Oldest Hanson Announces Birth of First Child

Isaac Hanson, oldest member of the rock group Hanson, and his wife, Nikki welcomed their first son, Clarke Everett Hanson early Tuesday April 3^rd. The couple was married in late September.

For many fans, this was a long time coming.

In early March, the band held four preview shows in New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and New Jersey to kick off the Japan release of their new album, "The Walk". The fact that Nikki was not sighted during any of the shows made the pregnancy rumors more real. The birth of their first child was so anticipated, a picture and name of a baby girl appeared on the popular Livejournal community "Oh No They Didn't".

The picture and claim were quickly shot down however; as Isaac apparently told some fans they were having a boy. "Lilah" as she was supposedly named, was not their child. Whether or not the baby was really named Lilah and really a girl is unknown. Where the rumor started is also another question. The 'announcement' of the birth however caused uproar on Hanson.net, their official website. Many fans were excited, glad to see a new Hanson born to the happily married couple, while others were quick to dismiss the rumor and reasons why it was false.

Several weeks later, it was discovered that Nikki would be giving birth, and the time frame, according to Isaac would be by the end of March. The expected due date was planned around accordingly as much as possible, with only two members of Hanson, Taylor and Zac showing up to the AFI Dallas International Film Festival where they screened their documentary "Strong Enough to Break" and answered questions. Strong Enough to Break documents their struggle with Island Def Jam, their old record label and their final decision to part ways and create their own independent label 3CG Records. Not only does the documentary cover their split with Island Def Jam, it also covers the making of the first album on their own record label, "Underneath".

The birth of Clarke Everett couldn't come at a better time, as 2007 marks the 10 year anniversary of Hanson's first appearance on the music scene. The preview shows were not only a time to preview the new music, but they were also a celebration; a time for Hanson fans, many of which have been around since the very beginning to listen to the older, more cherished songs, and to listen to the new, more mature sound of Hanson today. As Taylor said, "This is not our anniversary; this is our anniversary, yours and ours."

Hanson is set to head to the United Kingdom later this month to promote their new album. "The Walk" will be released in the UK on April 30^th, while it is set to be released in the United States, Canada and Mexico on May 22^nd. A sneak preview of the album can be heard on their official website.