Hanson Helps Out 
(By Rockwell Ryan Ripperger) 


In this business, it's hard to get anyone to take you seriously. There's just too much talent out there to give everyone a fair chance. So when someone does take you seriously, it's extremely meaningful. This is how I feel about my experiences this week. One of my good friends produces videos for Hanson and needed a hand driving out a Hammond B3 to Hollywood for the boys doing their new CD. Knowing I have a desire to get out of Tulsa (no offense Tulsa) and see the rest of the music world, he was incredibly gracious to invite me along. Of course I accepted, and I knew I would have a great time, but never imaged how big an understatement that was.

The Hanson family and the boys (Zach, Taylor, and Isaac) were so incredibly nice to me, and were as hospitable as anyone I've ever visited. The whole crew surpassed all expectations I had, both artistically and personally. They showed me around Hollywood, let me stay in their house (right next to the Chinese theater where the Grammy's were held), and I even got to spend some time with them in the studio... Capitol B studio I might add, the exact room where Frank Sinatra and the Beatles recorded. I learned a lot about recording techniques from watching some of the best engineers in the biz, and even made some contacts that will really help Stephen Speaks in the future. Needless to say, we will always be very grateful to Hanson for giving some fellow Tulsa boys a chance to get out and see the 'big' boys! They are such amazingly talented musicians, and don't get the respect they deserve by any means. If you all want some serious soulful rock and roll, get Hanson's new CD when it comes out... it's truly a masterpiece, and if you like our music at all, you'll love theirs!

As if the trip wasn't surreal enough, it just so happened that John Mayer was playing the night I showed up and they were all going. My buddy who does their videos was so kind to let me go in his place, a gesture I will never forget. As if attending a John Mayer concert at the house of blues in Hollywood with some of the most talented musicians of our generation isn't surreal enough, Mayer had been in contact with them, so we got to go backstage and hang out with Him! I got to talk to Mayer for a while, have snacks and drinks compliments of the record label, and just chill with people like Danielle Fisher (Tapanga) and Mary Kate Olsen. John was actually familiar with Stephen Speaks, which completely made my day! I was about speechless when he said, "Oh yeah, Stephen Speaks!" As Taylor Hanson told me, meeting a hero of yours is an exciting feeling you never grow out of, especially when he recognizes you; it just rocks. Aware Records (John's label) is one of the labels I mentioned above who picked up our albums for distribution, so John and I had another thing in common. It was an incredible show overall, and if you all have the opportunity to see John live, you should. It was certainly an evening I will never forget.

As I mentioned earlier, I got to meet a lot of people from record labels, lawyers, engineers, producers, etc., and a few who really want to help out Stephen Speaks. That was by no means the purpose of my trip, and I certainly didn't seek it, but some amazing coincidences happened and I met some great people with great hearts. Overall it was my first major opportunity to meet a lot of people who have made their mark in the music business, and it was certainly an experience that I will never forget. I only hope next time the rest of the band is there to experience it as well!