Enter your search terms Submit search form   Web www.shorttdogg.net       The Boys Are Back Hanson Brings The Walk to Tulsa   By G.K. Hizer Urban Tulsa Weekly     Whenever Hanson schedules a hometown show, it's news for Tulsa. A decade after the band exploded on the pop charts with "Mmmbop" and its corresponding album Middle of Nowhere, the group still maintains it favored son status in Oklahoma and causes a stir with the announcement of a new album or tour. Isaac, Zac and Taylor aren't boys any more, as witnessed by the band's latest disc and tour. Not only are all three brothers now married (and with children), they've got more on their minds than writing bubblegum pop songs. Not that there's anything wrong with a good pop song, but the Hanson brothers have got a bigger vision and are using their talent and success as platform to raise awareness of poverty and HIV/AIDS in Africa. As a sign of the band's commitment to the cause, all proceeds from the sales of "Great Divide," the first single off their latest album The Walk go to HIV/AIDS treatment--or more specifically, the HIV/AIDS hospital they visited while in South Africa. That's not all the band is doing for African charities, though. As part of its efforts to raise awareness of Africa's poverty levels, the band has been participating in one-mile barefoot walks with the fans to demonstrate the hardships endured by African children. As part of that campaign, the group has partnered with Tom's Shoes on this tour. The comfortable, designer shoes are being offered on each stop of the tour, and for each pair sold, the company will donate one pair of shoes to African charities and relief. As of October 30, Hanson was able to celebrate the band's goal of 50,000 pairs of shoes sold, even before the tour ended. This Sunday night, Hanson's "The Walk" tour stops in Tulsa for a much anticipated show at the Cain's Ballroom. As many local fans already know and remember, this show was originally scheduled for October 3 but was postponed when oldest brother and guitarist Isaac was admitted to the Baylor University Medical Center after the group's concert in Dallas the night before. Isaac was subsequently diagnosed with a form of pulmonary embolism known as Paget-Schroeder Syndrome, which is more common in athletes, and underwent surgery on Thursday, October 4, to remove a blood clot form his lung. Ever the dedicated musician and road warrior, he rejoined his brothers and resumed the tour the following Sunday night, October 8. After that health scare and an accomplished North American tour, Hanson is ready to return to the Ballroom for its rescheduled homecoming show this Sunday night, November 11. The show will also feature Ingram Hill and Oklahoma City band 2AM, to open the show. Tickets are still available for $33 in advance or $38 at the door, but if you plan to attend, get them quickly, before they sell out. To learn more about what is going on in the Tulsa music scene, Shortt Dogg invites you to check out Urban Tulsa Weekly at their website at:  www.urbantulsa.com/