Can Hanson really play? At first, it seemed a good idea. Tulsa Today could sponsor a private music session with Hanson and Tulsa's more established music masters. We thought the old timers and rising stars could have a good time away from crowds, just playing music together. Granted, we wanted to take a few photos and gather quotes, but we saw this as a private affair of the musically gifted, but a problem quickly became apparent.

Tulsa Today's music session with Hanson hit a sour note because Tulsa’s established masters do not want to play music with Hanson. They don’t believe Hanson can play. Tulsa holds a unique legacy in the international music scene. Understated, as most things Oklahoman tend to be (only Texas really knows how to brag), Tulsa’s contribution to the music scene began in 1934 with Bob Wills and The Texas Playboys. You don’t remember Bob Wills? In his time he was the highest paid entertainer in America, but that was before Hanson’s grandparents were born.

All players appreciate an audience, but everyone should understand that there are two main parts to performing. The first is the craft of music. It requires a heartbreakingly slow process of training ear and muscle. The craft requires more than skill. It demands stone cold confidence that you can walk on stage and take control of an audience – you must believe that you can lead them to emotion as you wish, causing their hearts to cry or feet to dance.

The second part of professional performing is the business side of music. Everyone wants a piece of the musician’s life. Booking agents and record companies, marketing hacks and image consultants all want to tell the musician how to do and when to do what. It is not fun. There is more heartbreak in the business side of music than any audience will ever understand.

Professional musicians know that Hanson’s parents have done a remarkable job in promoting their talented offspring. They started early and worked them hard. We celebrate Hanson’s success in the business side of the business, but the question remains, can they play?

Professional Tulsa musicians Tulsa Today contacted say the Hanson brothers are not players. They called them Tulsa’s Monkeys after an old TV show of the same name.

Local players believe that Hanson has not yet earned the right to call this craft of music their own. While these musicians refused to spend an evening with the boys, they do wish them continued success and hope that some day Hanson may earn the right to be added to the following list by their skill in the craft.