Welcome back my friends out there in 311 nation! It’s that time…we are about to learn all about another awesome fan! And today is his birthday! So give him a big shout out as it’s time to meet Ryan Boozer!
It was summer of 1996 and Ryan was on a church youth trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. A friend of his saw his Rage Against the Machine shirt and said he had a band for him to listen to. “He then proceeded to let me borrow a copy of the blue album. Popped it in, miT starts the opening riff of Down and by the time the whole band drops in, I was hooked & finally had found my all-time favorite band.” Ryan then went home and got his own copy of the album, and shortly thereafter picked up Grassroots and Music, as well as some live bootlegs. He wanted to listen to everything he could get his hands on.
The music of 311 was so unique to Ryan and different than most everything else he heard, which is what attracted him to it. “I really liked the hybrid sound/blending of different musical styles. It immediately grabbed me like nothing else to that point, and only a handful of other groups/acts have come close since then.”
Number of shows is at 92 for Ryan. His first show was in Charlotte, North Carolina, on 8/31/97 during the Transistor tour. “De La Soul opened up for them & I was 9 rows dead center behind the pit.” Out of the 92 shows, the cruises are the shows that stand out to him as favorites. “It’s very magical to me to have that many other hardcore fans from all around the globe to come together & see the music we love on a boat for a few days. I feel lucky that 311 does them.” A close second for him would be 311 Day events or Pow Wow.
Favorite song for Ryan is “Time is Precious” and he has a good reason – he proposed to his wife during it at 311 Day 2018! “I was able to ask a close source to the band if they had plans on playing it and got confirmation the day before we left that it was going to be played and when I needed to be ready. 311 means a lot to me and my wife (she has been to 41 shows with me & saw them a few times before we were together) so it was amazing to have that special moment to hold onto. Nick also says ‘These memories will last forever because time is precious’ before they play it. To most that’s just another line of the show but warms my heart to have that as part of MY 311 history.” A favorite lyric of his is from “Offbeat Bare Ass” – “Do what thou wilt.”
Ryan has spent most of his life in Charlotte, N.C, at least 34 out of his 36 years. He was born in Tampa, Florida, and also lived in Atlanta, Georgia; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Dallas, Texas, for short periods of time. Over the years he’s been employed at a video game store, a few pizza places, a mail/packaging store, and a head shop. He currently owns his own business with his wife called GB Unique Creations. “We help other people/bands/companies make merchandise & sell our own products online. We also set up merchandise booths at different EDM shows. We are lucky enough to be able to work in town as well as other cities in the Southeast. Anything within a 4-hour radius of us we try & hit if we can. It’s a lot more work than we both thought but we love it. I’m going to do it as long as I can.”
A hobby for Ryan is that he’s an avid CD collector. “I have over 500 CD’s total. For 311 alone, I have 47.” Fun fact about Ryan is that he’s had the opportunity two times to make merchandise for 311. “The first time I helped them make the 311 Day 2016 wings pins (1st official lapel pins). The 2nd time I helped them make the official pin & patch for 311 Day 2018 (2nd ever official lapel pins). I feel very honored to be able to say this. When I started my company, I said I wanted to help them make their 1st ever official pin so to turn that into a reality was pretty surreal.”
As far as uniqueness for Ryan, he has an interesting story. “So, it’s well known that the guys are into aliens (especially SA). I had a session with a sound/energy healer a little while back where she told me that she had never felt a vibration like mine & then proceeded to tell me that this was my 1st time in a human body. According to her I had several other life’s & have been to several different galaxies beyond our own. It was a very cool experience. My wife Grace wasn’t surprised at all when she heard this.”
As far as guilty pleasures, Ryan is a die-hard sports fan. “Love me some Carolina Panthers football & Charlotte Hornets/UNC Tar Heels basketball. Was able to see the Tar Heels win a Championship LIVE in 2009 in Detroit, MI.” Other music he loves includes Story Of The Year, Bassnectar, Pendulum, Funeral For A Friend, Tauk, Atmosphere, Grieves, Adair, Disturbing The Peace, STS9, and The Police (just to name a few).
To 311, these are Ryan’s words: “You guys are my version of The Beatles/Kiss/James Brown/Grateful Dead (that’s what you mean to me compared to other legendary artists thru time). You will always be my favorite band, thanks for affecting my life the way you have. I know I’d be on a very different path without it.”
To Ryan’s fellow 311 fans:
“Go see as much live events (whatever you are into-music, comedy, sports, theater, etc.) as you can. 311 is my favorite so they get the most of my time/$/energy, but I also go see other music (as well as comedians & sporting events) on a regular basis. At this point I have been to a bunch of very special shows (some 311 some not) & some of those if I hadn’t gone, I might not have ever been able to see that act/band/performer ever (or at least that line up/version of the band). A lot of these shows were out of town, but had I not made the effort then I would have missed out. I’ve also been able to meet a bunch of these artists because of going to the show & even hung out with a few. It’s pretty cool when you get to tell any performer (musician, comedian, athlete) what they mean to you. Life is short, buy the tickets!”
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That my friends is Ryan Boozer’s story! I hope you enjoyed the read this week and thanks Ryan for being a part of this project. Of course, all who keep reading, you absolutely rock! Go have an amazing week, stay positive & love your life!
Much Love – The Runt