Welcome back excitable friends! It’s time for edition 275 of the 311 fan spotlight. This week let’s all read the story of Mike Tomlin! 

It was the fall of 1995 when Mike first heard the melody of “Down” and he was hooked immediately. “I remember jamming out to it. I was big into rap at the time and was drawn to the music by some cosmic force.” Then a friend let him borrow the Grassroots CD. “I never returned the CD and still have it. I went out a couple weeks later and picked up Music and the Blue album.” 

While Mike didn’t keep accurate track of his show count, he went back and looked to tally it up and he’s currently at 21. His first show was supposed to be at the 9:30 Club in D.C. back in 1996 but he ended up having to work that night. So his first show was delayed until September 1999 when he finally saw them at the HFStival in D.C. He then saw them again that same year in Virginia Beach while he was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia, serving in the U.S. Navy. 

Favorite show or event for him is a tie between 311 Day 2016 in New Orleans and the 2019 cruise. “Both were unique experiences in the own way. 311 day ’16 we sat in front of Scott Homebrew and we found out we only lived 30 minutes from each other. Yet we met each other in NOLA. Scott introduced us to all the social media groups and a lot of hard core fans. We finally found our home with the Excitable ones.” 

The song that means the most to him is “Love Song.” “I know cheesy, but this was me and my wife Leann’s first dance at our wedding, which was 4/12/08 (Nick Hexum’s birthday).” One of his favorite lines comes from a current favorite, “Too Late” – “At the end of the day the relentless always win.” 

Mike grew up on a farm in Frederick County, Maryland. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1997 until 2001 and did two tours to the Mediterranean and Arabian Gulf. He still currently lives in Frederick and is going into his 18th year working as a Quality Analyst with Wells Fargo. “I had a five year streak when I would win tickets from DC101 for shows because I was poor, but now I can save like an adult for shows.”

Interesting fact about Mike is that he cooked in restaurants for about 15 years and was an Executive Chef at his cousins restaurant. “I really didn’t think I was qualified for that title but my cousin gave me the title for a TV spot we did.” 

Guilty pleasure for Mike is classical music. “Often when needing to meet deadlines at work I will blast it to concentrate.” Aside from classical and 311, other music that Mike enjoys includes Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, Nick Hexum Quintet, Motley Crue, Twiztid, Tech Nine, and Jewel.

Mike was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis back in 2007 and he has spent the last 13 years volunteering with with National Multiple Sclerosis Society. “I have cycled my first bike MS century (100 miles, yes on a bicycle) in 2011, and have completed at least one century per year since. I have a FB page dedicated to tracking my history and spreading awareness. www.Facebook.com/MikeBikesforMS”

On the cruise Mike was lucky enough to have the opportunity to do the beer tasting with SA and Pnut. “I told SA that I was thankful that they focused on positiveness in their music and I asked P nut when they are going to release a CBD beer. This was because when I was 19 a local brewery in Frederick had a beer called Hempin Ale brewed with Hemp seeds.”

Mike has these words to all his fellow 311 fans:

“I am thankful for the fans for keeping the positivity going for all these years. Continue to love one another. The world needs it more than ever.”

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Thanks for sharing your story Mike! A great story it was. Everyone go check out his Facebook page when you have a chance. Much gratitude as always to all the readers each time. Have an amazing week & keep on smiling! 

Much Love – The Runt

Here we are again folks, it’s time for edition #274 of the 311 fan spotlight! So without further ado, let’s meet Alisha Oliver!

The year was 2012 and Alisha was contemplating ending her relationship with her fiancé at the time, plus she was very busy at work and it was all exhausting her. Her best friend at the time was ending his relationship with his girlfriend and asked Alisha if she wanted to go on a cruise that he had planned to go on. “It didn’t feel right to go with the status of their relationship.  Knowing I need a vacation and a chance to escape from reality for a little bit, I took him up on his offer and invited a girlfriend of mine.  Little did I know then that this trip would change my life forever.  From chaos comes clarity, right?”

Alisha remembers vividly the anticipation she felt boarding the ship. It was her first cruise and she didn’t know anything about the bands but didn’t care…she just couldn’t wait to be out on the ocean and out of reach from reality so she could finally relax. “The sail away show on the Lido deck was the first experience I’d had with 311.  The energy, smiles, and atmosphere was one I’ll never forget.  Even though the show was cut short due to lightning… it was an incredibly electrifying experience and immediately set my soul on fire.  I was instantly hooked.  You could say it’s all about the music, but it’s about the people too.  That energy they’ve built with the fans is unlike anything else you’ll find and I can’t get enough of it.”

Alisha has always been amazed by the people who know their exact show count…that isn’t her! She’s been on every cruise since that fateful one in 2012. She also has traveled to New Orleans for 311 Day and to Omaha for the anniversary show and secret show that happened afterwards. Favorite show so far has been the beach show on that first cruise for her. “I have goosebumps right now just thinking about it as I type.  That.  Was.  INCREDIBLE.  Take me back?!”

Picking a song that means the most to her is difficult because there are many that mean so much to her for a variety of reasons. The one that really connects to her every time is “Beyond the Grey Sky.” “In 2012 I met Nick Stup.  His giant teddy bear self with that infectious smile sitting in the narrow hallway greeting people as they came down the hallway.  He was in the room directly across from us and seeing his friendly face consistently put a smile on mine.  We became great friends even after we went home, like family… often talking on the phone, exchanging texts about life and our kids.  It was just another thing I loved about this band… they brought so many wonderful people into my life.  When the band played Beyond the Gray Sky at 311 day in 2014, I cried.  Seeing Phil flying through the crowd, I smiled.  Throughout the years since, we’ve lost some really great familia, but when this song comes on…. we all come together and remember and that brings me peace.”

One of her favorite lines comes from “Creatures (For A While)” – “I’d surely like to rest but the energy gets the best of me. It’s been a wild ride, I wouldn’t change a minute. I can’t slow down inside, guess that’s why I live it.”

Alisha was born in Oklahoma. Her mother unfortunately had some struggles with alcohol so she ended up living and being raised by her grandparents from 7th grade through high school. “I had to grow up early and take care of my brother at the age of 7, so I didn’t really have a childhood of sorts.  The struggles of an abusive parent though is what made me fall in love with music.  It was my escape.  I could put my headphones on, close my eyes and escape to any other place I wanted.  It was all I had, even into my early 20’s.”

At the age of 22-23 Alisha was traveling around the U.S. and modeling to pay the bills while running from anything that would take her away from that free feeling she was craving. Then at the age of 23 she found herself pregnant with her son and decided she needed to plant herself back in reality to build a stable life for him. “Ever since I’ve been a workaholic so I could provide a safe space for him and fund special little adventures for the two of us.  Music was my first love, but being a mother has been my greatest love.  I can’t wait to share the cruise experience with him one day…. 2021, Jaythan and I are coming for you!”

Another artist that has meant so much to Alisha is Stick Figure. When she is at work and just tired and stressed out, she can put their music on and drown out the rest of the world. “His voice just does something I can’t effectively express with words.  It’s a feeling you just can’t describe, but I know many people reading this will know just what I’m talking about.”

Guilty pleasure comes in many forms for Alisha. First one is sushi! “I’ll eat the hell out of some sushi and won’t feel guilty at all.” Second guilty pleasure for her is garbage T.V. “My mind goes a million miles an hour, so watching garbage TV at night before bed is the only way I’m able to silence my brain.”

Alisha’s words to the members of 311 are: “Thank you for creating music that provides me a safe place to escape to and for bringing such wonderful people into my life.  I never knew what kind of an impact you would have on my life when I stepped onto the boat, but I’m thankful for it every day.”

Now here are her words to all the other fans out there:

“One of the things that made me fall in love with this group and its fans is the unity and positivity we experience when attending these concerts or events.  We live in a world that’s very much divided right now and it pains me to see.  Imagine how wonderful the world would be if we could come together as one, not necessarily with the same beliefs on everything, but a mutual respect for one another.  When you see something you don’t like, you have a choice on whether you respond with love and compassion, or hate.  Is it always easy to choose the right response?  No,  but we can always try to be better than we were yesterday.  Thank you to all of you I’ve had the pleasure of meeting over the years.  My life is more full with you in it.”

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Great story Alisha and thank you for sharing it with everyone! Much appreciation to all of you who read these posts each week. You are all amazing! Until we meet again…cheers all and have a fantastic week!

Much Love – The Runt

Here we are again all- edition #273 of the 311 fan spotlight! I decided I would start numbering all of them from here on out as we head towards the magical number of 311! This week let’s learn all about the story of Amy Tate!

The year was 1995, the blue album had been released and Amy just heard the song “Down” for the first time. All it took was hearing SA say the line, “We be freaky and we wanna stay” and she was hooked! “They just had this funky sound that I had never really heard before.”

First show for Amy was with her brother Eric at the Filmore in San Francisco. She is unsure of the year. Since then she has attended a total of 41 shows, including four 311 Day events, three cruises. “Each concert is always a different and amazing show.”

Of the 41 shows, Amy’s favorite so far was 311 Day in New Orleans in 2008. “They played a 64 song set and it was the best night ever, Later i found out that Chad Sexton was sick but played through like a champ. I was also honored to hang out with Abby (Pnut’s wife) for a while during the show.  All the shows I go to are amazing, the friends and relationships that i have made through the 311 community has been the best, Being at a 311 concert is like going to an old friends house with great music and people. I really appreciate all the friends that i have made.” 

Song that means the most to Amy is “Beautiful Disaster” and she says it’s her life song. “I’ve been a butterfly in the wind my entire life and it speaks to my heart and soul. So many more mean a lot to me. Strong all along has gotten me through some difficult times in my life reminding me who i am and what i am capable of. Sun come through has always reminded me that whatever is going on there is always something brighter coming.”

One of her favorite lines comes from the song “Prisoner:” “Trapped in a material plane, she wants to fly and they think she’s insane. But she knows what she know, give that girl wings and that’s all that she wrote.”

Amy was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, but then her mom decided it was too cold so they moved to the bay area in Florida. She has lived their most of her life in a few different places including Apollo Beach, Ruskin, Riverview and Brandon. After Amy’s mom passed away she moved out to California to be closer to her brother. She lived in the San Francisco area for 8 years and then moved down to the Los Angeles area and has been there about 4 years. “I really enjoy living in California.”

Something that people may not know about Amy is that about 6 years ago she reconnected with her first boyfriend, her first love from when she was 13. “I was a career women kind party girl, butterfly in the wind if you may.  He had lost his wife to cancer leaving him with 5 kids. After connecting with him online after 3 weeks of talking on the phone i packed my stuff and moved from LA back to Tampa to be with him. Well since 5 kids weren’t enough for us I was surprised to find out that I was to have a little one myself. Mind you I was 41 when I got pregnant so yea, it was quite a surprise. We just celebrated her 2nd birthday. So I not only got to fall in love with the same person twice in a lifetime, he gave me the most precious daughter.”

Talent for Amy is that she can tie a cherry stem with her tongue! Guilty pleasure for Amy is that she is a huge “Criminal Minds” fan. “I’ve seen ever episode at least 2-3 times. I have a big crush on Shemar Moore Aka Derrick Morgan.”

Amy says she has a vast music interest. She grew up listening to Depeche Mode and 80’s hair bands. She also loves artists such as Rebelution, Dirty Heads, Badfish, Breaking Benjamin, Disturbed, Stevie B., Candlebox, and Garth Brooks.

Amy’s message to 311 is: “Thank you for giving us the music that has saved lives, made incredible friendships and makes your face melt live. You are all amazing!”

Now her words to all of her fellow 311 fans:

“Enjoy the time you have, life can be taken from you or a loved one in a second. Be more present in your life and the life of others. And of course Stay positive and love your life!”

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Great final message to everyone Amy! Thank you for being a part of this and thanks to all of the people who read each week of course. As 311 says, “This moment is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present.” Until next time, keep being awesome!

Much Love – The Runt