Tulsa-based pop-rock trio Hanson, which is celebrating a 25th anniversary this year, has something new to celebrate: Hanson will be inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame during The Hop Jam.
The Hop Jam is a beer and music festival scheduled Sunday in downtown Tulsa’s Brady Arts District. Hanson is headlining the festival. The induction will take place on stage prior to Hanson’s performance.
Jim Blair, Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame executive director, will present brothers Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson with their award after a video is shown to the audience.
“We’ve been wanting to get these guys inducted for some time now, and we thought how fitting it would be to happen on the band’s 25th anniversary, as well as The Hop Jam Beer and Music Festival established by Hanson in 2014,” Blair said.
Reacting to the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame news, Taylor Hanson said it’s a great milestone to be honored alongside many others who have made an impact musically from this state.
“We are so appreciative of that recognition,” he said. “It’s extra sweet to be here, 25 years in, to get recognized as having contributed to Oklahoma music. We are just really humbled by it and just really proud to be among so many great artists that have come before us.”
Founded in 1992, Hanson was launched when the brothers in the band were ages 11, 9 and 6, respectively.
Influenced by 1950s and ’60s music, Hanson cites some of its inspiration as coming from greats like Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, The Beatles, Elvis, Little Richard and Chuck Berry. That contributed greatly in developing a signature sound that incorporated strong melodies and song craft, as well as a reverence for its musical forefathers.