Rising Stars: Meet Drew Hanson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Drew Hanson. 

Drew, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I began in the entertainment industry when I was barely out of puberty with a radio job at my local station. While other kids were going to parties or having fun, I was doing late nights at a radio station running various late-night programming. This turned into a position as a DJ both in radio at WNCI (one of the biggest Top 40 stations in the Midwest) and doing live events. This opened some amazing doors for acting and TV and other passion projects which involved a move to Chicago as part of the Second City Conservatory for acting and comedy. I was supporting these projects with performances in bars and nightclubs with various DJing and Trivia events. Being frustrated with the one-dimensional nature of Trivia I began a Bingo concept in Chicago which I moved to Ohio when I relocated back to be around family and friends. 

The game became as a series of games invented by myself and traditional games as well in a manner that really amplifies punishment and reward and plot twists and turns, and the winner gets a pot of money and a picture with a real Championship belt. From there, I added the Tricycle of Shame for people calling (and not having) Bingo. This has increased the social media aspects immensely as who DOESN’T want to see a grown adult riding a tricycle? For winners, I added the championship as well as a Wheel of Consequences for multiple winners to compete in various challenges like “Rock, Scissors, Paper” a “Dance Off,” and “Bingo Beer Chug.” Recently I added a “The Price Is Right” style game with YouTube viral videos to guess how many hits it has without going over. 

The game is incredibly fun and successful and fulfilling for me. I know when time goes fast in a game, I’m having fun. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oh noooo… by no means has everything been fun. I have a rare vocal cord condition known as Spasmodic Dysphonia. This causes the vocal folds not receiving enough breath support to experience breaks in speech or spasms to the voice. It makes performances incredibly challenging but manageable with voice exercises or at times the quick fix is the use of alcohol. This could cause a whole host of other problems as a management tactic, so I attempt to minimize that and do the hard work of an hour of voice work a day. Through various trials and errors of business, I’ve been ripped off, humbled, fired… you name it, I’ve experienced the entire pendulum of extremes. Coming home from a gig in Chicago I was mugged carrying my gear and had to start over again for what seemed the millionth time. I’ve lived a Groundhog Day of life lessons that ultimately end up in growth and powerful systems. I’m grateful for all of it and wouldn’t change a thing. Can’t have the lessons without the experiences. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
The expansion of my “Character” or “Brand” is easily the thing I’ve felt most proud of. I’ve explored every aspect of entertainment from DJ to Professional Wrestler (yes that’s real). The real mix of everything I have absorbed in the different aspects of entertainment are really what make the mixture of all elements in performance now. Currently, I’m the Executive Producer for the Dave & Jimmy show on WNCI and across the country in syndication. Yet another aspect of the business and challenge that make me as versatile as possible. 

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc.?
Tinder… (kidding). Most of my consumption on of entertainment or opinion is used for professional purposes. I do take in old-school wrestling podcasts with “remember when” stories from wrestlers. I have worked for a guy named Conrad Thompson who kinda became “The Godfather” of these types of shows and when they tour and do live events around my area, I serve as their local host. 

Podcasting is a yet-to-be-tackled goal. I would love to learn the ropes of that process and success maps in it. 

Pricing:

• Bar Bingo – $300 to $500 per show
• DJ Entertainment – $1000 and up per show

Contact Info:

• Website: barbingolive.com
• Instagram: @bingocolumbus
• Facebook: @bingocolumbus
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedrewhanson/
• Twitter: @bingocolumbus
• Youtube: @bingocolumbus
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/drewhanson
• Other: TikTok.com/thedrewhanson

Image Credits
Drew Hanson