It’s been a minute 311 nation – I apologize for the lull in activity. I hope it was worth the wait – let’s meet the fabulous Tisha Morgan!
It was 1996 when Tisha became a fan of 311, after her first show in the same year. That show was in Dayton, Ohio. Since then she has seen them 25 times (number 24 and 25 were 311 Day 2022 in Vegas).
As for favorite show, it was hard for Tisha to pick one. “My 2nd show in Dallas, TX (1997), was the one and only time I’ve been “on the rail”, but that was before it was even a thing. I was 19, Incubus was one of the openers. My friend and I must have been rocking out and the guys from incubus were sitting side stage and noticed us. After the show, we were walking to our car and Mike Eisenberg saw us and brought us back stage. We spent hours just hanging out with him and talked to Tim, Chad and PNUT. It was long before cell phones, so the only proof I have is their autographs on my first 311 shirt.”
Honorable mention Tisha said goes to 311 Day this year. “Just the overall experience was really something special. There are members of a fb group that told my “story” and I was gifted VIP passes by Peter Raspler (manager). This is something I would have never been able to do on my own. I went solo, roomed with a fellow cancer survivor but met so many amazing people/friends. Even though I’ve been a fan for over 26 years, I truly felt like I was welcomed into the 311 “family.”
Favorite song for Tisha is “Hydroponic” and her favorite album is Music. “Not because of any special meaning or anything, but because it signifies a time in my life when everything was so simple. I was fresh out of High School and my biggest worry was having gas money and what to wear to their shows.”
Some of her favorite lyrics include ““Nothing good comes easily, sometimes you gotta fight”, “From chaos comes clarity”, and “F**k the bullsh*t, it’s time to throw down”.
For Tisha, she said her story plays out like a Lifetime movie, for real. I will let her tell it in her own words. “I grew up in a small town in Ohio, my mom passed away when I was 13, so my dad took over. Not much guidance after that, pretty much took care of myself from 16 on. I have worked hard my entire life. After 9/11, I became a flight attendant and traveled the US for about 6 years, then settle down and got married. My first daughter (London) was born in 2011, my 2nd daughter (Lily) was born in 2012. I got divorced in 2018. A few days after my divorce was final, I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. I went through a double mastectomy, 16 rounds of chemotherapy and 33 rounds of radiation and then breast reconstruction. I was a newly single mom, so I worked full time through all of my treatments and was also attending college. I made it through all the treatments/surgeries and was “cancer free” for about 18 months or so. I found out in February of 2021 that my cancer had come back and had metastasized, so I was diagnosed (again) with breast cancer, but this time I was stage 4. I have never given up the fight. I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in December 2021, bought a house and recently accepted a new position at the company I’ve been with for 7 years. Currently, I am in active treatment. I take oral chemo and hormone blockers since my cancer is Estrogen driven. I have been on this treatment for over a year now and doing really well. My scans continue to improve. I am still working full time and just enjoying my girls and life. Even though stage 4 is “not curable” I have hope that someday I can say that there is “no evidence of disease”. I will continue to fight and kick cancer’s ass because I am a f*cking warrior!”
While Tisha is pretty much an open book, something people may not know is that she is adopted. “I found some of my family because of Ancestry DNA.” She is also heavily tattooed. Talent for her is that she played a mean clarinet in High School. Guilty pleasure she said is her love for all things relating to “Friends.” “I am a hard core fan and I get shit from my friends all the time.”
For other artists she loves, her taste is very broad. “The bands at the top of my list (aside from 311) is Beastie Boys, Incubus, Justin Timberlake and mostly 80’s pop/rock and 90’s hip hop and grunge.”
For the message to 311, Tisha said she would like to get super cheesy and just say Thank You. “Just for being such a constant source of positivity in my life over the last 28 years. Thanks for continuing to make music and appreciate your fans in the way that you do.”
To all the other 311 fans out there:
“F*CK the BULLSHIT! And……Check your boobies!”
Tisha, words cannot express my gratitude for you being a part of the 311 Fan Spotlight. I wish we had met in person at 311 Day. You are a rockstar. I wish you nothing but many more positive times and 311 Day’s in your future. Thanks as always to all the readers out there.
Stay Positive. Love Your Life. Please, keep spreading the love & good karma.
Much Love – The Runt