(PR) With HANSON's fourth studio album, The Walk, which debuted in the Top 5 on Billboard's Independent Chart, the band kicked off their nearly sold-out The Walk Tour this week in Nashville. Additional dates have just been announced and will go on sale next week.After recording the song, "Great Divide" in Africa (the proceeds of which are donated to AIDS relief in Africa), HANSON is continuing their efforts by teaming with TOMS Shoes on a unique initiative to help with the fight against poverty in Africa. On The Walk Tour, HANSON and TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie will be speaking about the importance of taking simple action, like purchasing a pair of TOMS shoes (for each pair purchased, a pair is given to a child in need). Shoes will be made available on each tour stop. Said TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie, "the message (and beauty) of TOMS is that massive change is possible...we need only work together and each contribute a little bit. I cannot think of a better partner to help spread this message than HANSON."
As part of the tour, a one mile walk will be staged in each tour market inviting the fans and local artists to join in, encouraging those participating to take action by purchasing a pair of TOMS as part of these symbolic one mile treks. The exact location of each day's walk will be announced on hanson.net three hours in advance (fans who participate in the one mile walk, will get to "jump the line" for the concert that night so they don't need to worry about losing their place in line). Said Taylor Hanson, "We want to inspire others to look for simple, tangible and fun ways to make a difference. It is easy to be halted by the great hurdles of poverty and AIDS, but making an impact can begin as simply as giving someone a pair of shoes or buying a song."
There will be a premiere walk event with TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie in New york City on September 25 ahead of the bands two sold-out shows September 29 & 30 at Chicago's House of Blues. HANSON's new single, "Great Divide" has been the #1 Most Requested song on Chicago's Q101 radio station for the last 2 weeks. Proceeds from the sale of HANSON's song "Great Divide" go to HIVSA, an African AIDS relief organization.
Shoes will be sold at each tour stop, with the pairs donated on the tour being delivered by the team as part of TOMS shoe drop trip to South Africa and Ethiopia, set for November 2007 and early 2008. Purchases can also be made direct from TOMSshoes.com