Welcome back my friends in 311 nation! It’s that time, time to meet the latest edition of the fan spotlight. This week learn the tale of Devin Larm!
It was Devin’s friend Cory Gilbert who first introduced him to the sounds of 311 back during his freshman year of high school in 1999. The sounds of “Down” and “All Mixed Up” were the first two songs he heard and he was instantly hooked. “I loved how original they sounded. It was a type of music that I had never heard before and that was all she wrote!”
As for exact number of shows attended, Devin estimated it’s between 50-60. He’s been to 311 Day in 2010, 2018, and 2020, plus the 2019 cruise. First show was on August 7, 2003 at City Market in Kansas City. “I wasn’t hooked before that, I certainly was after.”
Favorite event to this date Devin said was the 2019 cruise. “It was just an amazing experience that I will never forget. 311 Days are great but someone once told me that the cruises are for the hardest of the hardcore fans and I would have to agree. The cruise is something that I’ll never miss again. The memories and friendships gained are ones that I’ll have for the rest of my life.”
For favorite song, Devin says that changes from time to time, just as his favorite album does. If you ask him next week, his answer might be completely different. At the moment, “Stealing Happy Hours” is his favorite song. “It stands out to me because it’s the song the band was playing as we went under the bridge on my first cruise. They played it again at Red Rocks on 4/19 when I was there and I had an immediate rush of memories and emotions from the cruise.”
Lyrics, he said obviously “Stay positive and love your life” is one of his faves. Other ones that stand out include “We only enter in one contest that we made up ourselves, that’s to be the 311’est” and “If you don’t have someone to do it with it’s not worth doing.”
Devin was born and raised in Salina, Kansas, and still resides there to this day. He lived in Manhattan, Kansas, for about 4-5 years at one point. “Salina is a small city of about 55,000 people in central Kansas, about 2.5 hours west of Kansas City. I grew up in a very loving and supportive household with two of the best parents a kid could ask for. I have a sister who is 3 years younger than me.” As he grew up Devin had a huge passion for sports, both playing and watching, which he carries on still to this day. “Football and baseball are what I really focused on. Baseball will always be my favorite and for the longest time I always wanted to be a professional baseball player growing up. (Still do! HAHA!) I even played some in college before dropping out and joining the workforce. I’m a huge Royal’s fan and was even fortunate enough to attend game 1 of the World Series with my dad in 2014.”
For about 7-8 years, Devin worked hard and eventually became the General Manager of a Pizza Hut, but it didn’t take him long to realize he didn’t like having his weekend be Monday and Tuesday, while all his friends were out having a good time on the real weekend. It was then he made the decision to quit and go back to school, and in 2014 he pursued his dream of becoming a pilot. “I applied to the Professional Pilot program at Kansas State University and was accepted! I started my degree in May 2014 and obtained my private pilot rating by September. Flying was amazing and like 311, I was instantly hooked. I graduated from K-State in December of 2016 with a Bachelors Degree in Professional Pilot and was hired by K-State as a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI). I still work for Kansas State University today as an Assistant Chief Flight Instructor. I get great satisfaction by instructing young, aspiring pilots who are following their dreams.”
One of Devin’s blessings in his life is his beautiful daughter Berkley, who was born in February 2016. “She recently turned 5 and is a huge factor in why I continue to push myself as hard as I do every single day. She is the light of my life and the biggest reason I decide to get out of bed every morning. She is also becoming a big 311 fan with her favorite songs being “Tranquility” and “Eons”. I can’t wait until I get to take her to her first show!”
Fun fact about Devin, he is a commercially rated multi-engine pilot. “I have taught and helped aspiring pilots to obtain a number of ratings including: Private, Instrument, Commercial, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), and Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument (CFII). Over my instructing career I have a 91% first time pass rate.” He’s also a really good baseball and golf player.
Guilty pleasure for Devin is that he’s a gamer and really always has been. ” Last year after 311 Day when the world shutdown I started playing Call of Duty Warzone with 3 other 311 friends. (Cory Gilbert, CJ Martin, and Eric Landes) This started as a way for us to have fun and not lose our minds during the shutdown and has now turned into a nightly occurrence of the four of us playing. We even have our own messenger group labeled ‘Brozone’!”
Other musicians that Devin loves include Incubus, Dirty Heads, Tropidelic, Sublime, Rebelution, and Stick Figure. “I listen to a lot of rap and hip hop too. Really love multiple genres of music!”
Devin’s message to 311 is: “Your music and existence has literally changed my life. I have so many amazing friends that I would have never had the opportunity to meet if it weren’t for the five of you and your badass music and constant positivity! THANK YOU!”
Now his message to fellow 311 fans:
“I can’t begin to explain the impact that this community has had on me. It’s truly amazing. I’ve made friendships that will last a lifetime with people that are literally scattered all over the world. I can’t wait until we are all together again! Much love!”
That my friends is the story of Devin Larm! So much gratitude to him for sharing his tale. Obviously, I send so much love & thanks to the supporters out there. I hope you all have an amazing week!
Much Love – The Runt