Hey there 311 nation! Welcome to the latest edition of the fan spotlight. This week let’s meet Melody Shepard!
It was in the mid 1990’s when Melody heard 311 on the radio, plus her older sister loved them. The first show she technically saw them at was in in 90’s at The Meadows, where she was supposed to be finding and collecting her older sister. 311 was opening for Everclear. The first time that was planned for her tsee them was a meet & greet that her mom had won tickets to off of the radio. “Webster Theater in Hartford. I was a super awkward teenager, I think I was like… 14 or 15 at the time. I still have the photo.”
For show count, Melody is somewhere around 15, including 311 Day 2016 and 2018. As for favorite show, she said it was hands down 311 Day 2016. “My sister and I had discovered the Cruise. We were going to go together, but some things happened and we couldn’t go. So when I heard about the two day show in NOLA, I was like “We HAVE to go.” I was living check to check. I skimped and saved for MONTHS. Did side jobs, saved up everything I possibly could, because I knew that I would probably never be able to do something like this ever again. Being in that arena PACKED full of people with the same vibe and energy was the most insane experience of my life. I had the absolute time of my life, happy slam dancing in the aisle with an Amber ale in my hand. We had also learned of Erik’s All Star’s and we got our jersey’s the next available order session. I think it may have been one of the last batches he did. To this day, every time I hear “Island Sun” I get hurled back to that night they debuted it. And occasionally I will go on YouTube and rewatch the opening night, and get goosebumps all over again. I also got my first 311 tattoo while we were there at Electric Ladyland Tattoo. I got the 311 bars in the Mardi Gras colors.”
Picking a favorite song is obviously a difficult question for any fan, and it was the same for Melody. “There have been so many over the years and during different events in my life… If I had to pick ONE, it would be Trouble.” For a favorite line from a song, she chose this: “When it’s all laid on the line, I can’t settle for less than everything that should be mine.”
Melody grew up as the middle child of 3 girls in central Connecticut. She lived in the state her whole life but will be moving to New York state in a year or two. To fund her 311 habit, she’s always busted her butt at retail jobs or listened to the radio to win tickets. “The 311 summer tour was something I always looked forward to. Driving as far north as to experience the BallRoom at Hampton Beach in NH and driving down to Long Island to see them at a music fest when they also played with the Mighty Mighty Bosstones.”
Simple and down to Earth is how Melody would describe herself. She loves animals, being out in the woods, and peace & quiet. “Gardening is my therapy. We have two cats, a dog, an african grey, a tortoise and two frogs.” Melody has also managed to convert her boyfriend into becoming a fan. “I talked him into planning a trip out to visit his brother in NV around their show at Mandalay Bay with New Politics after we had already seen them in Hartford XD. We also went to 311 day 2018 in Vegas together, and met everyone else that had gotten stranded trying to get back to New England. I also catch him singing along in the car too.”
Want to know a fun fact about Melody? She can talk to horses! “In non-horse people talk, that just means I’ve got good horse sense.” If you can’t tell, she has a passion for animals and wildlife. “I’ve spent the last 4 years here at my home turning our yard into a sanctuary for insects. I raise Monarch Butterflies every summer, and recently have added Black Swallowtails to that list. For monarchs the only plant their caterpillar eat is called Milkweed. I’ve spent all these years cultivating it to grow in my yard as well as finding and digging up young plants to transplant to my yard. Last summer I raised and released over 200 Monarch Butterflies. We also now have the best fireflies in the neighborhood and dragonflies the size of humming birds (That I also put out feeders for) We use no pesticides what so ever and never treat our lawn.”
Guilty pleasure for Melody she said is house plants. “I probably spend more time and money on them than I “should” but I love them and they make my office look like a jungle. I’m a sucker for a Philodendron or a Pothos lol.”
When not listening to 311, Melody can be found jamming out to bands such as Linkin’ Park, Clutch, NCS, and Jules Gaia.
To 311, Melody would like to send these words: “Thank you so much for all your years of love for your fans and giving of yourselves to your craft.”
Now here is her message to all the other fans out there:
“You guys are all amazing. Everyone I’ve ever met at any of the shows I’ve been to over the years, or even just on the Familia FB page. Keep Livin’ and a rockin’.”
Many thanks to Melody for sharing her 311 story! Of course, a huge shout out of gratitude to all the readers of each edition. Have an amazing week, sending lots of light to all of you.
Much Love – The Runt