Welcome once again my friends out there in 311 nation! It’s time again that we meet a new fan spotlight. This week we feature the other half of our fan spotlight from last week. Let’s all read the story of Cody Robinson!

First listen to the music of 311 was after work during a smoke session and his friend put on the Grassroots album. “I thought it was catchy and liked the vibe but I wasn’t hooked until I saw them in concert many years later.”

Show count for Cody he guessed is around 100. He’s been on five of the cruises and is getting ready for his second 311 Day, plus he’s seen many shows around the country. “My first show was in SLC in 2004 after my brother won tickets off the radio. I loved the energy and was hooked! I took my wife the following years and we’ve never stopped since.”

Favorite event for Cody was the first cruise. “No one knew what to expect. We spent the days just following the music. I met so many great people and signed Rody311 on just about anything I could.”

Songs that are Cody’s core favorites are “Sometimes Jacks Rule The Realm” and “Creature Feature.” “They just evolve with me to mean something different as I age.” One of his favorite lyrics is as follows: “Be positive with love, just see the good in everybody.” He said that is his goal. “I’m not the best at it but I’m trying.”

Cody was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, with 2 older sisters and a younger brother. He said he lived a crazy life, one that is hard to put into words. “I took to the skater/stoner in high school. I got into the rave scene around the turn of the century and life got even more crazy. This lead me to join the army and move to Virginia with my family for a few years.”

Now Cody makes his concert money by building robots that make the material world work. “When the robots take over, you’ll want to know me, lol. I get to travel for work a lot and like to use it to meet familia across the country. I’m an introvert so this is all outside my comfort zone but it’s worth it when I’m surrounded by such amazing people.”

Secret talent for Cody is that he says he has a vast knowledge of weird topics plus he can fix just about anything worth fixing. Something you may not know about him is that he is a narcoleptic. “I’ve always had sleep issues but was finally diagnosed in 2007. I’m use to people misunderstanding how it works but it is also the basis of my insomnia bouts where I have probably met so many of you. #sunrisecrew”

As far as other music Cody loves, he said he is into just about all music, from Ruth Etting to Die Antwoord. “Right now I’m digging on Billie Eilish, Tropidelic, Jasmine Thompson, Deftones and Tool.” Guilty pleasure for Cody? “I love Billie, Gaga, Miley, and any girl that shines through the hate they get.” He said he also watches Harry Potter way too much.

Cody would like to say these words to 311: “Thank you for making my chaos manageable.”

Now his message to all the other fans out there:

“To my friends, my Fam Bam, my haters and all who I have yet to meet, I love you! Seriously, let’s talk! Life is much too short to waste being anything less than full of love.”

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Awesome story Cody! Thanks for sharing it with everyone. That’s all for now folks, thanks for being here and being the awesome creatures that you are. Keep on shining!

Much Love – The Runt

Hello my friends out there in 311 nation! Are we ready for a new edition of the 311 fan spotlight? This week, let’s meet Cori Robinson!

In 2005 Cori won tickets to see 311. Up until then she had only heard a few songs here and there on the radio and it didn’t really strike her fancy. She decided to go to the show anyway. “From the moment they started with Omaha Stylee, I was in love. The energy drew me in and from that moment on, 311 was in my blood.”

That first show for Cori was August 6, 2005, at Usana in Salt Lake City, Utah. Show count she believes is somewhere around 65. “I lost count when flash seats and digital tickets became a thing.” Favorite show for her is the 2016 Red, White & Boom.

The song “Sunset in July” is one that means a lot to Cori. “It makes me think of all the friends I’ve made along the way and the happiness radiates from the notes.” As far as lyrics that she loves, it changes as she said the seasons of her life change. “I tend to grasp onto lyrics that fit what I’m going through in life. I have teenagers, so lately the lyric that’s been stuck in my head is “always an excuse when you need one.”

Utah is where Cori grew up. She absolutely loves music and started playing the piano when she was just 5 years old. She was also a dancer until her senior year of high school. “I wanted to be a Rockette, but I tore my hamstring and wasn’t able to follow that dream. Instead, I met my husband, Cody, at a rave January, 1999. We went on some crazy adventures that included an impromptu road trip to Canada to see Paul Oakenfold.”

Cori and her husband married a short 11 months and 7 days after they met, on November 24, 1999. “The first year we were married we welcomed our daughter to our family, Cody joined the Army, and we moved to Fort Eustis, Virginia. Our son was born there. We grew up a lot in the four years that Cody served. We experienced 9/11 as a very young family. Once Cody finished his enlistment, we moved back to Utah.”

Cori has worked for JetBlue for several years. She has also been a substitute teacher. “I like teaching high school. That’s a fun job. I’ve been a bar tender and a barista. I’ve done a lot of different things. Mostly part time and whatever works with my kids’ schedules. For the last two years I’ve been a captioning agent for CaptionCall and I love the work I do. I help the hard of hearing communicate in real time. It’s a feel good job. 😁”

An interesting fact about Cori that most don’t know is that she once had surgery, got HA-MRSA in her abdomen and almost died. “Instead the infection and the antibiotics caused my genes to mutate. I’m technically an X-men. Haha.” Talent for Cori is that she makes amazing soup. “Pickle, bacon, potato soup. If you know, you know.”

Aside from 311, there are many other artists that Cori loves. “I used to be able to play every song on the Little Earthquakes album by Tori Amos. She’s amazing!” She said that Les Claypool and Tom Petty have a special place in her heart. Some other faves are Depeche Mode, The Offspring, Keoki, Robert Miles, and Fiona Apple. She also said that last year she got to see Anti Flag, AFI, and Rise Against. “That was fabulous!” Guilty pleasure for Cori she says is mid 2000’s emo.

Cori’s words for 311: “Love you guys, so much!”

Her message to all the other 311 fans:

“High five, bro! (Wink wink)”

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Thanks Cori for sharing your story! Another great fan spotlight in the books. As always, so much gratitude for all the readers out there. I hope you all have a rockin’ week! Until next time, go be awesome!

Much Love – The Runt

Welcome back friends out there in 311 nation! It’s a new year and time we kick it off with the next edition of the fan spotlight. Let’s meet Deanna Dorcak!

It was the first time that Deanna heard 311 on the radio that she became a fan. She was 12 years old, sleeping over at a friends house, when the song “Down” came on. “Listening to that song did something to me that no ever song has done. The sound of it, the intensity, the guitars, the lyrics. Ive been intrigued ever since.”

Show count for Deanna, well she has no clue on the exact number, especially with all of the traveling she has being doing the past 5 years. She believes it’s over 50 at this point though. “2 years ago I saw them at least 10 times in that year alone. Ive attended 311 Pow Wow, been on 4 cruises, 4 311 days and a few other festivals including Langarado and Riptide. My 1st 311 show was at Hard Rock Live in Orlando’s Universal Citywalk when I acquired free tickets and went with a girl I met at a bar downtown. This was in 2004 and we are still friends today!”

Favorite show for her is a tie between her first cruise (which was cruise 3) and 311 Day 2018. “Not only was it my 1st 311 cruise, but my 1st cruise in general. It blew me away in every aspect, and I made so many long-lasting friendships that trip. 311 Day in Vegas 2018 was the ultimate set list with the basement segment. The venue itself was intimate and perfect with the background screen and lasers. The tribute to those we have lost including Meredith Hight and Renee O’Neal was emotional, and just trouncing around the Strip at night was an adventure in its own lol.”

There are many songs that mean a lot to Deanna, but if she could only choose one it would be “Let the Cards Fall.” “Not only the lyrics but how it starts off slow and whimsical then turns into a powerhouse. Always loved the playing cards being thrown up into the air. Gives me goosebumps just thinking about it now. And I always forget to bring my deck! They always seem to play that song when people least expect it.” Her favorite lyric is also the title to that song. “So simple yet profound. You cant plan or change everything in life. Things will work out or land how they are intended to. Just let it be and roll with the punches.”

Born and raised in a suburb of Pittsburgh, Deanna then moved to a small town called Spring Hill, Florida, at the age of 10. At 18 she then moved to Orlando to attend UCF. Then 11 years ago she moved to Tampa and hasn’t left because she loves it there so much! “30 mins from beaches and amusement parks. 10 mins from the airport and cruise port.” She has been a restaurant server for 18 years, making a career out of it. “The flexibility of my schedule and untaxed cash tips make traveling around to see 311 quite easy and always possible. I am blessed. You can always find me in my LED headbands and accessories on the floor at every show. I may also be carrying a blow up alien or some other trinket along with my plastic cup full of chardonnay lol. Come say hello!”

Interesting fact about Deanna is that she is always looking for the next adventure and will try anything once. “I love to travel and would love to take an Alaskan cruise or go abroad. Specifically to Greece.” What makes her unique? Her laugh! “It’s a head-turner and comes out in full force when I am having the time of my life!”

Guilty pleasure for Deanna is watching reality television. “I find it so fascinating to watch the lives of others and how ridiculous some individuals can be. I believe it’s real. Don’t judge me lol.”

When not jamming the sounds of 311, Deanna can be found listening to artists like Dirty Heads, Soja, Less Than Jake, Slightly Stoopid, Stick Figure, Tool, Matisyahu, Rebelution, The Doors and The Beatles. “I also love 80s music and classic rock. I still listen to the radio in my car.”

Deanna’s words to 311 are as follows: “Thank you. Thank you for staying true and continuing this journey together. Thank you for uniting us fans to enjoy each other and many adventures together in the future. Thank you for the places I’ve been and the memories I will cherish. Thank you for allowing your music to reach our souls and make our hearts sing.”

This is her message to all the other fans out there:

“Enjoy the good times, forget the bad times, and find something to look forward to and be grateful for every day. Life is short. Buy the concert tickets. Book the flight. Take the leap. Stoke the fire. 🤗”

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There you have the tale of Deanna Dorcak! A big thank you to her for sharing her story and of course to all of you for reading! Happy 2020 all – may this be an amazing year for everyone! Cheers!

Much Love – The Runt