311 Fan Spotlight – 1/1/2018 – Lisa Wilson!

Happy New Year 311 nation! Let’s kick off 2018 properly with the first fan spotlight of the year. Meet Lisa Wilson!

The year was 2008 and the month was March. Lisa was in the process of getting divorced which she said is the single scariest thing she has gone through. She was about to pack up and move home to Vermont when her friend Linda introduced her to a social club called PortSports, owned by Morgan and Dave Surkin, who are huge 311 fans. “Because PortSports had become such a big part of my life, in November of 2009, when 311 was due to play in Portland, Morgan was out of the world excited and I wanted to see what it was all about.  So Linda, myself and her daughter Vera went and the rest is history.”

Lisa just attended her 50th show in Montclair, New Jersey this past fall. Her first show was November 22, 2009, in Portland, Maine. Favorite experience so far was of course tough to answer.  “The most recent one would have been this past Unity Tour, the day of the Hampton Beach NH show.  Trying to plan a meet up at the beach during the day, but mother nature had different ideas and she rained on our beach party.  And so the ppppaaaarrrrrtttttyyyyy pppppaaaaattttiiiiioooo was born!  We took over the back deck of the Moulton Hotel and made the best of the day, rain and all, which included stalking the buses (in the rain) and a killer setlist!”

Favorite song for Lisa is “Strong All Along.” “During the 2013 unity tour when Nick said “Boston this one’s for you” in Mansfield and busted out this song, that was it!!” The first lyric that really, truly struck Lisa was, “Music, you’re my constant companion.” “Which is so true because music can turn your frown upside down.  Whether it be by the lyrics themselves or a blast from the past memory!!”

Fair Haven, a very small town in Vermont, is where Lisa grew up. It’s just west of the Rutland/Killington area. She is the youngest of 6 kids and her oldest brother is 17 years older than she is. She has 11 nieces and nephews and just as many great nieces and nephews. “Given all this, family is very important to me.” Supporting the 311 habit comes from working as a HR Generalist for the Portland Public School system, as well as driving for Uber and Lyft at night. “To really support the habit.” Aside from Maine and Vermont, Lisa also lived in a small town in Northern California called Susanville. “I worked as an HR Specialist for an Indian Rancheria and spent A LOT of time in Reno, we there wasn’t much going on in Susanville.”

A fun fact people may not know about Lisa is that she is a certified SCUBA diver! “While most of my diving has been done in the frigid waters of Maine, I’ve also been 60 feet under water in Monterey CA in front of Pebble Beach Golf Course.  I actually got engaged there, 60 feet underwater.  What a different coastal diving experience that was.  The kelp there was like a forest.  There’s really nothing like breathing underwater, so peaceful, and I being an animal person, I love seeing the sea life.   I really enjoy diving and wish I could do more often.”

Something that makes Lisa unique, that was thought of with help from her friend Adam, is her friendliness! “If I see someone alone, or not with a group,  wearing 311 gear on I will invite them to join our crowd, as Adam has witnessed this on several occasions 🙂  I guess it’s just because I want others to have as much fun as I do and meet the amazing people I have!” She also has an amazing and one of a kind whistle, you’ll know it when you hear it! 

Guilty pleasure for Lisa is sports, sports, and more sports! “Although most might know this already, because of the 4-311 jerseys I owns.  I’m a sports-a-holic. It’s so funny because everyone is always talking about all these series on, and I’m like yea no, I watch sport!! Like right now switching between the Bruins and Manchester United (no judging!!)”

When not jamming out to 311 Lisa can be found listening to bands she has met through 311 such as Ballyhoo!, RDGLDGRN (#teamsnaxx), Dirty Heads, The Urge, and Stick Figure. She most recently has gotten into Bumpin Uglies. “We need them on the boat and check them out if you haven’t.”

To 311, Lisa would like to say: “Thank you for all you do, the energy you bring to EVERY damn show and please don’t ever stop!!”

To all the other fans:

“Always keep an attitude of gratitude!! For life, this band and all the amazing people you’ve met and now call family, cause I certainly do!!”

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That my friends is Lisa Wilson’s story! I’m happy to call her a personal friend and hope you all get to meet her one day. Now go kickstart your year on a happy note – I wish you all the best in 2018! And as always, thank you for reading!

Much love – The Runt