How did you celebrate Bob Weir Day? Mayor, Hanson threw down at Cain's
By MATT GLEASON World Staff Writer
5/10/2003

Thanks to Tulsa Mayor Bill LaFortune, Thursday was the best Bob Weir Day I ever had.

During a 30-minute break in Weir's three-hour show at the Cain's Ballroom, LaFortune -- clad in a blue tie-dyed Ratdog shirt -- sauntered up to the microphone with his daughter.

He was greeted by the horde of oh-so-groovy Ratdog fans -- some smoking more than cigarettes -- as if he were a square uncle who finally decided to wave his freak flag for all to see.

As the mayor ticked off Weir's lifetime achievements in a "special proclamation," LaFortune garnered especially loud cheers anytime he mentioned two words: "Grateful" and "Dead."

All the while, Weir cooly checked his gear and tried to not make eye contact with the crowd or LaFortune. But then the mayor announced that the remainder of May 8, 2003 -- all two hours of it -- as Bob Weir Day. Despite a lifetime of adulation, Weir -- wearing Birkenstocks and baggy shorts -- seemed genuinely happy. His big eyes widened and a grin peeked out from his bushy salt-and-pepper beard.

Weir opened the Cain's show with an acoustic version of the Beatles' "Blackbird." From there, Ratdog hardly paused while playing a myriad of Grateful Dead tunes, a smattering of original Ratdog material and a stellar cover of Bob Dylan's "When I Paint My Masterpiece."

Like the Dead, Ratdog is at its best on stage. Sure, they jam, but the madness is controlled. Weir and company don't inhibit themselves, but they also don't bore the audience with directionless jams. They are a talented band of musicians that lets tunes surge, recede and burst forth again to great effect.

Whenever Weir wasn't on the mike, sax player Kenny Brooks and keyboardist Jeff Chimenti stole the show. Although, lead guitarist Mark Karan, who eerily looks like a young Jerry Garcia, made "Scarlet Begonias" one of the most memorable tunes of the night.

After the mayor's proclamation, Weir and Ratdog continued their homage to its Grateful Dead heritage by performing Dead tunes, ranging from the slow jazz-infused tune "Lost Sailor" to its epic jam "Estimated Prophet."

By the time Ratdog played its last few songs, the Cain's audience was a sweaty conglomeration of elder Deadheads and junior hippies gleefully bouncing to Ratdog's groove.

The crowd and Ratdog were having such a good time that Taylor Hanson couldn't resist subtly slipping behind Chimenti's keyboards during the highlight of the evening, "Saint Steven." Taylor made his presence clear, though, later on as he burned up and down the piano keys. Hanson's appearance wasn't a total surprise since Weir is a fan of Hanson, and he invited the Tulsa trio to play with him at a 1999 gig in New York City.

After a rousing version of the bluesy "Not Fade Away" -- twenty minutes before the end of Bob Weir Day -- the Cain's audience beckoned Weir back on stage. Spontaneously, the hundreds of Dead/Ratdog devotees began chanting the song -- "You know my love, not fade away," clap, clap, clap-clap, "You know my love, not fade away" -- over and over until Weir reappeared on stage to sing "Goin' Down the Road Feelin' Bad."

At the end of the show, I couldn't help but think, "What an elongated, atypical journey this has been" -- or something like that.

Date: 4/25/2003

HANSON in the studio

HANSON IN THE STUDIO WORKING ON THEIR THIRD FULL-LENGTH ALBUM

Three time Grammy nominated artists Hanson, newly free of their recording contract with Island Def Jam, are currently in the studio with producer Danny Kortchmar (Billy Joel, Don Henley, Jon Bon Jovi, James Taylor, Neil Young) recording the final songs for their largely self-produced third full-length album, Underneath. The band and IDJ mutually agreed to part ways this week after not seeing eye-to-eye on the band's musical direction. Says Taylor Hanson, "Our vision for the songs and the production of this record was something we wouldn't compromise. We are thrilled to finally be able to finish the record and move forward with our career." To begin the setup of Underneath, Isaac (22), Taylor (20) and Zac (17) plan on rewarding loyal fans with an intimate club tour and corresponding online event that will showcase the new songs.

Commenting on Hanson, producer Kortchmar said, "In a flavor-of-the-minute" environment for music, I'm very happy to be able to work with a band like Hanson, who are real musicians with a strong vision of what they want to achieve artistically."

Emerging from Tulsa, OK, Hanson was originally signed by Mercury Records. They rocketed out of the gate with 1997's Middle of Nowhere, which was nominated for three Grammy's and spawned three top ten singles including the self-penned smash hit "MMMBop" that went to number one in 27 countries. Through a series of corporate mergers following their debut album, Hanson's recording contract was assigned to Island Def Jam, where they released the critically acclaimed album, This Time Around with hits; "This Time Around" and "If Only."

The band is widely credited with inspiring the current wave of young musicians and helping launch the career of Michelle Branch, who was signed while opening for Hanson's 2000 Tour. Chart-topper Avril Lavigne stated in a recent Rolling Stone interview that she was "influenced especially by the Goo Goo Dolls, Matchbox 20 and especially Hanson"

Since their debut album Hanson has sold over 15 million records.

From Hanson.net .

Zac and Taylor sighted at an afterparty for a Phantom Planet concert at the Roxy in London on March 2. At this link it's under March 4, 2002. And yes, Ike wasn't there.

Hanson.net Gazette is no longer. As of March 1, 2002 the Gazette has ceased to exist. There will be one to replace it soon but I'm not sure of a date yet or a name so just be on the look out for a replacement.

The following was posted on Hanson.net on February 27, 2002:

02.27 WHERE ARE THEY? Hanson have been hard at work on their new soon-to-be-released album. They will be traveling to London soon to finish up recording. Expect to hear alot more about the album in about 3 - 5 weeks.

The release date for the movie Frank McClusky, C.I. is April 26, 2002 in which Hanson has a cameo performing a new song called "Get Up And Go". Hansonline news

The American TV show, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, will feature Hanson's new single, "Strong Enough to Break", on the January 11, 2002 episode.

Pop group Hanson will also appear in the episode and play a song from the band's forthcoming CD. Isaac Hanson plays the ex-boyfriend of Roxie (Soleil Moon Frye), surprising her with an impromptu song with his brothers at a soup kitchen where Roxie does volunteer work. - courtesey of Hanson Hotel

December 11, 2001, Hanson did a radio interview in L.A. on the Mark and Brian show in which they played a new song called "Strong Enough to Break". You can download the entire interview or just portions of it on hansonhotel.com. Here's the link. Mark and Brian Interview

Isaac, Taylor, and Zac are still recording the new album. They’re almost done with it. They hope to finish it by early, January or February, 2002. The new album should be released by Spring or Summer (May) 2002. They'll be touring during the summer again. Let's hope so. ;-)

The Princess Diaries soundtrack comes out on July 24, 2001. The # 10 track is a new Hanson song called "Wake Up". Yes, this is one of the new songs that they played at RiverFest on June 9, 2001 in Tulsa. I was there so I do know. :-D

Hanson.net had a chat with the Isaac, Taylor, and Zac on July 18, 2001. Here's the link for that chat. July 18, 2001 Hanson.net chat with Hanson

Hanson.net is now having guest chats. The first one of these was David Garza on July 25, 2001. Phantom Planet was on August 1, 2001. And Michelle Branch was on August 8, 2001. Check hanson.net chats for a listing of all future guest chats at www.hanson.net. Find out more information about the guests at these links:

David Garza

Phantom Planet

Michelle Branch

E-mail Joan with ANY questions at tulsa_hitz_jamz@yahoo.com