Great Divide (A message from Zac Hanson) The song "Great Divide" was one of the first songs written for the new album, and since its inception has been a key song in guiding the sound of the new album. "Great Divide" is all about hope. The song is almost solely a four piece (guitar, drums, bass, and piano). No need for bells and whistles. I remember the night we started writing "Great Divide," because we just kept playing and playing all night. We didn't stop to write down lyrics, it was too much fun to simply play. Eventually we recorded a demo, and as we all walked into the control room to listen, a conversation started. This was one of the songs that would define the new album. As we continued to work on songs, we had our corner stone. Months after "Great Divide" was written we found ourselves sitting in the conference room of a small technology company in Tulsa, Oklahoma with a few friends. They were going to South Africa to give away their software to the largest hospital in the southern hemisphere – Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto, South Africa. The primary use for the technology was to enable better treatment and research for AIDS and HIV. We didn't know what role we could play, but there was something fortuitous about the whole experience. We would go to Africa, and we would bring our music with us. The things we saw in Africa were both joyful and sobering. The trip was about learning. We saw as much as we could in a short time trying not to blink, so that the pictures would be ingrained in our minds. But the biggest impact come from what Africa did to our music. We were able to record two children's choirs while we were there; one in South Africa, the other in Mozambique. Watching them sing reminded me why we make music in the first place. They sing with such joy it made me stop and wonder how children with so little could possibly sing about hope. It was chilling. It was changing. Through the song "Great Divide" we hope that some of the conviction we have will translate to whoever hears it. All the proceeds we receive from the iTunes downloads will go to the Perinatal HIV Research Unit of the hospital; people who are creating REAL HOPE. We know that a song and a T-Shirt will only do so much, but we are doing what we can with what we have. Awareness must become a resolve to make a difference. All the best, Zac For further info on Great Divide, please go to Hanson.net. For further info on HIVSA, please visit their website. Buy the Benefit Shirt exclusively at Hanson.net.