The good news was announced yesterday morning during an appearance on nationally syndicated radio show Kidd Kraddick in the Morning. Said Zac, “I am so excited about the new addition to our growing family, and for the stories and inspiration this person will bring to the world. Life is so short, and there is nothing better than getting to share life with our children.”

Zac and Kate’s new arrival will join big brother Shepherd, born in 2008, along with 6 cousins, the children of Zac’s brothers and band-mates, guitarist Isaac and keyboardist Taylor.

The announcement comes amidst a flurry of activity in recent weeks surrounding the release of HANSON’s new album “Shout It Out” and their impending summer tour. Debuting at #30 on the Billboard Top 200, “Shout It Out”, released on the band’s own 3CG Records, has received accolades across the board, lead by infectious soulful pop tune “Thinking ‘Bout Somethin’” with accompanying music video featuring “Weird” Al Yankovic which has received more than 2 million views online, and pays homage to the iconic film The Blues Brothers complete with a rapturous summer street dance sequence, classic soul melody and plenty of cowbell. Entertainment Weekly said the songs “shimmer with top-shelf songcraft,” while the New York Times noted that HANSON “has evolved into a nuanced and largely respected musical outfit” and Salon says “don’t be surprised if there is a HANSON revival in 2010”.

On July 21st, HANSON kicks off a North American tour that will go through October, featuring Rooney and A Rocket To The Moon.

The tour dates for the North American tour are below:
 
Leg 1:
July
21                     Buffalo, NY                                            Club Infinity
23                     Hyannis, MA                                          Cape Cod Melody Tent
24                     Cohasset, MA                                        South Shore Music Circus
25                     Philadelphia, PA                                     Theatre of the Living Arts
27                     Sayreville, NJ                                        Starland Ballroom
28                     Richmond, VA                                        Hat Factory
30                     Asheville, NC                                         Orange Peel
31                     Raleigh, NC                                           Lincoln Theatre
 
August
2                      Louisville, KY                                         Headliners
3                      Nashville, TN                                         Wild Horse Saloon
4                      Memphis, TN                                         Minglewood Hall
5                      St. Louis, MO                                        Pageant
7                      Kansas City, MO                                    The Beaumont
8                      Omaha, NE                                            Slowdown

10                     Minneapolis, MN                                    Music @ Zoo Outdoor Amphitheatre
12                     Milwaukee, WI                                       Pabst Theatre
13                     Chicago, IL                                            House of Blues
14                     Chicago, IL                                            House of Blues
16                     Grand Rapids, MI                                   Intersection
17                     Royal Oak, MI                                        Royal Oak Music Theatre
19                     Cleveland, OH                                       House of Blues
20                     Pittsburgh, PA                                       Carnegie Music Hall
21                     Columbus, OH                                       Newport Music Hall
23                     Cincinnati, OH                                       Moonlight Gardens
24                     Indianapolis, IN                                     Egyptian Room
25                     Tulsa, OK                                              Cain’s Ballroom
 
Leg 2:
September
14                     Mesa, AZ                                               Piper Theater
16                     Anaheim, CA                                         House of Blues
17                     Los Angeles, CA                                     House of Blues
18                     San Diego, CA                                       House of Blues
20                     San Francisco, CA                                  Great American Music Hall
21                     San Francisco, CA                                  Great American Music Hall
22                     Portland, OR                                          Wonder Ballroom
23                     Seattle, WA                                           The Moore
25                     Vancouver, BC                                       Commodore Ballroom
27                     Spokane, WA                                         Knitting Factory
28                     Boise, ID                                               Knitting Factory
30                     Salt Lake City, UT                                  The Depot

October
1          Boulder, CO       Fox Theatre