Article: Pop band takes to the streets to raise awareness of issues plaguing Africa

Taylor Hanson can’t say he knows what it’s like to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes, but the musician does know what it’s like to walk a mile without shoes.

“(Walking barefoot) helps remind people that the little things are kind of hard,” said Hanson, 25, who along with brothers Zac, 22, and Isaac, 27, comprise the pop band Hanson. The group, which gained fame in 1997 with the hit song “MmmBop,” and played a concert last night at the Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead.

Before the concert, the Hansons walked barefoot with about 200 fans through Homestead to raise money and awareness for AIDS and other issues affecting the poor in Africa. About two-thirds of the world’s AIDS population resides in Africa, according to a joint report from the United Nations and the World Health Organization.

Article: Music Scene by Rick Massimo

Hanson continues their Walk Around the World Tour tonight at Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel, 79 Washington St., at 7 p.m. Yeah, Hanson-mania might’ve gotten a little much there in the late ’90s, but you try writing something as cool as “MMMBop” when you’re 16. Or 13. Or 11. Their latest record, The Walk, doesn’t exactly break new ground, but it’s got several solid pop winners. Worth a look. Tickets are $30, $35 for reserved seating; call (401) 331-5876 or go to www.etix.com.

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Hansontickets Server Down

If anyone was wondering why I was behind on posting the stubs for the tour – it’s because the server that hansontickets.com is located on is currently being moved from wherever it is to Houston. Originally this was supposed to be an overnight outage on Monday, but obviously it is taking more time. While the site still seems to be viewable, I am unable to upload anything to it. But as soon as I know I can upload again, everything will be up to date! I just have no idea when that will be.

Wednesday Artist Spotlight: Robbie Gold

This week we chat with Robbie Gold, who opened for Hanson on their Live and Electric tour show at Indiana University, November 14, 2005.

Where is your band based out of?
Chicago Illinois, I’m just solo however.

Can you give us a little background on how you got started?
Basically I started playing guitar pretty late, it was about junior year in high school. I always loved singing from when i was little, high school plays, disney movies, and all that. But I definitely remember first being inspired to be a musician by the movie “That Thing You Do”. I just saw that and knew it was what I wanted to do.

What made you decide to enter Hanson’s opening act contest?
I knew Hanson from growing up and enjoyed their acoustic stuff, and loved the harmonies, so I figured this was a band who’s audience would probably like my music, because it is very similar in the sense of acoustic based and led by vocals, and I am around their age so i have grown up with probably many of the same influences.

What were your expectations before opening? Were they met?
I didn’t know what to expect. It was very cool and I liked the maturity in their music, definitely breaking away from their young brother image. They were all very nice, I just regret not getting more information about their record label, as i am in search of someone or something to get my music career going.

Since opening, what have you been up to?
I graduated from Indiana University this summer and in a quest to make enough money to live in my own apartment in Chicago, I have just been playing about 5 nights a week at restaurants, parties, bars, etc. basically anywhere I can get a gig. JBTV a long-time public access Chicago-based tv station/recording/editing studio, has actually allowed me to hang out in their studios a lot lately, and they have expressed interest in getting me a band together and recording/promoting me to the Chicago music circuit. This would be amazing, however I hate to even plug this in this interview, but I wouldn’t know where else to ask. I clearly understand the vast amount of musicians probably trying to get signed to 3cg records, but i really do feel that I am at the point that I could really be of benefit to a label and obviously vise versa as I really want to do this professionally.

Do you have any upcoming shows?
Right now I am just playing local restaurants in the suburbs of Chicago, but this winter I plan to move to the city and open for as many acts as I can, get a band together, and start headlining shows myself. My site is www.reverbnation.com/robbiegold and I am always posting my show dates on there. Thank you so much for contacting me.

thanks again,

Robbie Gold