Yo I got to say hola…welcome back excitable 311 nation! Time for the new fan spotlight. We took a break for a week but we’re back in full effect – so let’s meet Chad Evans!
Summer before Chad’s senior year of high school was when the blue album came out and he was introduced to the band like many others, through hearing “Down” and “All Mixed Up.” “It was the beats mixed with the guitar riffs that made me nod my head. Bought the CD and I was instantly hooked. They remained a mainstay of my music library, but it wasn’t until over a decade later that I think I made the transition from casual fan to, well, something a bit more involved.”
As far as shows seen, Chad said he got a later start than some. He started in 2001 and really only attended the local Cincinnati shows up until 2010. Since 2010 though he’s been to three 311 Days, seen shows in 9 different states, went to see the blue album live this past July in Vegas, plus the 25th anniversary show and secret show at The Hive in Omaha (which was show number 35 for him). Out of these shows, he narrowed it down to his first 311 Day (2010 in Vegas) as his favorite. “It was my first big 311 event and first trip to Vegas and I got to attend with my best friend of over 30 years. That, along with the it being the ultimate 311 performance (that setlist…..whoa) makes it a lasting memory. I swore I would never miss another 311 Day from that point forward, and so far I haven’t swayed from that statement. A VERY close second would be the secret show at The Hive after this year’s Omaha show. I’ll never forget being there to see that in person as long as I live.”
Picking a song that means the most out of the expansive 311 catalog can be difficult, but Chad managed to narrow down a couple. “Hey You’ does so much to describe the way I feel about so much of 311’s music…”my constant companion.” The other song which ranks really high up there for me in meaning is “Eons”. The melody of the song itself along with so many lyrics that just have stuck with me I find myself quoting parts of that song almost daily.” Favorite lyrics include: “Mandatory sentence for a crime with no victim when everybody knows jail terms should be picked in the order of the pain that they cause;” “Every country ‘round the world, the people smoke the herb, prohibition is absurd, the people want it!” and “Now that I’m back to pushing pen, that weighs two hundred tons…I’d like to drop it on you and watch it all fall through.”
Chad grew up in Dayton, Kentucky, which is at the northern most tip of the state, just across from Cincinnati, Ohio. During childhood he spent his summers in Nicholasville, Kentucky, which is just outside of Lexington, where he helped his grandparents on their tobacco farm. “I developed a love of fishing and the outdoors during those summers, and I’ve carried that over to my adult life. I still enjoy hunting and fishing, and now cherish the opportunity to share my love of these activities with three daughters, ages 17, 12, and 11.”
For the past 13 years Chad has been working as a consultant for one of the largest health insurance companies in the U.S. Most of his free time is spent being a dad, which includes lots of volleyball, cheerleading, softball, archery, chorus practices, games, matches, and events. When not running around with his daughters, he can be found watching University of Michigan football, of which he’s a huge fan, as well as basketball. In his words, he has a “required allegiance” to the University of Kentucky basketball team since he’s a resident of the state.
A cool fact about Chad’s family is that his mothers parents met during World War II. “My grandmother was Welsh working in London at an ammunition factory when she met my grandfather who was serving in the Army as a jeep driver at a dance/mixer. He would eventually marry and bring her home to the Greater Cincinnati area as one of the many war brides from that era. The went on to raise 4 children and were married for over 50 years.”
Talent for Chad comes in the form of public speaking. “I won a few contests as a kid, and just never saw the nerves that others seem to experience when talking in front of people.” Guilty pleasure comes in the form of mafia/gangster movies, shows and books. “I can recite every line from ‘Goodfellas’ word for word I’ve seen it so many times.”
When not listening to 311, Chad can be found listening to artists like George Strait, Pink Floyd, Metallica, Lagwagon, NOFX, Snoop Dogg, Sex Slaves (a NYC rock band, that he said you MUST check out for yourselves), and Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. “I am pretty eclectic.”
Chad’s message to 311 is this: “Thank you for continuing to stay true to your roots and putting out amazing music which brings people from all cultures, countries, and states of mind together as one.”
To all the fans that rock this 311 nation:
“Stay positive and love your life!! Spread the word and the herb. Peace and bacon grease!”
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And that concludes our story of Chad Evans! Thank you all for reading. You are truly all amazing and the reason we continue this little adventure of learning more about each other.
Until we meet again my friends, go spread the positivity and always love your life!
Much love – The Runt