HANSON FAN INTERACTION
A look at the Hanson fan community
Written by Kimmerz, © Destination Hanson 2003

Hanson have achieved a great deal. Number One singles and albums, sold-out tours, the biggest Internet presence in modern music, and much, much more. As fans, we are intensely proud of the guys and excited for their success. Hanson thank us and see us as the vehicle that drives their success. How many times have we heard the guys pay tribute to us in interviews and acknowledge that without us buying the records, they could not do what they do? There is truth in this, and their simple admission of that makes us, as fans, feel appreciated. But in my opinion, the biggest achievement of Hanson's career has nothing to do with their record sales. I'm referring to their amazing effect on international relations.

Since becoming a fan in 1997, I have had the opportunity to meet and get to know a lot of other fans. This has been facilitated by the Internet, but what amazes me is that I have developed lasting friendships with people all over the world, and the common bond is Hanson. My fellow staff on this magazine are friends of mine, and Munkie in particular is one of my closest friends. We live in the same country, but quite a way apart. Yet our friendship is strong, and we are as close as if we lived in the same street. We met because of Hanson.

The initiative of other Hanson fans plays a huge part in the fan community. There are so many amazing Internet sites and message boards run by fans, where I interact with other fans all over the world. We seek each other out and we thrive on the contact. I guess this is symbolic of human nature - we gravitate towards those with common interest. But what awes me is the way that Hanson fans bond with each other. Jez has mentioned several times in her articles about her friends that she met online; and I have already mentioned my great friendship with Munkie - and all because we all liked a song named MMMBop and wanted to know more. Destination Hanson, as a magazine, is a facility to output this bond as well as producing interesting and hopefully intriguing material about the band and their music. For us, DH is more than just a monthly collection of articles. It is a heartfelt labour of love, at least on my part. It is something I enjoy doing, and I hope that translates to the words you read here. We are now on our fifth issue, and although it might not seem like much, to us here on the staff that's a massive achievement.

My article in issue 3 about Hansonliners vs. Hanson.netters was based on the feelings of division that I felt in the fan community. Some of you might wonder why, two issues later; I am waxing lyrical about how happy and shiny the Hanson fan community is. In truth, I am not. I am just making the point that although divisions exist, the essence of the whole thing is that everyone reading this will share an interest in the career of the Hanson brothers. For me, that is something that makes me feel amazing. I never feel alone when I check our guestbook or TagBoard, and I see that people are responding to these words I write, and the words of my colleagues here on the staff. The unity that I feel when I read those comments is something to be treasured. So to everyone reading this right now, I want you all to know that I am smiling happily as I write this!

As people, as musicians, and as the talented people they are, Hanson have achieved a lot for themselves. But I will always be most grateful to them for the friendships I have formed thanks to them. Their music has been the soundtrack to some of the best experiences of my life. Thank you Hanson, and thank you to all the DH members, to my fellow staff, and to everyone who has ever responded to one of my posts on a Hanson message board. You're all a part of this journey. Hopefully our destination will always be Hanson.