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.”
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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