appreciate its power some day: amazing grace — the lives of
children and the conscience of a nation.
March 10, 1999
As the celebrated 3/14 approaches, here's a link to even more reasons to
appreciate this day: taylor, einstein and pi day (This is
something that's been on this page for awhile, but I thought I'd bring it to your
attention this week.)
March 7, 1999
My MOE has arrived and I've written up some impressions of this issue for anyone
interested: MOE 4. Plus, I've posted some pictures of
my sisters and me: sisters. (Don't be afraid . . . it's
not too scary. ;-D)
And finally, in this week before Taylor's birthday, Amanda
sent me this great link to commemorate his sweet sixteen. Enjoy!
March 5, 1999
I want to thank all of you thoughtful MOE members who have written to let me know
that a letter I wrote to Dr. Food is appearing in the current issue. I'm stunned, as
you can imagine. But, when you really think about it, it's not about any particular letter
-- but the fact that Hanson really does care about their fans. This includes YOU and
every one of their MOE members. How cool is that? Thanks guys!! (BTW, at this
point, my copy is still on its way. (c: )
February 24, 1999
The idea of adding Shakespeare to HansonBooks has been brewing for awhile.
Well, after a lot of thought about how to handle these great works intelligently, I've
finally come up with something I hope you will enjoy. Check out The
Merchant of Venice.
February 23, 1999
My deepest sympathies to Hanson about Wicket . . . we all know she'll be with
them in their dreams though. The album I turn to in my bluest times is 3 Car Garage. In the tradition of past reviews that have taken me
about a year to post, I have just written up my thoughts on this album. Of course,
there are some updates on the living page due to the Yahoo! chat
last night.
February 14, 1999
Happy Valentine's Day!! I added a very small bit of trivia about MMMBop
that I'm almost sure you haven't heard before. Check it out at the bottom of School House Rock.
February 10, 1999
Welcome to my new space on "hansonfiction.com" -- I'm still in the
process of moving, so there's boxes that haven't been unpacked yet (as you've probably
noticed). It's an honor to be in the company of amazing hansonfiction writers.
These three are among my oldest online buddies: Amanda (Where do I begin to thank
her -- this is someone who said she thought my family seemed "Hanson
friendly."), Jenn (Someone who has always been a great support.), and Karen (A writer
whose excellence I've come to respect and admire.).
February 3, 1999
Another Hanson connection and mention in the February 8, 1999 issue of Time (Yes,
I'm a subscriber.). In the cover story article entitled, "Hip-Hop Nation,"
Christopher John Farley writes: "Nonblack performers are increasingly drawing from
rap. Beck expertly combined folk and hip-hop. Hanson's hit MMMBop included deejay
scratching . . . (Doug Century) predicts white acts will eventually dominate rap, just as
white rockers pushed out rock's black forerunners . . ." (Something for us all to
ponder -- grin).
On a similar note, I found out how Puffy got his nickname:
Sean apparently has a hot temper -- according to people who have worked with him. Comb's
huffing and puffing earned him his nickname. And here's a quote from Puff Daddy that
amused me: "If I learned to play an instrument, it would take away from what I do,
which is to listen and let the feelings come and absorb them. Then I can say, 'Put that
beat there, do this, do that.'"
January 27, 1999
Whenever Time magazine mentions Hanson, it seems as though they just don't want to
take them seriously. The newest issue of the magazine contains an article about The
Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync entitled, "Big Poppa's Bubble Gum Machine." The
opening sentences read as follows:
"Advice for the modern teen idol: there's more to it
than just cashing royalty checks and autographing training bras. There are difficult
issues that must be faced. For instance, some toy company may want to measure your face so
that it can manufacture dolls with your likeness. You could make a lot of money selling
them to your youngest fans, but then your older fans--the 12- and 13-year olds--would
think you're babyish and move on to Hanson." (Bruce Handy and Timothy Roche, Time
February 1, 1999)
I guess they're just having a little fun with the whole
teen idol thing. hmmm Consider the very first article on Hanson called, "Rocking the
Cradle: Kiddie-pop acts like Hanson are hitting the charts. Where's Dr. Spock when you
need him?":
"Like Radish and Lang, Hanson writes or co-writes its
material. It's unfortunate, however, that all three acts have come up with immature,
mediocre albums that are as much fun as a wet sandbox. Each album has its moments, but
they are fleeting. The marvelous "MMMBop" is the only really substantial song on
Hanson's album (it's one of two tracks on the CD produced by the highly regarded Dust
Brothers)." (Christopher John Farley, Time May 19, 1997)
Isn't the only way to build a really cool sand castle is to
have wet sand? Just wondering . . .
January 24, 1999
VH1 ran a “Rock ‘n Roll Jeopardy” Marathon this Saturday. It’s fun to
predict which categories might contain Hanson-related material. All headings with the word
“family” or “brothers” in them have obvious potential. Sometimes the
number “3” in the title is a possibility. For example: “It’s all about
3” – Each answer contains a band with three members. Name the members (The
Police and Green Day appeared in the one I saw.). Finally, a category listed as “Say
What?” asked for questions about songs that contain lyrics such as “Doo wa diddy
diddy dum diddy doo” and “Shoop Shoop Shoop ba Doop” (I’m not sure
that’s 100% accurate for the Salt ‘n Peppa song from “Waiting to
Exhale.”). The $500 answer stumped everyone: “This song contains the line: When
you get old and start losing your hair, can you tell me who will still care?” When
the host finally said, “MMMBop” since no one had buzzed in, there was an unusual
reaction. The people did not give that familiar grim nod of, "I’ll have to file
that away for future reference” or the grimace that says, “Shoot! I knew
that!” The contestants and the audience all began laughing. Hmmm . . . Why? Is it
because they had all heard the song, but couldn’t make out the lyrics since
they’re a little difficult to understand without the album jacket? I’d love to
hear your opinions on this. (grin)
Here's an answer to a question you might have asked Dr. Food if you received the
Albertane issue of MOE. Yum!
January 20, 1999
I'm stunned! Someone actually took my fear of Stephen King seriously and submitted a
discussion on his book Misery.
For all you readers of scary novels, grab your favorite pillow or blanket and snuggle up
for a good read. Thanks Liz!
January 14, 1999
I keep catching the "Pop-Up Video" version of "Weird" a couple seconds
after it begins, so I miss the opening train part. But, for those of you who do not get
VH1, here's my opinion of this pop-up version: (sigh). It's time for me to stop taking
seriously comments like: "It was the punks' idea to beat the "@$%*!" out of
Hanson" and "Ritalin is the most commonly prescribed drug for hyperactive
children. Common side effects include loss of appetite, insomnia and facial tics (with the
camera on Taylor as he really gets into the end of the song) And feeling weird." You
remember how Taylor teased Zac that they wanted to name the song "Zac" instead
of "Weird" -- and Zac said it had the same meaning? (On VH1's "Save the
Music") Well, the pop-up guys also believe these words have the same meaning by
listing several of Zac's weird habits: impersonating Tarzan and Chris Farley, drawing
cartoons with ketchup and mustard, collecting miniature shampoo bottles, burping while he
talks, and swimming in his clothes . . . to name a few (Do all of these shows read
"BOP" as a fact-checking publication?). Anyway, I'd love to hear what you
thought of this version of the video.
NOTE: At the end, the Pop-Up authors mention that they ran
into Hanson backstage at Oprah (in Texas) and the band decided not to meet with them. Some
of the comments in "Weird" may be the result of the authors STILL feeling
slightly miffed by this. ;-D
Page corrections: After speaking with a Tulsa source, I
realized it is NOT Jessica Hanson pictured at the back of the last issue of MOE (in the
scene with Jenny McCarthy.). To add to that Hanson mis-identification -- my assumption
that Mrs. Hanson strolls by at the end of FANatic is also WRONG! The woman who walks by is
the woman identified in a picture in a Scholastic unofficial biography as Diana Hanson.
That's why this biography is UNofficial. It's just plain incorrect. Diana's hair is much,
much longer (if I was paying attention during the first half of "Road to
Albertane" I would have saved myself the embarrassment.)
And finally, the author of Motherbird's Hanson Site just
let me know that she was linking to this page. Thank you! For the love of Pete, go and
visit!
January 6, 1999
In a conversation with Jenn, I realized I lived several Hanson FAQ moments this past
Holiday season. At least three of my relatives asked me if Hanson's siblings plan to join
the band. Am I their personal spokesperson? -- If so, I guess answering original
questions is not part of the deal. (grin) Ever wondered what it would be like to sit in a
classroom with the band? Why not check out Lessons from the Middle of Nowhere?
Also, were you kind of bummed that you didn't win the Oklahoma Today contest at
Hansonline? Well, you can order yourself a copy of the issue at Oklahoma Today: Hanson. I've
also posted the last of the year's thoughts on Hanson's appearances: Speechless and Where's the Love. And finally,
there is (gasp!) a new poetry submission to the Songwriting Contest page
-- Check it out! Renata offered the poem she entered in the contest to be published here
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