Hannah Montana

I had the distinct pleasure of talking to our own Mark Smith today, who attended last night's Hannah Montana concert. Here's a quick interview for those of you who didn't plop down $900 each for tickets! ;)

Q. What brought you to attend the Hannah Montana concert last night?

A. I couldn't pass up the opportunity for my daughter to see who she regards as a "living legend" live and in person!

You can either look at this Hannah Montana thing as the best of America or the worst.

If you are of the latter ilk, spare yourself the nausea and frustration of reading the rest of this blog because for me, this wasn't about rampant commercialism and the power of the pre-teen consumer, the unimaginable reach of corporate Disney or a nation of pampered children.

It's a story about happy ‹ delirious, really ‹ children and a seemingly nice 15-year-old who entertains them on television. This is a girl they think they know a lot about and so, when she comes to town and sings songs they know by heart, they smile. Is there anything much better when you're 6 or 10 or 14?

And it's also about parents like me who went along for the ride.

Q. What did your daughter think of the show?

A. She loved every minute of it, of course. But as a 6-year old, I'm sure she still isn't sure what just hit her. She has no frame of reference for seeing someone she's invited into her home via television for 2 years suddenly standing in front of her live and in-person. The spectacle of 15,000 people; the lights; the set; the stage; the sheer bombast of the sound. She was literally dumbstruck - before she started screaming with the rest of the packed house.

Q. What was the most memorable moment of the concert (for YOU)?

Without question it was the look on my daughter's face of unalloyed joy!
This was bigger than her first trip to Disneyland, this was bigger than every Christmas morning in her life rolled in to one. She was in a state of bliss. And sharing it with her best friend - they were beside themselves in disbelief.

Miley Cyrus (who is Hannah) sang about having a good party, having a good life, having the best of both worlds and having fun. No dope, no sex, no lazing about. No one threw a single piece of underwear. (There was even a Hannah pre-concert plea for money for supplies for teachers.)

It was a message a parent could love. And make no mistake, Cyrus IS talented. She's not up there lip-synching either. There's some pre-recorded "backing vocals" but she was singing every song and working hard to entertain. I think her career is for real. This isn't a Debbie Gibson or a Tiffany redux.

Q. For your daughter?

A. I asked her, and all she could muster was: "Everything." The interesting thing was that both her and her best friend did not say a word on the 30 minute car ride home after the concert. They were just overwhelmed and still processing it all.
Q. I see the girls are wearing Hannah merch-- did you doll up for the show?

A. Both my daughter and her friend wore their Hannah T-Shirts and jeans and shiny cowboy boots. And a Hannah pin, as well. But they didn't go the whole 9-yards with the blonde wig and make-up as some of the kids at the show did.


Q. I've heard that Hannah Montana's following is on par with that of the Beatles in their prime. Do you agree?

A. I absolutely agree. I'm too young to have been a part of "BeatleMania,"
but I've studied that era in pop culture history and Hannah is their Beatles, their Elvis. The sold-out tour, the screaming, and the fact that the Beatles made movies and Hannah has her TV show - the similarities are there and I think it's hilarious and a whole lot of fun to watch.

Thank you, Mark!