Hans Olson

Hans Olson (born July 3, 1952), is an American musician and songwriter. He is a singer and plays an amplified acoustic guitar and a harmonica in a neck rack. He is known as one of the best "harp-in-a-rack" players in the world. Olson helped to establish and organize the Phoenix Blues Society, the Arizona Green Party (1991), the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame (1995), the Arizona Music Heritage Foundation and the Arizona Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (2002). In 1996, Olson was inducted into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame. Both Phoenix Magazine and Phoenix New Times named Olson as one of the most influential musicians in Arizona.

Musical style and influences Olson usually performs solo, although he has played with many bands throughout his career. Olson combines a blend of blues, country, folk music and original songs. Olson has played with bands and artists such as The Allman Brothers, Tom Waits, ZZ Top, B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Allison Kraus, Chuck Berry, Bonnie Raitt, Joe Cocker, and John Fogerty. His early inspirations were Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, and Muddy Waters. He is currently endorsed by Lee Oskar harmonicas.

Biography Early years Olson was born in San Bernardino, California in 1952. At the age of five, his cousin threw an errant arrow which resulted in the loss of his eye. Olson's father died the same year. and by 13, Olson was playing gigs, which offered the opportunity to be away from his alcoholic stepfather. In his early teens, Olson became depressed and began drinking alcohol and using drugs.

Teenage years In 1967, Olson began his music career in San Bernardino, California as a lead singer in a Rock & Roll band. He also began performing solo gigs in coffee shops. As a stunt, he used to carry around a switch blade. He cut his hand to "freak people out". In 2012, on the 100th anniversary of Arizona's statehood, the title song from this album was listed in the Phoenix New Times magazine as one of Arizona's 100 greatest songs.

In 1980, he toured coast to coast with Dave Mason; they played over 100 shows together. The same year, his album, Hans Olson Sings the Blues, reached No. 3 on the local Tower Records sales chart.

In 1982, Olson toured with Brownie McGhee, playing harmonica and guitar.

In the mid 1980s Olson was part of the quartet, Hans Olson and the Rhythm Masters.

In 1986 Olson helped found the Sun Club, a former hub of the Tempe music scene. The Sun Club was fundamental in launching the careers of acts such as Dead Hot Workshop and the Gin Blossoms. After a few years, Olson filed for bankruptcy, and in 1992, the Sun Club closed.

In 1991, he helped establish the Arizona Green Party.

In 1992, he toured as Michelle Shocked's opening act, and headlined a 40 day European tour, performing in France, Germany and Austria. Phoenix radio station, KZON, used his song "You Wish" to launch its programming. He also performed at the Free Wheels Festival in France. He won "Best Solo Act" of the year at the Arizona Entertainment Awards show. He also won "Best Solo Act" of the year in the Phoenix New Times Weekly, reader's choice awards. Several of his songs were played on the Time Warner mini-series "The Wild West."

In 1995, Olson helped create the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame.

In 2000, he created the Sun Club Records label.

In 2002, he helped found the Arizona Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame.

His work can also be heard in the following shows: Cold Case George Lopez Ghost Whisperer Criminal Minds It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Braving Alaska (National Geographic) The Wild West (Time-Life/Warner Bros. mini-series) The Music of the Wild West (TNN) Man Outside (Virgin Vision Films) Mill Ave., Inc. (Independent film)

On tour Olson has toured, performed, been an opening act for, and/or recorded with the following musicians (and others): Michelle Shocked Tom Waits Brownie McGhee Al Kooper Albert Lee Dallas Taylor Boz Scaggs Dave Mason Allman Brothers Band Arlo Guthrie Bonnie Raitt Albert Collins John Hammond Jeff Healey Five Blind Boys of Alabama Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Elvin Bishop Joe Cocker Gatemouth Brown Paul Butterfield Canned Heat John Fogerty Johnny Winter Edgar Winter Tony Martinez Band Stevie Ray Vaughan Willie Dixon John Lee Hooker B.B. King Muddy Waters Upsuck