Hello again my friends out there in 311 nation! It’s time for the next edition of the fan spotlight. This week we meet Eddie Cross!
As Eddie grew up, he was exposed to wide variety of music such as Gospel, Funk, R&B/Soul, Hip-hop, Grunge, and Country. He also played trombone in the high school band. Then when he was a freshman at the University of Texas in 1996, the local alternative station started playing “All Mixed Up.” “The mix of genres blew my mind. I was like “THERE’S THIS??” I’d heard & liked Rage Against the Machine & the Judgement Night soundtrack, but those were just metal + rap. The addition of reggae, funk, turntables & just the melodies and fun positive vibes of 311 hit completely differently.”
Show count for Eddie is somewhere over 30. He’s seen 311 in Austin every year they’ve played there since 1996 except for the one year his parents payed him a surprise visit. He’s also seen them at a few other Texas shows, Red Rocks in 2021 and was on the last two cruises. “I was actually supposed to see 311 in Washington, DC in March 2002, but it ended up being the first show they ever had to cancel due to illness.”
Favorite event for Eddie was this last cruise in March. “As good as it felt to FINALLY get OTMFB in 2019, it felt even better to get through a 4 year wait & survive 2 bouts of COVID to make it a 2nd time. Knowing what to expect, planning with friends & realizing it wouldn’t be the last one made it much more of a vacation.” Eddie also said the show at The Majestic in San Antonio in 2022 also stands out to him. “The sound, the setlist, & the energy were just off the charts. After seeing so many shows, it was surprising to still be able to be blown away!”
The song that means the most to Eddie is “Don’t Stay Home.” ” I’m still trying to take that to heart! My introvert tendencies and my desire to experience life are constantly at odds.” As for favorite lyrics, he particularly loves the following: “For an infinite minute, let’s stop the clock and be in it. What takes you out just forget it,” and “The first straw, so small it seems impossible. The next straw vanished like shooting stars that fall. The last straw, there’s no reason for getting there at all.”
Eddie was born in Houston and grew up in a small Texas town. He grew up playing football, running track, and playing trombone. He’s been in Austin since 1995 and graduated from the University of Texas in 1999 with a degree in Sports Management. “I got to roam the sidelines and be in the press box for tons of Longhorns games. I also worked dozens of shows & concerts at our arena.”
Currently Eddie works in Security Management for the government and has also worked in radio for 15 years including 2 years producing a morning show and 8 years hosting a weekly combat sports show (covering UFC and boxing). ” I’ve been lucky enough to sit cage side & be in press conferences at probably a dozen UFC events in Texas.”
Something unique about Eddie is that he used to teach two-stepping at UT, which is how he got his Twitter handle – @eddieXperience. “One of MY ballroom dance instructors said one day “Eddie, these girls don’t realize – when they ask you to dance, they’re not just getting a dance… they’re getting an experience!”
Interesting tidbit of info about Eddie – he was actually scheduled to fly to LA on 9/11 to do a photo shoot for Cricket Wireless. “Obviously that got cancelled.” Guilty pleasure for him? “Pro wrestling! 😄 You can sometimes even catch me on my friend’s podcast “Sports Guys Talking Wrestling.”
There are many other musicians that Eddie loves aside from 311. The list includes Little Brother, RDGLDGRN, Rage Against the Machine, The Green, Hirie, Rebelution, Jidenna, Mos Def, Common, The Roots, Bruno Mars, Sublime, Brother Ali, Sarah McLachlan, Counting Crows, Samm Henshaw, Cody ChesnuTT, Black Pumas, Amerigo Gazaway, 80H Project, and Mingo Fishtrap. “I could keep going.”
Eddie would like to say these words to the guys in 311: “Release Forever Now as a single!”
Now here are his words to all the fellow 311 fans out there:
“You guys rule & I’m glad to no longer be the craziest 311 fan I know!”
Thank you Eddie for sharing your story with us all! Of course, my eternal gratitude to the readers and supporters of this blog each time. Hope you all have an excellent week and just try to keep smiling. You never know who’s life you’ll impact doing it.
Much Love – The Runt