Middle of Nowhere by Hanson

In 1997, Hanson was inescapable. A catchy little single by the name of “MMMBop” was topping charts around the world, and the three long-haired brothers from Tulsa, Oklahoma had earned a Tiger Beat pinup on the walls of pretty much every adolescent girl in America. And while their star may have faded after the initial spark of their first album Middle of Nowhere, they still hold a special place in the hearts of 1990s fans everywhere.

It may be hard to believe, but the Hanson phenomenon truly began at the independent music and arts festival South by Southwest in Austin, Texas. In 1996, the group was discovered there and signed by manager Christopher Sabec, who ultimately brokered a deal with Mercury Records to produce the band’s first album. Middle of Nowhere was released on May 6, 1997 and sold a whopping 10 million copies worldwide. Tracks like “Thinking of You”, “Where’s the Love”, and “MMMBop” launched the band into the popular music stratosphere and the brothers went on to perform live on late night programs including Late Night with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and Saturday Night Live.

Eventually, the album was nominated for three Grammy’s including Record of the Year, Best New Artist, and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. In 1997, “MMMBop” alone reached #1 in 12 different countries. At just 11 years old, Zac Hanson was the youngest group member to co-write and perform a United States #1 single. The song was eventually ranked on VH1’s “100 Greatest Songs of the 90s” in position 20 and can still be sung on command in every karaoke bar.

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