Hey there excitable friends! I hope you are all staying safe and well. Shall we meet a new fan spotlight? Let’s read the story of Kelli Stephens! 

Kelli was getting ready for school in the fall of 1996 with her best friend Stacy. They were watching MTV and the video for “Down” came on. “We all stopped what we were doing and were amazed at what we were hearing. At that point, I knew 311 was going to be a major part of our life for a long time. It was something about their style of music that drew me to them. I had never heard anything like that before. It was a mix of all my favorite genres in one!”

For show count, Kelli is at 73 which includes all 6 cruises, Pow Wow, and a couple of 311 Day events. First show was summer of 2006. “A group of us drove down to Indy and saw them at The Lawn at White River State Park. After seeing them live for the first time, I knew I wasn’t going to miss another summer tour, ever… That is until this year… ☹.”

Pinpointing one event that means the most was hard for Kelli because she said they are all so memorable. “With each show/experience has given me the opportunity to meet so many other excitables, which some have become very close, life-long friends. Buuuut, since I must pick one, I would have to say the sail-away show on the first cruise in 2011. I will say this is my all-time favorite moment because it was a brand-new experience for all of us, including 311. The hype at the show was a feeling I will never forget!”

There are several songs that mean a lot to Kelli. “My Stoney Baby” she said is her classic jam along with “Hydroponic.” The one song that really resonates through her soul is “Speak Easy.” “It takes me back to the “boat” (cruise, my happy place) every time I hear it. I get a bit emotional when that song comes on and it truly helps when I’m feeling a bit anxious.” One of her all time favorite lyrics is, “Musics what I need to keep my sanity.” “There are countless other quotes and lyrics that really speak to me and uplift my spirits every time I hear them. One other quote, that I try to live by is, “I’m not gonna waste life being hateful.” And the classic, “Stay positive and love your life” as hard as it is to stay positive all the time, I really try to make the best out of every situation.”

Born in Indianapolis, Kelli lived in Carmel and Arcadia, Indiana, for many years. Her mom then moved her and her two sisters up to Columbia City, Indiana, and that is where she graduated from high school. “Once I hit 18, I moved back to Indianapolis for a year or two, then found myself back in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I have been back up in northern Indiana since 04’ and this is where I feel like home is.” Once settled, she found herself working for a doctors office full time. During this, she found out that 311 was going to be playing at the local concert venue. “I was so stoked they were going to be in my home town!!! During that show I knew I wanted to work there because I knew 311 would be back and thought I might get the chance to hang out and meet them. So, I took on a part-time job at Piere’s Entertainment Center and worked there for about ten years as a bartender. I found myself working 40 hours at the docs office and about 20-30 hours at Piere’s. It was time I chose one over the other. I decided I was going to enroll in college as a returning adult and bartend my way through school. Between cash tips, and school loans I was able to fund my 311 habits and I’m not ashamed to say it. Yeah, I’ll be paying on school loans the rest of my life, but every penny spent was worth it 100%. 311 did come back to Piere’s  7 years later in 2015, but I wasn’t able to meet them. However, my boss hooked me up with an amazing VIP area for all my fellow friends and 311 peeps with quite a few free bottles and a big “chicken dinner.” That was a night I will never forget. Now, I work for a reputable company in Fort Wayne and I have a Master’s in Business Administration. It only took me about 7 years to complete my degree, but I did it and I am proud to say I am a first-generation graduate. Hopefully, now I won’t have to take out “ student loans” to fund my 311 lifestyle anymore.”

 Interesting fact about Kelli, some consider her to be psychic! “I have predicted weird events, I just have no clue how to channel it. For example, on cruise 5, we all decided to take a nap before 311’s show in the evening and of course a bit of day drinking had been going on. Everyone was up getting around and I just looked at everyone, still in a drunken sleep and said, “PNut’s dad says “Hi” guys” they all looked at me and started laughing.. I slightly remember saying it but then rolled over and snoozed for about 10 more minutes.. That night after the show we had made formal dinner reservations. Well I’m sure some of you remember the show was delayed in the middle of the set because of the weather. We ended up being super late for our reservations. Anyhow, they sat all four of us pretty quickly. As we sat there looking over the menu, guess who turned the corner??? P-Nut’s dad, and he said, “Hi guys!” We all looked at each with amusement and then right behind him was PNut!!! They sat right by our booth and were extremely nice. We had a wonderful conversation with Pnut and they even took a picture with us. And I somehow predicted this… lol. Anyway, this is a story my cabin-mates and I will never forget.”

Kelli is a total karaoke queen! She said her mother brought home a machine in the early 90’s, there were just cassette tapes with inserts that had the lyrics on them. “We would stay up four hours singing along to those cassette tapes. Then she upgraded and bought a system with 1000’s of songs. She ended up becoming a KJ on the side working every weekend at local bars. So, I would have to say I get it honestly from her. I love to do karaoke and once I get a couple of drinks in me, you better watch out because I (think) I rule that stage. Sometimes I act like it’s my show, and I’m not even that great, but once I get on stage with the mic in my hand, you better watch out!” 

Guilty pleasure for Kelli is the band Shinedown. “I’ve seen them about 5 times in concert. However, 4 out of the 5 I didn’t pay for because they played at my old job Piere’s.” She is also a sucker for reality T.V. “I love it, I watch it, I follow the people. Jersey Shore is probably my favorite and I have been watching since it came out. Second on my list is Big Brother on CBS. I actually drove to Chicago for Big Brother auditions. Unfortunately, my nerves got the best of me, and the liquor did all the talking. But that doesn’t mean I won’t try again, I’ve always envisioned myself on some sort of reality show.” 

Other artists that Kelli enjoys include Allen Stone, Amos Lee, Bad Rabbits, and that list goes on and on. I still listen to Bone Thugs, 2Pac, Biggie, Aaliyah, Missy Elliot, Jewel, Natalie Cole, and Lisa Loeb. “I love oldies, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, 2000’s and I love love LOVE Broadway Musicals (Wicked is my fave!). I grew up with a dad who was a drummer and a mother who was a lead singer, so I’ve been around music my entire life. I can honestly say I will give any genre a chance as long as it is “music to my ears.”

To 311, Kelli would like to say: “I’ve put at least one of your children through college with the amount of money I’ve spent over the years. So, keep making great music and we’ll call it even.” (She’s being funny of course!)

Kelli’s words to all her fellow fans:

“With everything going on in this world, negative or not, I hope we can all stand together to create some sense of positivity among us. My best friend Stacy was once told, by a good friend of ours, you can always find an answer in a 311 song, you just have to listen. In the words of Nick Hexum, “Stay Positive and Love Your Life!” PLUR Ya’ll.”

——————

Thank you Kelli for sharing your story of your love for 311! Many thanks as always to the readers each week also! Be kind, be strong, stay safe. Until next time my friends! 

Much Love – The Runt

Hello again 311 nation! Here we are for fan spotlight #277! Let’s get right to it and meet Mike Spalt! 

So it was originally 1995 when Mike first heard of 311. He was in a cover band and was told to learn the song, “All Mixed Up.” “With no internet to find out who this incredible drummer was that I was hearing, I knew very little of the band. But that CD stayed in my car stereo for months. I never did see them live. Transistor released a short time later and it actually turned me OFF to them!” Fast forward to the year 2007 and Mike was working in his yard when he heard a version of The Cure’s “Love Song.” He recognized Nicks voice from 10 years prior and was surprised to know that 311 was still together. “Digital music was becoming a thing and I started looking back at their catalog. Evolver and Soundsystem became regular listens and then it hit me how incredible Transistor really was! I had to see them live, and somewhere in 2008 the lyrics hit me all at once. 311 became my religion, and just at the right time. My marriage fell apart unexpectedly and 311 was there for me.”

First show for Mike was in 2007 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He has been to a total of 15 shows. Favorite show for him he said always ends up being the last show he saw. In this case, it was the Mardi Gras show that just happened in New Orleans in February. 

Song that means the most to Mike is “Golden Sunlight.” “Setting your fears aside to achieve what you want in life.” As far as lyric that he loves, it’s “Stay positive and love your life.” “It was my motto through the roughest of times.” 

Mike has only lived in the state of Louisiana. He says that 311 helped him through so really difficult times and situations that he’s witnessed. “I try to pass on the positivity to those I am around.” He is married to his beautiful wife Christine, they were married on 3/11/17 in the Colorado mountains. He currently works in the medical field, has a 17 year old son and 23 year old step son, 2 dogs named Coda and Nola, and a cat named Puddy. 

Interesting fact about Mike is that despite being from Louisiana, he loves to snowboard. He also loves everything about music including playing drums, recording music, and running sound for bands. He also loves to brew beer! 

Other artists that Mike loves include The Movement, Stick Figure, Iya Terra, Kbong, Gary Dread, Johnny Cosmic, Marc Broussard, and Korn. Guilty pleasure for him is the show “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” “Larry David is the complete opposite of me and I find it inspiring to not be like him, but laugh at the same time.”

To 311, Mike has these words: “Thank you for saving me. Your words hit me at the right time, your music helps me shake out anything that is going on in my life that I want to get rid of. Thank you for attracting some of the best fans that have become personal friends. Life is truly different with you in it.”

His message to all the other fans out there:

“When nothing seems like it’s going right, take a step back and don’t be so hard on yourself. Start fresh and crank 311, because It’s alright, wherever you are right now. That’s who you’re suppose to be now.”

——————

Great story Mike and thank you for sharing it! Much gratitude to all the readers as well. Go have an amazing week and Happy 311 Day!! 

Much Love, The Runt

Welcome back my excitable friends! It’s time we get to it and have a new edition of the 311 fan spotlight! This week we have edition #276 and it features the lovely Kevin & Misty Smith!

For Misty, the year was 1994  and it was her older brother that introduced her to the band when the Grassroots album came out. “He had it on repeat constantly. The next fall I went to my first show. It was just such a different sound than anything else that was out there at the time.”

Kevin was introduced to 311 the same year. He remembers hearing “Do You Right” on the local radio station 99X and he loved it from first listen. “I loved the emerging alternative/grunge sound so I was really big into Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, RHCP etc.  311 took the sound I loved & added that rap-rock feel that made it even better!  The rest of my family was & still is into country music as well, so my teenage rebellion consisted of plenty of 311, Pumpkins, Rage & anything but country!”

As far as show count, Misty is sitting at 58 which she hit last July in Atlanta. First show for her was in a small club in Tallahassee back in the fall of 1995. As for Kevin, he never really kept an exact count but believes he is somewhere in the 60’s. His first show was in 1996 at the 99X Big Day Out festival. “My parents dropped me & a friend off early, we saw a ton of great bands all day, saw the entire lawn turn into a big mudslide from a huge storm, then were blown away when 311 closed out the night!”

Kevin & Misty have both been to many different events over the years so it’s hard to choose just one as a favorite. Misty said that Pow Wow was definitely a top one for her and that the beach show on the second cruise was also another one. For Kevin, he said the last two 2 night events at the Tabernacle were special because they were hometown shows. “A lot of people travel in from around the country so it’s nice being able to catch up with friends in our city for a change.  Other highlights include the Cruise 2 beach show (self-explanatory); the Pow Wow since it was close to us, we love camping festivals & we met great people there that we’re still friends with to this day; 311Day 2008 when it was a true Excitable Takeover on Bourbon St., and 311Day 2018 since it was our first trip to Vegas.”

Favorite song for Misty is hard to choose because there are particular songs that she can relate to because of when and where she was when the song came out. “For example two drops in the ocean was played at mine and a Kevin’s wedding. All of Stereolithic brings good memories because that was the first album our daughter got into and learned most of the lyrics to.” For Kevin he chose the song “Hey You.” “Misty Calisoca Smith & I are getting ready to celebrate our 10^th anniversary on 3/11/20.  We used a few of the String Quartet Tribute to 311 songs during our wedding.  And at the end, we walked out to Hey You.  The song is about love for music but the lyrics can easily be directed towards a significant other.” A few lyrics that Kevin loves include “From Tokyo Bay to the Little Five Points, keep on blazing the trail, keep on rocking the joints” because he said the Little Five is a cool counter-culture neighborhood in Atlanta. He also loves the lyrics, “You’ve got to trust your instinct & let go of regret,” “Welcome to this groove you can move right,” and “The fish who keeps on swimming is the first to chill upstream.”

Misty grew up in McDonough, Georgia, with her 3 sisters and 2 brothers. She credits her older brother for influencing the music she listened to growing up. “

 We listened to a lot of Beastie boys, Nirvana, REM, various house music and 311. 311 quickly became my favorite.” Misty & Kevin met in 2001 while working at a telemarketing company. They were friends for a long time & then bonded over their love of music and going to concerts. “Once we started dating we began going to a lot more 311 events. Our first 311 Day was in 2008 and got we got married on 3/11/10. We’ve been to four 311 Days, pow wow, 3 cruises and I have been to all of the Atlanta shows since 1996. I actually won our first cruise (cruise 2) on the local radio station, 99X!”

Kevin was born & raised right in Atlanta. His first job was as a bagger for the grocery chain Kroger, then Home Depot, the telemarketing company, and finally in 2001 he started working at a new business that his father started and has been there ever since. “

 We started out selling cleaning supplies but now we also sell office products & all sorts of other business products (www.cherokeesupplyga.com- shameless plug J)”

Kevin & Misty have 2 children, Hannah who is 7 and River who was just born in early February. They currently live just outside of Atlanta and are coming up on their 10th wedding anniversary this 311 Day! Misty said, “

We have met so many great friends through our 311 adventures, many of them have become family to us. Kevin and I enjoy running the 311Atlanta Facebook group as well and often have cookouts or gatherings so that we can all stay in touch throughout the year.”

Fun fact about Misty is that she runs an Etsy shop  called Cali Soca Crafts where she makes custom cups and decals. She also has quite the poster collection. “All of the posters we have hanging in our home we have framed ourselves!” Fun fact about Kevin is that he started playing guitar when he was 13. “I bought a Mahoney signature PRS when it was first released but don’t get to play as often as I’d like.” He is also obsessed with hot peppers! “Every year I grow somewhere around 100 plants from seed.  Everything from bell peppers to the hottest Carolina Reapers, Ghosts & Scorpions.  I hope to keep improving at making hot sauce & also make flakes, powders & seasonings with the peppers.”

Other musicians that Kevin enjoys include Smashing Pumpkins, Pearl Jam, Our Lady Peace, and Stone Temple Pilots. “I’ve always been a huge fan of 90’s alternative.” Lately he’s been listening to music from Grateful Dead and Widespread Panic, plus two newer jam bands Twiddle and Pigeons Playing Ping Pong. “

 I love the song segues, transitions & 15 minute jams!!” For Misty, she loves listening to Rebelution, Bjork, Incubus, Tribal Seeds, and The Green.

Guilty pleasure for Misty comes in the form of scrapbooking. “I wish I had more time for it!” For Kevin, he loves the show Naked & Afraid. “I don’t think I could survive more than 1-2 days but I enjoy watching them try to make it 21 days.”

Kevin has these words for the members of 311: “The songs you guys created have been the soundtrack to countless amazing moments with many great people over many years of my life, and for that I’m forever grateful.”

Misty’s message to them is as follows: “I’m so thankful for this band, I have some of the greatest friends in my life because we met through 311.”

Now their words to all their fellow fans out there:

“We love being a part of the Excitable Crew with you all!! If not for all the crazy adventures chasing our favorite band together we’d have boring lives!”

————–

Thank you Kevin & Misty for sharing your story! Also congrats on the new baby! Much thanks to all the readers out there. Now go have an amazing week!

Much Love – The Runt