Well hello again my friends in Excitable nation! Here we are with the next edition of the fan spotlight. Let’s meet Toban Crosby!
Toban was in the 6th grade in the 90’s when he first discovered 311, thanks to his friend Chad Denton. He loved the beat and the bass. “SA rapping and just their rock – they covered all the spectrums.”
First show for Toban was in Burlington, Vermont, at the Memorial Auditorium in October 2001. Since then, he believes he’s seen them about a total of 30 times, although he really doesn’t keep track.
As for favorite show, he said while nothing really beats the first time, he gave any one of 311’s performances at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom in New Hampshire as a close second. “They just sound so good at that venue, and the energy is unreal.” He also mentioned that seeing them on the cruise at sea is also amazing.
Favorite song, Toban said he couldn’t pick just one. “Grassroots and the blue album have so many good songs.” Favorite lyric he chose this: “Think of all the good times, instead of wish we could times. So much better that way.”
Toban grew up in Rutland, Vermont, and playing hockey was an enormous part of his life. He still loves going to games and wouldn’t mind lacing up some skates! He also loves to play golf now and enjoys going to the beautiful courses where he lives. “I lived in Vermont pretty much my entire life until moving to Florida with my girlfriend – now my wife – in 2017. We briefly moved to Seattle for 9 months in 2018, and we now reside back in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. We love it here. I work at a restaurant on a marina and I love that I get to meet new people every day. It also allows me to meet a lot of celebrities! Through my work I’ve been fortunate enough to meet my childhood idols Bobby Orr and Wayne Gretzky among several other old timer hockey players as well as Bill Belichick, Derek Jeter, Michael Jordan and pretty much every professional golfer that lives in Jupiter – Justin Thomas, Keegan Bradley, Rickey Fowler, Brooks Koepka, & Dustin Johnson.”
Toban and Angela have two dogs who are like their kids – Penny and Winston. “We enjoy taking them to the beach when we get a chance and to parks or open fields to run and play. We still try to get back to New England to see family and for the epic Hampton Beach and Portland shows as often as we can!”
Unique attribute for Toban is that he can remember names and faces of everyone he meets. “I have a great photographic memory. It’s always come in handy with meeting new people in general and making friends with the regulars at my job!” Guilty pleasure for him? “Ben & Jerry’s 😛 …I have also been known to watch those cheesy real estate shows or Grey’s Anatomy with my wife from time to time.”
When not jamming out to 311, Toban listens to the sounds of The Beastie Boys, Def Tones, Dirty Heads, Rebelution, and Ballyhoo! “I also like some classic rock sometimes like the band Boston, Led Zeppelin, Michael Jackson… I’ve got a wide variety.”
To 311, Toban would like to say these words: “You guys have been my favorite band since 6th grade; I never thought I would have a favorite band and I am so grateful for the journey I’ve been on with you through the years – thank you.”
Now here is his message to all the other awesome fans out there:
“Stay positive & Love Your Life – see ya, bye!”
Thank you Toban for being a part of the fan spotlight! Of course, my sincere thanks to the readers each time, as always. Hope you all have an amazing week my friends!
Much Love – The Runt