ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: When ABC approached you forGreatest Hits,was it a no-brainer?
Or did you have to stop and think about it?
How did that version of MMMBop come together?
Credit: Byron Cohen/ABC
MMMBop has always been able to be performed that way.
So the performance onGreatest Hitsis both new and old.
I think it plays into the whole idea of that show, and what people are excited about.
Do you ever get sick of playing it?
The short answer is no.
Were always proud of playing it.
As you know, as a fan, we rarelyjustplay MMMBop when were playing music.
Youre not simply walking out and playing your biggest hit.
Youre always going to be adding to it.
And thats just a very unique position to be in.
Its very rare to have a single song that has reached that far.
Some of your kids are now as old as you guys were when you started.
Is that weird for you guys?
Are you ready for Hanson: The Next Generation?
When we didThe Jenny McCarthy Show97, I was my sons age so that is pretty surreal.
And I wont say that it doesnt give you pause when you think about it.
But its pretty amazing to be dads to these really cool kids.
Youre just trying to do your best to not screw them up in some way.
Hopefully your own past and your own history doesnt weigh too heavily on them.
What do you have planned?
Its a good question.
Some of that stuff is subliminal.
If your last record was salty, your next record, you want it to be sweet.
And when we approach the fan club projects, we really try and start the process right then.
We dont usually include the idea thats waiting.
We treat it as this exercise of the mind, and of creativity, and we dive in.
And we say today, on Wednesday, were going to create something.
And the process really brings a song to life.
So youre not really pulling from the same database, in a way.
Its almost like two different disciplines.
I wouldnt say itsharder,but it definitely was pushing on the theme of anthemic songs.
So it was not particularly designed as an intimate or introspective-jot down record as a whole.
It was looking outward, driving forward.
Theres not quite as much yin and yang because weve had time to cook.
Youre also releasing a new Christmas album!
We are planning to return with a second Christmas album next Christmas.
Will it be all new songs?
It will be all new.
I think because we didnt have too much time to think about it.
Its a party Christmas record.
Its not an overly syrupy record, its meant to be kind of a celebratory time.
And like weve done onSnowed In,well definitely introduce some new originals.
But that fits into the whole excitement: Its time.
And maybe the most important question: Do you have any new beers coming out?
Yes, we do!
Were introducing some seasonal beers.
Were introducing the beer that is inspired by our festival, The Hop Jam.
Its called the Hop Jam Festive Ale.
Everybody tries it and loves it, its a great summer beer.
Its really refreshing, its got orange peel and coriander, and its just a really delicious beer.
I love dark beers, so its almost like were working our way to the dark stuff.
On a personal level, Ill be fulfilled!
