Hey everyone...this is Dave's management. He's on his way to Africa, to visit the work that's being done with the Mocha Club. We wanted to let you all know about a new campaign that the mocha club is doing. Please read on, and spread the word. Thanks!


"I Need Africa More Than Africa Needs Me" (as printed on the inside of shirt)

When I think of Africa, the following images immediately come to mind: Starvation. AIDS. Child soldiers. Genocide. Sex slaves. Orphans. From there, my thoughts naturally turn to how I can help, how I can make a difference. "I am needed here," I think. "They have so little, and I have so much." It's true, there are great tragedies playing out in Africa everyday. There is often a level of suffering here that is unimaginable until you have seen it, and even then it is difficult to believe. But what is even harder is reconciling the challenges that many Africans face with the joy I see in those same people. It's a joy that comes from somewhere I cannot fathom, not within the framework that has been my life to this day.

The images spilling out of my television showed circumstances that could seemingly only equal misery, and I was fooled. I bought into the lie that circumstance defines happiness. The truth is, in Africa I find hearts full of victory, indomitable spirits. In places where despair should thrive, instead I find adults dancing and singing, and children playing soccer with a ball crafted of tied up trash. Instead of payback, I find grace. Here, weekend getaways are not options to provide relief from the pains of daily life. Relationships and faith provide joy. Love is sovereign.

My new reality... I know now that my joy should have no regard for my circumstances. I'm ashamed by my lack of faith, but at the very same moment I am excited by my new pursuit. I'm forced to redefine the meaning of having much or having little. I'm uneasy with the prospect of change and of letting go, but just the thought of freedom is liberating. I want what I have learned to trickle down from my head into my heart - I no longer want to need the "next thing" to have joy.

I'm not saying that Africa does not need our efforts. It absolutely does need our partnership. But for me, I've come to understand that I NEED AFRICA MORE THAN AFRICA NEEDS ME. Why? Because it is Africa that has taught me that possessions in my hands will never be as valuable as peace in my heart. I've learned that I don't need what I have and that I have what I need. These are just a few of this continent's many lessons. I came here to serve and yet I've found that I have so much to learn, and Africa, with all its need, has much to teach me.

Hello all -

It's about that time, to break forth the rhythm and the rhyme...DANG. it's amazing how some marky mark and the funky bunch will sneak into my conversations without notice, but that is, after all, why i cherish them so. Sigh...

Moving on - BIG NEWS. You asked for it, some even pleaded, so we have consented to your wishes and posted a new CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA video! That's right, just in time for the holidays. Why? Because we love you. We do. Mountain Dew. Click that thing and have fun...

CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGAN ZA PART THREE

AND, in the other "exciting news" section, i just got through recording a brand spanking new EP that we will be releasing right around Valentines Day! We revisited some old songs, recorded a couple of new ones, and threw a cover song in there for good measure.

The track listing will be coming soon. (Can you feel the suspense!?!?) You guys have a GREAT Christmas, and a Happy New Jear.

Barnes #34

Dave is up for 2 Musiqwards this year!!

VOTE NOW HERE

The final installment of the hit blog series "On the road with Hanson: a journey in pictures and text!"

Hanson - we love you and hope to do more shows soon.

Hanson fans - thanks for listening, laughing, and letting us play for you. hope to see you guys soon also.

Enjoy.

In Philly the night they won the World Series. Pretty freaking cool.

The thing I liked the most about this was watching people celebrate. It was really a lot of running around, stopping to drink, then running around more. There should have been something to paint, break, or burn. I sort of understand why vadalism happens now. What do you do with all that energy? Run in circles?

Awkward.

Mango lamenting the loss of General Woodensides.

We all miss her in our own ways.

Kids and paint.

First dates and BBQ.

White shirts and spaghetti.

Mustaches and soup.

after the walk in Atlantic City on the boardwalk (people walking above).

2, count em, 2 splinters.

All for the kids. All for the kids.

What do rock bands do after a KILLING show?

PARTY? GET CRAZY? A NIGHT ON THE TOWN?

Boggle.

Yep.

Boggle.

This was the best costume i saw in NYC on Halloween night.

He was dressed as the economy.

Brilliant.

As we got off the subway, he yelled, "Next stop, recession!"

Brilliant, pt. 2.

Before.

(things to note - chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese)

After.

(things to note - a fleeting sense of excitement, a established sense of regret, pain, and guilt)

our last walk. Chitown. Sad.

Preprank. Getting ready. Went something like this -

1 - "Dude, i'm not doing this. I look ridiculous."

2 - "We all do!"

1 - "You actually look pretty nice. Have you been working out?"

This is the second entry in "On the road with Hanson, pt. 2: A journey in picture and text."

See below for both.

Barnesie

1. yes, he's still alive.

2. yes, he LOVES a McGriddle or two.

Both are miracles.

this is right before me and the everybody else guys went onstage for a encore of "It's a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll."

The convo went something like this -

Dave - "what song are we doing?"
Taylor - "It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock n roll..."
Dave - "I don't know that.."
Taylor - "Yeah you do! let's GOOOOOOO!!!!" (walking on stage)
Dave - "Uhhhhhhhh....."

So then i commence to figure out the song with the guitar volume off (all the while convincingly rocking out), then once i have figured it out, up the volume comes.

Hanson fans are in tents.

Get it!?!?

Barnes - 1, the world - 0

Sour Patch Kids - 1, Lucas - 0.

This is what the kids call a "rat tail."

This is Hashi, a bit confused and nervous about engulfing whatever this is.

There was no after picture, where he was smiling and rubbing his tummy.

In case of emergeney, use this stair case.

Emergeney - The state RIGHT BELOW emergency, where there is a good CHANCE something could go wrong.

For example - a 2 year old and a paintbrush would be seen as a emergeney situation.

Hanson has a tradition of putting pies in the faces of birthday boys. This birthday was their bass player Will's. He, however, was not aware of the tradition.

I call this one, "The Evolution of Hammer (and a cartoon man)"

Random - A Haphazard Course.

An example? Let me give you one.

The night of October 24th Jim Courier played a tennis match in Dallas. I then followed the set with a set of my own, albeit musical (with none other than Justin Rosolino). Then drinks and hang with the Courier. Then seeing Deion Sanders. Then Owen Wilson. Then 3 am snacks at a table with REM.

Nope. Not lying.

THAT, my friends, is random.

And freaking amazing

Check it out HERE

Hey all -

just wanted to give you a quick heads up - i'm going to be in NYC on November 6th at the Bitter End. I'm going to be checking out the finalists for the New York Songwriters Circle 2008 Songwriting Contest, and then playing a few songs for the people! After I play, one of my idols, (Yes, He's American, but not an American Idol. Just making sure you get that straight. Ruben won't be there. Though, for what it's worth, sometimes i think i could win American Idle. Moving on...) Marc Cohn will be doing a few songs also.

So it sounds like a really cool and fun night - hope to see some of you there!

You can check out more information HERE

Barnes