Welcome back 311 nation! Thanks for returning for the latest edition of the 311 Fan Spotlight. Let’s not waste time, here’s the story of Gerry Fey!
Omaha is where Gerry grew up. He was attending Westside when Nick, Tim and Chad were in high school. It was his friend Mike Bartholet that told him about 311’s first tape, Dammit. “He played it for me. I loved their combination of rap and thrash, it was like nothing I had heard before. So I went to Joe Voda’s Drum City on 72nd Street with my $10, and went to the back office to buy the tape from Chad’s mom. She gave everyone the once over and said do you have $10. I love their message of unity. CUTM is still one of my favorite songs.”
Show count for Gerry is around 25. His first one was at the Ranch Bowl in Omaha in 1989. As for favorite event or show, he picked 311 Day 2020. “Three nights, 105 songs, unreal…little did us fans in Vegas know it would be the last live concert in the world for awhile.”
The song “Sunset in July” is one that Gerry holds close to his heart because it reminds him of the feeling of 311 Day. He also enjoys “Good Feeling” as it reminds him of his new wife Kat.
As for lyrics that really speak to him, he loves these from the song “Too Late:” “The river cuts it’s way through stone, not through sheer force but persistence, at the end of the day the relentless always win.” Gerry said these words are a reminder to never give up.
As mentioned before, Gerry was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. He made sure his two younger brothers Adam and Derek also became 311 fans. “I enjoyed going to see 311 in Lincoln with them over one winter break.” Gerry attended the University of Kansas and is a huge Jayhawks fan. He also got his brothers into that as well. “I am also a Nebraska football fan (although lately that has been difficult). Loved growing up watching the Minnesota Twins also. I am a huge sports fan, if you can’t tell.”
Gerry worked for newspapers for quite some time, so he has lived in many places including Hutchinson, Kansas; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; West Palm Beach, Florida; Annapolis, Maryland; Columbia, Maryland; Cantonsville, Maryland; and currently Towson, Maryland. “I am a freelance graphic designer, but that has been difficult lately, so if anyone knows anyone who needs graphic design work, give me a shout :)”
Fun fact that many don’t know about Gerry is that he was close to playing in the Little League World Series. “The team that beat us in the Regional tournament went on to Williamsport.” Back to sports, Gerry said he has the kiss of death when it comes to buying jerseys of athletes. “I had a Twins jersey signed by Butch Husky and Manager Tom Kelly. Husky was released before the season was over and Tom Kelly retired after the season. I bought a John Vanbiesbrouck jersey after they went to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1996. He left the next season to go to the Rangers. The list goes on. So if you have a player on your team you don’t like, let me know, I will curse him by buying his jersey. I have the gift!”
Guilty pleasure for Gerry he said is that he loves the Game Show Network…and also the Spice Girls! When not listening to the girls or 311, he can be found cranking tunes from artists such as Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, Beastie Boys, Twenty One Pilots, Frank Sinatra, Sound Garden, NWA, and R.E.M. “Pearl Jam headlined a free concert at Kansas my freshman year, it was called Day on the Hill. Probably were 15,000 people there. Eddie Vedder climbed up the scaffolding during Porch, swung the microphone cord through the top of the stage and then swung into the mosh pit. That was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen.”
To the guys in 311, Gerry has this message: “Thank you for continuing to make great music and continuing to send the Unity message and to love your life…..it’s needed more and more these days.”
Gerry has these words for all the other fans out there:
“I have met so many amazing people through the 311 community. I’ve enjoyed meeting all of you! Thank you to this amazing community! Stay positive and love your life!”
Big thank you to Gerry Fey for sharing his story and love for 311 with us all. Much thanks and love to all of the continued support of this “little” project. Until next time, be amazing and spread that unity!
Much Love – The Runt