Hanson: Ruby Summer Concert Series

The music and entertainment industry are not known for decades-long careers from rock and pop artists. In fact their legends have codified in the mind of pop culture that few if any artists expect to claim long term success due to the highly competitive landscape and shifting sands of a trend-laden, non-artist friendly business. This makes the story of HANSON’s 32-year long career, more than 20 of it as an independent artist, all the more rare. Made up of three brothers, Isaac, Taylor and Zac from Tulsa, Oklahoma, the band broke in the late 90’s at the youthful ages of 16,14, and 11 respectively. In contrast with the time’s Alternative rock wave exemplified by Nirvana and Pearl Jam, their breakout sunny soulful organic pop was an anomaly. Lead by their infectious 1997 hit “MMMBop” which went to #1 in 27 countries, their debut multi-million selling album Middle Of Nowhere garnered three Grammy nominations. HANSON became a household name from Tulsa to Tokyo, and more than 25 years after their breakthrough are still touring the world and selling out concerts from Sydney to Los Angeles. In 2024 the story continues, and this year’s projects are helping the band mark one of the key milestones that has allowed for their longevity - their decision to found their own label and become independent once again starting with their third album in 2004. In 2004, just 7 years after the band’s debut album had rocketed them to stardom and only 4 years after their acclaimed second album This Time Around, the band faced the fracture of the label that signed them, Mercury, due to the largest music merger in history between parent company Polygram, and Universal, leaving the band in an increasingly corporate environment at their new label Island DefJam. With a global name, an active online community built by the band outside of label control, and a full third album recorded, the band was ready to leave the backdrop of a major record label and establish a brand-new independent company to r