Hello again my lovely fans out there in 311 nation! Guess what? It’s time for the next edition of the fan spotlight! Let’s meet Devon Elyse!
Growing up, Devon’s dad was a drummer for a local band in St. Louis and it was around that same time that The Urge was gaining popularity. Her dad had actually played a couple of shows alongside The Urge and 311 in the early 90’s. “Fast forward to August, 2011. Some friends and I decided to attend the Pow Wow festival as a last minute summer trip. I was in a very dark place in my life as I was still grieving the horrific loss of my first born daughter Veda. I’ll never forget the way I felt after seeing 311 perform the entire Transistor set. I felt happy for the first time in as long as I could remember. I was hooked on the experience of seeing them live.”
Devon hasn’t really kept track of her live show number. First show was Pow Wow. She’s also been on the 2012, 2013, and 2019 cruises. Plus 311 Day 2020 and 2022. She believes she’s in the ballpark of another 15-20 shows aside from these. For favorite show, she said obviously 311 Day events and the cruises are epic. However last year she went to Red Rocks for the first time and said it was such an incredible experience.
For song that really stands out to her, Devon chose “It’s Alright.” “I just feel like it really centers me. No matter where I am or what I’m going through, that song just makes everything feel a little lighter.” For favorite lyrics, one that she loves is this line: “The river cuts it’s way through stone, not through sheer force or persistence, at the end of the day the relentless always win.”
Devon’s upbringing was very untraditional. Her parents divorced young and she was actually raised by her Uncle, who stepped in because her mother was battling addiction. “I had a lot of odds stacked against me, but because of my uncle I was able to attend college and obtain my nursing degree. Before I was a nurse, I was a bartender for more than 10 years. Both jobs have been lucrative enough to fund my 311 habit thankfully.” Devon is also a single mom to a beautiful 8 year old girl named Sophie, who of course, loves to jam out to 311 with her. “We live in a sunny suburb of Cocoa beach Florida and spend lots of time venturing to the beach, botanical gardens, theme parks, and I took her to her first concert at Sunfest earlier this year, she loved it!”
Interesting fact about Devon is that she was born with a cleft palette. “I had to have surgery when I was just a couple weeks old. I also still have a baby tooth that refuses to let go.” Something that Devon has realized in her adult life that makes her unique is her unspoken ability to put people at ease. “People I barely know and even downright strangers seem to flock to me and feel comfortable entrusting me with their life stories, struggles, and secrets. I love learning about people and talking through tough times, so it means a lot to know that people feel comfortable with me.”
Guilty pleasure for Devon comes in food form. “Cheesecake! I can never turn it down!!” As for other musicians she loves to listen to, Devon said she loves Taylor Swift! “I am a HUGE Swiftie. She’s an artist that I feel like I’ve grown up with. Watching her develop as a musician and a song writer has been like reading pages from my own diary. I also never grew out of my 2000’s emo phase so definitely Paramore, Fall Out Boy, Mayday Parade, AFI, etc. Lately I’ve been loving Little Stranger, Katastro, Joji, Surfaces, Jhene Aiko, Summer Walker, Halsey, Kyle Smith, Black Pumas, I could go on and on and on… I love music.”
To 311, Devon would like to send this message: “An outstanding thank you for the amazing years of music, memories, and life changing experiences you’ve provided us as fans.”
Now here is her message to all her fellow fans:
“My message to the fans is probably a little too late, but I would encourage members of the 311 community to remember why they became fans in the first place- and to focus on that instead of all of the unfortunate division occurring among the fan base. At the end of the day, it’s all about the music. 311 is down for the unity!”
Thank you so much Devon for sharing your story! As always, my love to all the readers and supporters each fan spotlight. Sending you all happy and positive vibes for an amazing week, month, year, eternity.
Much Love – The Runt