My impressions of T-Town (including thoughts on AdmirtalTwin's performance) . . .

Tulsa is Graceland, without the tackiness.  It's visiting Walden Pond.  It's going to Philly to have a cheesesteak . . .

The thing is, you might have thought it was going to be Narnia or Oz or even like visiting the Holy Land.  It holds the possibility that Hanson could be just around the next corner . . .  that you might crack the code of their genius.  You plan to drink the water there . . . lots of it!! Only, Tulsa turns out to be just like places you've already been to . . . maybe hotter than those places if you're from the Midwest.   There's the community theater, the newspaper offices, the place where you celebrated your 13th birthday.  In fact, you don't see Hanson, just people selling buttons that say, "Yes, I'm from Tulsa. No, I don't know Hanson."  You consider this thought, "Maybe some people live here and never see them . . ." hmmmm . . . alarming.

Just getting back from Mayfest '99, I realized that it is exactly like the Ann Arbor Art Fair or any hometown festival involving corndogs, temporary booths and local talent.   Well, there was one difference . . . when we walked over to the Festival Stage, AdmiralTwin was there.  Standing around chatting like it was a church picnic were Brad, Jarrod, John and Mark.  They're just plain nice people.  I don't even know if there's a story in this experience.  We talked about the opening of the new Star Wars movie, their upcoming album to be released in January, and about the tour last summer.  Then we wished them the best . . . they were opening for Joan Jett that evening.

With the new record deal, what will the coming year bring for AdmiralTwin?   MTV exposure? Late night talk shows? Who knows?  I just can't wait to hear the band's witty replies in interviews.  Carson will be no match for these guys!!  I got the sense that AT would be taking whatever may come, in stride . . . treating all their fans like hometown people.  Except that, a native Tulsan whose granddaughter wears a bottle of Hanson gravel around her neck had never heard of AdmiralTwin.   After she asked why we had all traveled from out of state to be at Mayfest, we urged her to buy Unlucky.

Although, the music during the show spoke for itself -- it rocked!!  The band played all the favorites including, Dancing on the Sun, Box Under His Bed, Bridges that Cross Over Dry Land, Spelunking Through the Chaos (There is nothing like this song to showcase Jarrod's percussional -- is this a word -- genius.), Down and others.  They also revealed a possible song from their new album . . . I'm pretty sure it was called Tomorrow.  Irresistibly, the crowd was bouncing during the entire performance. 

But, of course, the highlight of the evening for me was the amazing rendition of I Don't Know All I Know.  If you've never heard this song before . . . gasp!!   When we spoke with Mark before the show, he had mentioned that it was going to be a different version of the song.  Well, it was merrier somehow than when I heard it at the Cleveland concert last summer, but also more melodic . . . is that possible? During what I like to call the Shakespearian wedding piece that always follows this song, Brad proved once again that no instrument is beyond his repertoire -- the tin whistle or flute (I'm not a music major.) was just so much fun to hear live.  They also ended the song with the same comments on the record -- "Positively pastoral." Very cool.

You may not have to go to Tulsa to hear AdmiralTwin, but if you do -- I highly recommend going with three exceptionally sweet online freinds.  They don't get much better than Stephanie, Amanda and Julie!!  You guys are the BEST!!  At the same time . . . AdmiralTwin most likely will be touring soon at a city near you.  But, if you do make it to Mayfest next year, have some lemonaide -- it's exceptionally good!

Here are my tips on how to make the most of your trip to Tulsa:

• Wear your screen name on a button that says, "Greetings! Visitor from Albertane."
• Recreate photographs from ALL available issues of MOE, the videos, album covers, etc. -- be sure to have done your research beforehand . . . advanced technology allows you to magnify the tiniest images in even the blurriest of photos for more accurate identification of specific locations.
• Obtain a digital camera and laptop to share your experiences instantly with the entire internet community.
• Everywhere you go, pause for a moment of silence to reflect, "Hanson could have stood RIGHT here!" (Deny that's what you're thinking when probed.)
• Purchase T-shirts from all Tulsa-related vendors . . . for backstage conversation starters at the next concert.
• Present your MOE card at local businesses.  Display genuine surprise when they don't accept it as a legitimate method of payment.
• Bring a guitar, a tambourine and egg shakers, then locate a 3 car garage and record a song.  (Hey, those are the main ingredients for a top of the pops, chart smasher, no?)
• While at the Blue Rose Cafe, dress as a Harley biker. After expressing disappointment that mysteriously the Blue Rose is temporarily out of T-shirts, feign bewilderment when restaurant staff asks if you're a Hanson fan. (Make mental note to investigate the screen name of the person selling these items on ebay . . . a possible connection to a Blue Rose bus boy?)
• If time allows, visit all local Wal-Marts and Big-Ks to request  "I Will Come to You" to be played over the p.a. system -- sing along.
• Take pictures of Oklahoma license plates with Hanson-related tags (Car owners' knowledge and consent -- optional) . . . IWC2U, 77 ST, TAY314  . . . bring a list of Hanson fan screen names as a reference.
• Encourage natives to tell you exactly what they were doing when Isaac got his first haircut . . . when Taylor took his first step . . . when Zac lost his first baby tooth . . .
• Plant a tree or have "Up with Tress" tattooed directly on your body.

Of course, the number one guideline is that you can't sit down . . . you have to stay standing.  And you must have a good time! You've gotta have fun!  Afterall, it is Hanson's hometown and those are the rules! Wait a minute, that's not why you came?   You came strictly to attend Mayfest. HA, only real life friends would believe that story . . .  ::grin::

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