I’m not even sure how to begin this journey. Nearly one month ago I had no plans of seeing Hanson on the tour, until low and behold they added a Cincinnati show. Yes, it would still be a six hour drive from Western KY, but it was during our week long fall break from school. I called my friend Sherry who lives in PA whom I’ve never met face to face, but we are sort of kindred spirits who met through Hanson.net. We had always planned to meet at Hanson concert somewhere between Pittsburgh PA, and Nashville TN. So of course Cincinnati seemed the perfect place to meet in the middle. When we spoke on the phone about it Sherry was very excited about the prospect of not only us finally getting to meet, but also finally being able to see Hanson perform in such raw form as an acoustic show. Unfortunately, family matters would conflict with the date of the concert and they were not able to go. I nearly let this change my mind about us going. I thought about it until the day the tickets went on pre-sale. Then I found myself online ordering the tickets. Well that was it. I had made up my mind. We were going to Cincinnati to see Hanson! I ordered our two pre-sale tickets one each for my daughter and myself, and on Friday when the general on sale to the public tickets were released I bought another for my daughters best friend. She isn’t really a fan in the same way we are, but she has always wanted to attend a concert with Kayla so they could share that together.

The morning we were to leave for Cincinnati I got a phone call from my daughters friends mom saying she had gotten ill over night and was not going to be able to come with us. Kayla was quite disappointed but I reminded her that we were still going, and that she had an important job to fulfill in being the reporter. We then planned to find someone deserving to give our extra ticket to. So we headed off to Cincinnati. We spent the night in our hotel and went on to the venue about noon the day of the show. There were several brave souls who had camped out over night. We had agreed to meet several Hanson.net people there that day to pass out name tags. It was really great to finally put a face with a name. I even got to meet one of our KY Street Teamers, who by the way have all done such a great job! (Thanks guys!) I was really excited to meet Katy, who is our webmaster, for the KY street team. She does a wonderful job for us. I was really thrilled for her when she was chosen to get a Meet and Greet! (Go Katy!) We then searched for someone to give our ticket too. I met a girl who was there for a meet and greet, who had her parents both with her. They only had one ticket between the two parents and neither one were going to go in to the show, so I gave them our extra so they could both come in and see what all the hype was about. They were very appreciative. I told them they hadn’t seen anything until they saw a Hanson performance. I believe they really enjoyed it. They thanked me numerous times for the ticket. I was more than happy to help out.

It was time to go in. We were all gathered together. The radio station winners went in first, then it was time for us to get busy. Kayla was told to take all the pictures for the Hanson.net meet and greeters. Then they returned outside to the line.

Now it was time for the interview portion of the evening. Kayla sat at a table with all three guys and asked the questions she had prepared:

1. Speaking as a state chair for the street team I would like to know how the ST has benefited you so far?
Zac: "Its always good to have fans helping to promote and just being a part of it all."
Isaac: "Yeah, its like giving empowerment to the fans."

2. Since you’ve started your own label, 3CG, what kinds of bands do you plan on signing, and do you have anyone in mind now?
Zac: "Right now we’re just focused on Underneath. It's going to be all about people who make inspiring music"
Taylor: "Basically bands that just Kick *!"

3. What is your most memorable experience on the acoustic tour so far?
Taylor: "Cleveland, it was so cold and raining, people were outside in that weather waiting for autographs..."
Isaac: "Yeah, we want to let those fans know we are sorry we didn’t get an opportunity to see more of them..."
Taylor: "Those fans are so loyal..."
Isaac: "We wish we could have met more of them, we have such respect for that kind of dedication."

4. Back to the street team. What are your plans for the Street Team?
Taylor: "Just being the heartbeat. It's not about plans or details but bringing the band to the fans and getting them involved in what we are doing."

5. What was the last movie you saw, and what did you think of it?
Zac: " I thought School Of Rock was great!"
Taylor: "I just got to see The Ring" and thought it could have been better."
Isaac: "School Of Rock was awesome."

That was it, the guys had to go get ready for the show. It was short, but we had a great time talking with them. Kayla gave Zac a t-shirt she found that was a drummer definition shirt, Taylor and Isaac thought it was very fitting. They thanked us. We thanked them. Then they were gone.
Now it was time for the whole reason we were there, the music! They may bill this as an acoustic tour, but let me assure you it is as high energy as any "plugged in" show you will ever see! They came out rocking with "Rock And Roll Razorblade". It was nothing short of spectacular to finally hear it performed live! They wove through old songs like "Where's The Love" and the newer "Strong Enough To Break". All sounded fresh and new in the acoustic setting. The ballad "Lulla Belle," performed solo by Zac was flawless. Only marred by the disruptive fans yelling things like "I love you Zac". If only these few fans could learn to be more respectful of the music, and the fans who are there to hear it. Isaacs’ solo was "Hand In Hand" and was done with such amazing passion. He truly becomes a part of that song while he is performing it. Taylor's solo was equally as moving. He did a gut-wrenching version of "Crazy Beautiful", much to the delight of the fans. They did fantastic covers of "Teach Your Children Well", "Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone", and a ten minute version of "Rip It Up"! What energy they bring even in such and intimate setting. Other highlights for us were "Hey", "Underneath", and the soulful "Deeper". The new music is just so perfect for the acoustic sets. There harmonies are truly amazing and make the other instruments pale in comparison. Seeing them play different instruments is a treat in itself. Zac on harmonica and piano, and Taylor on guitar. What an amazingly talented group of guys. Is there anything they can’t do? They finished up the evening with the very fitting "End Of The Line" as the encore. We left there feeling like we had just had the most incredible experience of our lives. If Hanson ever needs someone besides Ashley to go on tour and be there official photographers we are so the people for the job! We’ve never had as much fun as we did taking the pictures of the guys at this concert. I hope you all enjoy seeing them as much as we enjoyed taking them.
If you haven’t seen them on this acoustic tour yet, I strongly encourage you to do so. If it is at all possible you should try to make it to the Carnegie Hall show. I have a feeling it will be a night that will not soon be forgotten.

Set List
1. Rock And Roll Razorblade
2. Strong Enough To Break
3. Where’s The Love
4. River
5. Runaway Run
6. Tightrope (Zacs’ solo)
7. Teach Your Children Well
8. With You In Your Dreams
9. Underneath
10. Hand In Hand ( Isaac's solo)
11. Crazy Beautiful (Taylor's solo)
12. Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone
13. Penny And Me
14. If Only
15. Deeper
16. Hey
17. You Never Know
18. MMMBop
19. Rip It Up
20. This Time Around
21. End Of The Line (encore)